Allez Paris Eyes Final Shot at Classic Qualification

Nothing would give Cluden trainer Les Gordy a bigger kick than to have a shot at the north’s biggest two-year-old race with his home bred filly Allez Paris.

But the promising daughter of Kobayashi, the result of a $1000 service fee, is running out of time to qualify for the big prize – the $100,000 Lawrence & Hanson Townsville 2YO Classic on June 8.

She has one final chance to earn enough prizemoney to make the final field when she tackles the Ladbrokes QTIS 2YO Mdn Hcp (1200m) at Cluden on Saturday.

At this stage Allez Paris may not be among the headline contenders, but she’s shown enough promise with two placings in three starts to date to give Gordy hope.

She turned in an eye-catching effort on debut for a close second at Ipswich and two weeks ago was a luckless third as a short priced favourite at Cluden.

Gordy bred the filly from his former good mare Allez Troienne, and knows it’s likely to be a make or break race on Saturday for her Classic hopes.

“I think with the two-year-olds that are around and whatever comes from down south and the north, she really needs to win it or at least finish second to have a chance to get in it,” Gordy said.

“But ultimately we want to win on Saturday to be a bit of chance in the classic.

“We bred her to the good mare we had Allez Troienne and we’ve put a lot of work into this filly.

“I sent her down south to get her educated with Michael Nolan at Toowoomba and he’s done a fantastic job with her.

“I think she’s right up to a lot of the two-year-olds around with the good amount of work she’s done.

“I’d say she’ll be pretty hard to beat on Saturday but anything can happen in racing.”

Gordy was convinced Allez Troienne would be a worthy broodmare after showing talent with a number of wins at Cluden before breaking down.

He was quick to snap up a booking for the mare to Aquis Farm’s then fledgling sire Kobayashi who was unproven and at a bargain basement fee.

Kobayashi is now proving a highly popular Queensland stallion with breeders after producing Brisbane black type winner Mishani Lily and Sydney Group performer Midnight In Tokyo.

“I wanted to breed from the mother because she just had too much ability. If she hadn’t have broken down I thought she could have gone on to win some good money for us,” Gordy said.

“I always thought if she could pass on a bit of that ability we’d end up with a nice horse and her first foal, Allez Paris, has got ability.

“I was lucky. I got her in to Kobayashi in his first season at stud and his fee was $1000. It’s $15,000 now.”

“We’ve got another one on the way. Allez Troienne is currently in foal to Kiss And Make up.”

Gordy has high hopes for a big day on Saturday with three other runners including his progressive sprinter Demon Award who will tackle the Ladbroke It Open Hcp (1200m).

The four-year-old is back from a three week paddock break to reset his campaign after indifferent performances where he over-raced but still recorded a win and a second.

Demon Award is on a path towards the winter carnival but Gordy is in no hurry with the smart four-year-old.

“He’s had a nice freshen up for a few weeks in the paddock. He had a trial and went well, although he wasn’t asked to do too much,” Gordy said.

“I’ve been able to get a couple of nice gallops into him since. He galloped really good on Tuesday on the grass and I think he’ll be up to it on Saturday.

“He’s beaten most of the horses he’s up against and on his work I give him a good chance.

“We’ll see where he takes us. He really needs a couple of wins to be able to qualify for a race like the Cleveland Bay. But if it’s not this year, it might be next year.

“If he continues on the path that he’s been on since I’ve had him then I think he’s got a chance to get there.”

The stable will also saddle up Store Beach and Ratalouie in the Ladbrokes Mates Mode Mdn Hcp (1400m).

Pictured: Demon Award cruises to victory at Cluden in March. He will resume his progress towards the winter carnival at Cluden on Saturday and is one of four runners on the day for trainer Les Gordy.

See the racing calendar for upcoming race days.