McDonald to take proven path to Caulfield Cup with import
Imported galloper Bear Story is only weeks away from commencing his spring campaign after having a jump-out at Cranbourne last Monday.
An official 1000m trial at Cranbourne on August 7 will be the pre-cursor to Bear Story resuming in the Group 2 P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 19.
After that it will be to Moonee Valley for the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) on September 9 followed by the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on September 23.
If successful in the Naturalism, Bear Story will head to the Group 1 Might And Power Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield a week before the Caulfield Cup (2400m).
It was the program Grahame Begg used when Nonconformist chased home Incentivise in the 2021 Cup.
“He’s qualified for the Caulfield Cup, but we need to get his weight up a little bit,” Clinton Mcdonald said.
“I’ve spoken to the handicapper and our thought process is, run him in the Naturalism, hopefully win that and justify going to the 2023 Caulfield Cup.
“And if he doesn’t win, he’s not good enough.
“We’re taking the same program as Nonconformist did, and I think that sort of preparation is a nice one leading into a Caulfield Cup.”
A three-time winner in Ireland before coming to Australia, Bear Story had two runs at Flemington during the autumn.
McDonald said he was not disappointed in the horse during the autumn but disappointed with the luck the horse had.
“In his first run, we thought we’d have a look at him,” McDonald said.
“He drew wide, we went back on him, and it was a race where horses that got out wide, they couldn’t make ground.
“He drew another wide gate in Australian Cup, and we were going to go forward, but it didn’t work out as he got posted three-deep on speed and they went along at a good clip.
“We know he’s a very good horse and has good ability in what he has shown us at home. Everyone that rides him, all the best jockeys that have been on him, all like him.
“He’s going well and having those runs under the belt in the autumn is going to hold him well for this preparation.”
More Racing News
Harry Charlton optimistic about Wine Dark Sea's Caulfield Cup chances
Upon his arrival in Australia, UK trainer Harry Charlton immediately made his way to Werribee to assess his Caulfield Cup contender, Wine Dark Sea.This marks Charlton's first venture training a horse in Australia, although he has drawn on the expertise of his brother Tom, a co-trainer with John O'Shea in...
Concord Connie set for Caulfield challenge
Following a string of three successive wins during her late autumn campaign, trainer Charlotte Littlefield admitted to experiencing significant pressure as Concord Connie made her spring racing return at Mornington.The mare, who was heavily backed at $1.30, was narrowly beaten over 1200m on September 26.Despite the close call, Littlefield maintained...
Russian Rock ready for Caulfield challenge
Michael Trotter, the trainer from Cranbourne, was abroad when he received a telephone call from acclaimed jockey Craig Williams.This call came not long after Trotter's three-year-old colt, Russian Rock, had competed in the Stutt Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield on September 27.Following Adam McCabe's suspension for causing interference during that particular...
Bedggood's Caulfield Cup debut with Kingswood
Trainer Gavin Bedggood is on the cusp of a significant career moment with his first runner in a 'major' race at Caulfield.While he boasts Group 1 victories and placings to his name, Kingswood's upcoming run in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) this Saturday will be his first in this elite tier.The...
Apocalyptic's form under scrutiny as Berry aims for Silver Eagle success
Jockey Tommy Berry concedes that Apocalyptic has not yet fulfilled her early potential, but he remains steadfast in his belief in the Group 1 victor.During her spring three-year-old campaign, she was almost invincible, clinching the Furious Stakes, Tea Rose Stakes, and Flight Stakes before a narrow defeat to Ole Dancer...
Schofield's partnership with Tempted and Ceolwulf set for Everest day
Chad Schofield might attribute his initial opportunities aboard star gallopers Tempted and Ceolwulf to luck and timing, but it is his skill and execution that have kept him in the saddle.Schofield has forged an impressive association with both horses, which will continue on the most significant day of the Sydney...
Organised Crime aims to conquer Blue Sapphire
Cranbourne-based trainer Lloyd Kennewell is anticipating a highly competitive Group 1 sprint for three-year-olds at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week, labelling it the race of the spring.Kennewell is preparing two strong colts, Organised Crime and Mbube, for the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) set to take place on October 31.The former,...
Beadman benefits from return to Randwick
A homecoming to Randwick is expected to suit Beadman much better, after the promising sprinter fell victim to the Caulfield curse during a quick trip to Melbourne.The tricky Caulfield track has tripped up many a Sydney-trained galloper, and the four-year-old was one of them, getting too far back from a...
Caulfield Cup presents weighty challenge for Half Yours
Tony and Calvin McEvoy, the father-and-son training duo, are fully cognizant of the significant task that lies before them as Half Yours aims for a consecutive Caulfield Cup triumph.Having previously won the Cup with one of the lowest weights, Half Yours will now carry the burden of topweight in the...
St Leger Stakes runners still in Melbourne Cup calculations
Klondike, a former European import, has not followed a conventional Australian preparation for a staying event, but his trainers maintain confidence in his fitness and stamina.The gelding will contest Saturday's St Leger Stakes (2600m) in only his second start in 16 months, having been sidelined by a tendon injury subsequent...