As a Group One winner in New Zealand, Ulanova (NZ) (Santos) has paid the penalty for that success ahead of her Australian debut at Caulfield.
Now in the care of Anthony and Sam Freedman, Ulanova will represent the stable, along with De Sonic Boom (Spirit of Boom) and Tiz Enuf (Rich Enuff), in the Gr.3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) on Saturday.
A former member of the Stephen Marsh team in New Zealand, Ulanova has been in the care of the Freedman’s for around three months and carries topweight on Saturday.
Sam Freedman said the filly had arrived in great order but had taken quite a deal of work to get her into racing trim for her Australian debut.
“She’s a good doing filly that has had three trials and she’s trialled up well every time,” Freedman said.
“These Kiwi’s, they can come out and make everyone look sub-par or they can go the other way, so hopefully she can excel.
“But she looks right there for those filly races.”
Freedman said the stable would get a better idea as to her ability following Saturday’s outing.
He said while she has shown ability in jump-outs at Mornington, Caulfield and Flemington, it was now time to show that on race day.
“She’s a sprinter. She puts herself up on the speed and she looks pretty bombproof,” Freedman said.
Ulanova is a $10 chance in latest markets, as is last start Moonee Valley winner Tiz Enuf while De Sonic Boom is the $81 outsider of the trio.