Russian Alliance and Abounding have produced a thrilling ding-dong battle down the Sunshine Coast straight, with the former and Kevin Kemp-trained filly getting her head down and holding a small margin on the line to take out the Group 3 Ken Russell Memorial Classic.
The winner has now extended her winning streak to five straight, after taking out the Group 3 two-year-old feature, defeating Abounding by a flared nostril and Trifling her finished a couple of lengths off them in third place.
Russian Alliance, a daughter of Russian Revolution, jumped as a $4 second favourite with online bookmakers, and even though she was clearly headed and had half a length to pick up on the eventual runner-up, this filly showed a very strong determination to win and get up off the canvas to win.
With the Group 3 victory, it gave her trainer his first Group 3 victory of his career, and if he holds on to this filly, he could have a chance at winning a Group 1 in a couple of weeks.
2023 Ken Russell Memorial Classic Replay – Russian Alliance
After recording his first Group 3 victory in the Ken Russell Memorial Classic, Kevin Kemp spoke post-race about one of his biggest career successes to date.
“It's easy to train the good ones,” Kemp said of his filly.
“She was so good today, that's my first Group 3 win as a trainer so we can go and celebrate with a few drinks now!
“I was a bit worried 100 metres out, because I thought the other horse had us beat. But she showed great fight and she's just a beautiful filly.
“It's just nice to win this one, we'll worry about the next race next week.”
Larry Cassidy has now ridden this filly four times for three wins and he may want to stick with her, because she looks to have a big future in store.
“I rode the filly at her first start, and I've always really liked her,” Cassidy said.
“I was pretty pleased when he came to town with her, and I knew she'd be hard to beat today because she's just so gutsy.
“We got pole-axed down the back straight and she's not that big, but she withstood it.
“I don't think further will be any trouble, she should get 1400 metres no problem.
“I'll leave it to Kevin but I would've thought she should have a crack at some good races over the carnival, because she's earned it.”
Russian Alliance is now a $12 chance with online betting sites in the BRC Sires' Produce Stakes futures markets.