By Isaac Murphy
Trainer Michael Nolan says even he's been surprised by the meteoric rise of Miss Cavallo, who continued her rich vein of form in Saturday's QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap at Doomben.
Miss Cavallo finished over seven lengths off the winner in an inconspicuous debut on the Sunshine Coast last December and was quickly tipped out for spell.
Four months later the QTIS filly has pocketed over $200,000 after a patient ride from Dale Smith saw her record her second win this prep in impressive fashion.
“She went no good her first start and we weren’t really sure what we had, but since we brought her back she’s been a different filly,” Nolan said.
Miss Cavallo resumed at Doomben in late February, reeling in Tony Gollan's short-priced favourite Sugar Boom as a $61 shot and proved it was no fluke when she finished second behind The Odyssey in the QTIS 2YO Jewel.
“We expected improvement, but she surprised everyone winning first up and then after she went and ran a big race at the QTIS Jewel I had a little more confidence coming into this week,” Nolan said.
“We thought we had the best filly in the race and Dale (Smith) rode her for a bit of luck and it came her way.”
“She’s an improving little filly who’s won a lot of money for us now, so we have to decide what we do going forward.”
Nolan said Miss Cavallo’s quick ascension had left him with a predicament; spell or push on?
“She may have a small break and come back for the winter, we don’t really know if she’ll measure up to the Sydney horses, time will tell,” Nolan said.
“We’ve got to figure out what to do with her now, she’s given us options we didn’t think we’d have it’s a nice problem to have.
“She could get the 1400 metres now, but that’s something we want to keep up our sleeves until we possibly build her up to the mile.”
Nolan gave a shout out to Basil and Diane Nolan as well as the late Basil Nolan Junior for their roles in getting the filly to where she is.
“A big cheerio to Basil and Diane up there in Warwick they bred her and Basil junior sold her to me, I know it’s a huge thrill for them at the moment so we’re just trying to enjoy the ride," he said.
Hoop Dale Smith couldn’t speak highly enough of the filly..
“She’s got that attitude about her, where she walks with a bit of swagger,” Smith said.
“She’s such a versatile filly she switches off and then when you ask her she has the ability to flick the switch and let go.”
“It might be a bit of an early crow, but she might be a horse that will line up for the JJ Atkins, I’ve got a big opinion of her.”