Exciting filly En Francais will take a significant step in her career when she makes her city debut at Morphettville on the weekend.
Trainer Jake Stephens had flagged a potential Queensland raid for the daughter of Puissance De Lune following an impressive Gawler win on debut when she rounded up rivals from last before winning by 3.7 lengths.
Stephens had a race in Melbourne in mind for En Francais at Flemington earlier in the month before a minor setback meant they backed off on her campaign.
“She had an argument with a horse in the truck,” Stephens said.
“They had a bit of a kicking match, she just took some hair off. It wasn’t much but it was enough to make us ease up on her.
“It’s actually worked out for the better. She was able to put a bit of weight on and has muscled up a bit more – and she’s eating better than ever.”
Despite the break between runs, Stephens said he couldn’t fault her returning to the races despite being well shy of her peak fitness.
“She seems pretty good,” he said.
“She’s obviously not full wound for this one and ideally I’d like to be going to 1400m rather than the 1550m, but in saying that, it might work out well (because) they might go a little bit slower.
“She’s had a few good gallops, and had a little bit of a blow on Tuesday and she seems happy and well within her self.
“Hopefully Todd (Pannell) can get her to settle and if she’s good enough she should be thereabouts, even on the Parks track.”
Stephens is hoping for a change in fortune after two luckless runners at Strathalbyn on Wednesday.
