Stablemates set to clash down Flemington straight
Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock have their eyes focussed on a winter series final at Flemington with Typhoon Titmus.
To get to that race, Typhoon Titmus will need to run in a heat and earn points, but first the filly needs to get some match fitness.
That fitness will take the form of another sprint race at Flemington on Saturday where she will join stablemate in the ATA Trainers’ Trust Handicap (1100m).
Following Saturday’s outing, Typhoon Titmus is scheduled to return to Flemington on June 17 for a heat of the Leilani Series (1400m) and back-up again in the final, again over 1400m, on July 1.
Typhoon Titmus resumed her winter campaign over 1200m at Flemington on May 20 and the natural progression would have been to 1400m on Saturday, but de Kock said the filly was still underdone.
“We were very happy with her first-up run,” de Kock said.
“But she was very much underdone so that is why we’ve brought her back to another sprint race before we step her up in distance as we feel she is still slightly underdone.
“This should top her off nicely for two weeks’ time when we go into a heat of the Leilani Series over 1400 metres, and she’ll be ready by the time the final comes around.”
De Kock said the stable always had two pathways they could take with Typhoon Titmus.
While Typhoon Titmus builds on her fitness, Clock Strikes has proven a consistent sprinter winning twice during March and following up with two solid efforts at Sandown.
“His last two starts have been good, without being famous,” de Kock said.
“He should enjoy the straight racing, I would think. It’s a competitive race and it will be nice to see where we stack up.”
On ability, de Kock said Typhoon Titmus, who was placed in Stakes company on two occasions last spring, would be in front of her stablemate, but in a straight-out sprint, Clock Strikes may have the edge.
“They’re both at completely different stages of their preparations,” de Kock said.
“He (Clock Strikes) would be the sharper, more forward one, for sure.”
More Racing News
Concord Connie eyes Victorian Group 1 success
Charlotte Littlefield, the Pakenham-based trainer, is opting against chasing substantial prize money in interstate races with Concord Connie, focusing instead on securing a Group 1 win within Victoria.The exciting mare, Concord Connie, has undergone four weeks of preparation and is being readied for her return, with the Group 1 Empire...
Midnight Dynamite's Path to the Big Dance After Rosehill Win
Connections of Midnight Dynamite are keen to see the horse contest a $3 million prize following his commanding performance in the Winter Challenge at Rosehill.Having added Saturday's stakes race to his triumph in last month's Listed Civic Stakes (1400m), the gelding is now slated for the Coffs Harbour Cup (1600m)...
Bold Soul's future may be over jumps after Flemington success
Connections have found Bold Soul, trained by Patrick Payne, to be a good earner on the flat, but his future might be better suited to hurdles.Bold Soul secured the Deane Lester Flemington Cup 1849 (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday, adding to his seven prior wins from 33 starts and boosting...
Sword Of Legacy's determined win follows Band Of Brothers' Ramornie success
Matthew Dunn's stable has enjoyed a prosperous week, capped by Sword Of Legacy's hard-fought victory at Rosehill. This triumph arrived just three days after Band Of Brothers, carrying the same lime, purple, and gold Hesket Thoroughbreds silks of David Moodie, captured the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton.Sword Of Legacy, sent out...
Ko Phangan claims Byerley Handicap at Flemington
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable continues its impressive run in qualifying races for Classic contenders with Ko Phangan's recent victory at Flemington.Ko Phangan's win in the Byerley Handicap (1800m) secures a coveted ballot exemption for either the Victoria Derby (2500m) or the VRC Oaks (2500m) during the Melbourne...
Joint Venture earns carnival ticket with Rosehill triumph
A late-developing two-year-old, Joint Venture, is now in contention for the initial three-year-old feature races after securing a crucial win at Rosehill.The impeccably bred son of I Am Invincible, a $625,000 yearling acquisition for the Newgate stallions syndicate, displayed significant progress from his debut second at Wyong, asserting his class...
Betwitchery ready to extend winning streak first-up
Betwitchery is set to extend her winning sequence as she makes her return to the racetrack at Flemington.The Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin-trained mare is scheduled to begin her new racing campaign in the VRC Member Brendan Sobozynski Plate, a 1200-metre contest, this Saturday.Betwitchery, who has won five...
Littlefield targets Magnolia Cup after Flemington engagements
Trainer Charlotte Littlefield is scheduled to travel back to the UK in approximately a week to participate in a charity race at the renowned Glorious Goodwood Festival.The Magnolia Cup is a distinguished charity event this year supporting Education Above All. It aims to gather funds to ensure access to education,...
General Salute set for Winter Challenge under favourable wet conditions
The arrival of overnight rain has alleviated Sterling Alexiou's primary concern regarding General Salute's prospects in the final black-type race of the Sydney season, following his recent victory in the Winter Stakes.All four of the gelding's previous wins have been recorded on rain-affected tracks. Earlier in the week, with Rosehill...
Burning Heartz set for Adelaide Stakes test
Trainer Gavin Bedggood envisions a future for Burning Heartz in an Oaks race, but his immediate goal is to secure some valuable Stakes black type for the filly.Burning Heartz, a winner on debut at Sandown on July 1, is now heading to Adelaide to contest the Group 3 South Australian...