Christmas Stakes a better option for Generation
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable thought long and hard about the best option for Generation before deciding on a race at Caulfield.
Generation will run in the Listed Christmas Stakes (1100m) on Tuesday having been scratched from the Listed Kensington Stakes (1000m) at Flemington last Wednesday.
Maher and Eustace assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said the decision to head to Caulfield was based on Generation’s preference for racing around a corner.
Generation has raced down the straight on two occasions previously, finishing out of the money each time, while he is a dual winner at Caulfield.
The slightly longer Christmas Stakes, 1100m compared to 1000m, was also a contributing factor.
“We just thought the 1100 metres, a little bit further and being around the bend would be more suitable,” Turnbull said.
“He ran terrific at Cranbourne last time but probably just drew in the wrong part of the track that day.
“He’s down in class on previous campaigns, but he’s well within his limits to win a race like that.”
Generation has gone 15 starts without a victory having taken out the Group 3 Manfred Stakes at Caulfield in February 2022.
The entire has been a cause of frustration for the Maher and Eustace stable having featured in the placings in a number of those starts, without winning.
“As a young horse Ciaron and Dave thought he would reach a high level, but as he went into his later three and four-year-old seasons, he probably levelled out a touch,” Turnbull said.
“He’s better than Listed grade, and I think he’s up to this race, but he needs to have everything go right.
“He’s very much a momentum horse. If he’s stopped in a race, he can lose his way very quickly.
“He’s a horse that you have to work with, rather than making him do it.
“He’s a bull, a bit of a thinker, but if he gets a smooth run, he can certainly win a race like that.”
With Craig Williams not riding at the Boxing Day meeting, Irish jockey Dylan Browne Mcmonagle takes the ride on Tuesday.
More Racing News
Antino up for G1 Kingsford Smith Cup challenge
Tony Gollan knows this Saturday’s Kingsford Smith Cup will be the toughest test of Antino’s career, but he is confident the five-year-old can be a factor in the $1 million event. Queensland’s leading trainer has described the 1300-metre event, one of two Group 1 races at Eagle Farm this Saturday, as the race...
Selino prepares for Brisbane Cup title defence
Finding suitable races for a dour stayer at this time of year is a challenge for even Australia’s most accomplished horsemen, just ask Chris Waller. Waller has his sights set on Selino defending his Brisbane Cup crown but says working out how to get him there has required a bit of novel...
The Black Cloud descends on Randwick rivals
Having begun the day questioning how well The Black Cloud had come back this campaign, Joe Pride ended it by labelling her a stakes-class horse in the making. The Proven Thoroughbreds filly took her record to three wins from four starts with a rousing first-up victory in Saturday’s Taylor Construction Handicap (1000m)...
Scarlet Oak wins Roses to earn G1 Queensland Oaks favouritism
Chris Waller has labelled Scarlet Oak a “rising star” after the lightly raced filly staked her Group One Queensland Oaks claims with a classy win over stablemate Mare Of Mt Buller in the Doomben Roses. The filly has come a long way in a short time, making a winning debut in New Zealand in...
Le Ferrari leads home Lindsay Park quinella at Sandown
A return to Sandown has paid a dividend for Lindsay Park galloper Le Ferrari who led home a one-two finish for Ben, Will and J D Hayes. Le Ferrari over-ran stablemate Rheinberg to claim the Thoroughbred Club Of Australia Handicap (1400m) on Saturday. Ridden by Ben Allen, Le Ferrari ($10) overhauled Rheinberg ($7.50) in the final...
Queensland tilt among the options for Neasham 2YO
A belated shot at the Brisbane winter carnival is among the options for lightly raced filly Aemelius after she upstaged a handy field of two-year-olds to win the opening race at Randwick. Having just her second start, the Annabel Neasham-trained youngster, who started at $12 with betting sites, went back to last...
Sargent hoping Casual Connection can earn a Brisbane Cup berth
John Sargent is crossing his fingers that Casual Connection’s narrow victory at Randwick will give him a sufficient ratings boost to squeeze into the field for the Brisbane Cup. A renowned trainer of stayers, Sargent saddled up two runners in the two-mile race last year, Essential Sky who finished fifth and Outlandos ninth, and...
Bois D’Argent upsets rivals in G1 Doomben Cup
Trainer Annabel Neasham has landed a second victory in the Doomben Cup with a horse she said was well over the odds. Imported galloper Bois D’Argent held off a late bid from New Endeavour to follow the win of Zaaki for Neasham in 2021 in the Group 1 2000m weight-for-age contest. Ridden by Blake...
Timely Sandown double for Dan O’Sullivan
The Ballarat stable of Dan O’Sullivan is enjoying a purple patch of form in the metropolitan area which has included a race-to-race double at Sandown. O’Sullivan welcomed back to the winner’s enclosure Way Up High in the Sportsbet Photo Finish Handicap (2400m) before Matriarch Rose took out the Stow Solutions Handicap (1600m) on Saturday. The...
Trip test next for Lady In Pink
A return to Sandown has brought out the best in the Leon and Troy Corstens-trained Lady In Pink who will now be stepped up in trip for a race at Flemington. Lady In Pink took out the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1600m) on Saturday and will head to Flemington for a 2000m...