Al poised for Winter Cup test
Chris Waller believes Al Aabir has returned a better horse this preparation and can atone for a luckless last start defeat when he tackles the Listed Winter Cup on his home track.
The four-year-old was held up behind a wall of horses in the straight before eventually getting clear and steaming home for a close third behind Outlandos and Sir Lamorak over 2400m at Rosehill two weeks ago.
While Al Aabir will have the bar raised to stakes company for the first time on Saturday, Waller is convinced the lightly-raced gelding is ready for the challenge.
“Al Aabir was very unlucky last start but seems to have gone to a new level this preparation,” Waller said.
“On Saturday, the conditions, barrier draw (three) and distance all look to suit and therefore he should be very hard to beat.”
Al Aabir is a $3.20 unibet favourite to deliver Waller back-to-back Winter Cups (2400m) following the win by Irish Sequel last year.
He will also be represented in the race by topweight Desert Icon and dour staying mare Shameless Miss and expects both to be competitive.
Desert Icon has been slightly below par in two runs since his excellent first-up second in the Hawkesbury Cup, but Waller has toyed with his training regime and added blinkers for the first time.
“Desert Icon has been racing OK. We have mixed his work up since his last run, including a bit of jumping which has seen him bouncing on and off the track so if that is any guide, I think we can see him improve,” he said.
“Shameless Miss seems to have come back better this preparation and is getting up to a more suitable distance on Saturday.
“It would be nice to see her run top-three and gain some important black-type.”
Shameless Miss was doing her best work late when coming from near-last to finish just over three lengths from Bois D’Argent in the Lord Mayor’s Cup (2000m) last start and has a strong 2400-metre record with two wins and a placing from four attempts at the journey.
More Racing News
Extragalactic's Flemington mission in McEwen Stakes
While many in the racing world will lament the closure of the old Moonee Valley track, trainer Trent Edmonds isn't lamenting the timing of its renovation.This Saturday marks the first Cox Plate meeting to be held away from 'The Valley', and Edmonds is set to be at Flemington with Extragalactic,...
Blind Raise's faith rewarded with Cox Plate start
Trent Busuttin is aware that if the primary goal was to secure a Group 1 victory, the more prudent strategy would be to send Blind Raise to Sydney for this Saturday's Spring Champion Stakes.Nevertheless, he also recognises that the type of opportunity that has arisen this year is not a...
Caulfield Cup fall victim Half Yours is back home and doing well
Good news has emerged regarding the riders involved in the Caulfield Cup, with the Victorian Jockeys Association reporting both have been discharged from hospital.Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were transported to the Alfred Hospital after a dramatic fall during the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.The sequence of events saw Half Yours,...
Mr Brightside's Flemington Mile participation uncertain
The Lindsay Park training outfit, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, will hold off on confirming Mr Brightside's start at Flemington until the acceptance stage.Mr Brightside is expected to be nominated for the Group 2 Kia Ora Stud Mile (1600m) this Saturday, though Ben Hayes indicated he is only...
Warwoven's Cox Plate Prospects to be Decided by King's Ride
Melbourne's racing scene is abuzz as Sydney jockey Rachel King prepares to reunite with Warwoven for a crucial track gallop. This workout is designed to give the final go-ahead for the Bjorn Baker-trained colt's potential entry into the esteemed Cox Plate at Flemington.King, who celebrated a Caulfield Guineas victory aboard...
Infancy's The Invitation prospects while in foal
Dual stakes winner Infancy is eagerly awaiting a potential start in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick, a race that could significantly boost her career accolades before she transitions to her role as a broodmare.The six-year-old mare has recently been served by the promising young sire Anamoe. Her trainer,...
Tempted claims The Everest crown in thrilling renewal
The tenth running of The Everest delivered a familiar outcome at the top but with a new champion crowned, as Tempted outdueled Ka Ying Rising before a record-breaking crowd of 52,110.For trainer Ciaron Maher, this victory represents his second success in The Everest, building on Bella Nipotina's triumph in 2024....
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...