Kalaxana appreciates step up in trip at Gowran

Kalaxana is progressing nicely with racing and appreciated the step up in trip to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Fillies Maiden at Gowran Park.

Trained by Michael Halford for the Aga Khan, the daughter of Rock Of Gibraltar filled the runner-up spot on her previous two starts over a mile and enjoyed this extended nine-furlong distance.

The evens favourite was ridden to lead under two furlongs out by Chris Hayes, and kept on well inside the final furlong to beat Echo Park by two and a half lengths. Side Effect was a further two and a quarter lengths back in third.

Halford said, “She had a lovely run in Naas and was always going to appreciate the step up in trip. We’ll probably look for a bit of black type, and she could go for the Oaks Trial at Naas later this month.

“She’s a big girl and you would imagine she would only get stronger and improve with racing. She has a lovely attitude and handles that ground well.”