New Zealand sprinter Alabama Lass auditioning for spring carnival at Flemington on Saturday

The Group 1-placed Alabama Express filly, trained by Ken and Bev Kelso, opened $3 favourite for the Listed HKJC World Pool Sprint Classic (1100m) with champion jockey Craig Williams in the saddle.

Ken Kelso, a 13-time Group 1-winner, has ruled out sticking around for the Group 2 Arrowfield Sprint (1200m) in Sydney next month for the “one and done” Flemington straight reconnaissance.

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“You got a chance of getting wet weather in Sydney in the autumn, so we looked at this,” Kelso said.

“It’s a good option, nice stake money, even though it’s Listed, to get some Aussie black type and go down the straight, is the plan.”

Twice Group 1-placed Alabama Lass has won five of eight starts and been runner-up three times.

Two Group 1 defeats, NZ 1000 Guineas (1600m) and Railway Stakes (1200m), were on wet tracks.

Kelso, who won the Group 1 Australian Guineas at Flemington with Legarto, has deferred tactics to Williams but remained confident Alabama Lass would handle the straight.

“She’s not a mad tear away,” Kelso said.

“She doesn’t have to lead … she can take a sit if she wants.

“See how she measures up really, we’ll be a lot wiser after Saturday.”

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Vestas ($6.50) is second favourite from First Settler ($8), Daggers ($11), Sweethearted ($12) and Gatsby’s ($16).

“I don’t really know a lot of them,” Kelso said.

“They tell me Price’s horse (First Settler) goes all right and Waller’s (Gatsby’s), my Aussie man tells me, I’ll leave the form up to Craig.”

Kelso has trained 197 winners in partnership with wife Bev including 11 at the highest level.

Originally published as New Zealand sprinter Alabama Lass auditioning for spring carnival at Flemington on Saturday