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
Opal Ridge signals Queensland carnival intentions in Ortensia Stakes
A relieved Luke Pepper will press on to the Queensland winter carnival with renewed confidence after an underdone Opal Ridge maintained her perfect home track record with a classy victory in the Ortensia Stakes at Scone. Pepper admitted to some pre-race anxiety given Opal Ridge hadn’t raced since November, but he banked on...
The Map lands a Melbourne Cup berth
Six months of planning has paid off with The Map earning a ‘Golden Ticket’ into the Melbourne Cup. The Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday grants the winner a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) in November. Trainers Dan Clarken and Oopy Macgillivray planned their assault on Saturday’s...
Draw favours Who Dares in The Straight Six
Who Dares has finally lived up to the lofty expectations placed on him winning a Stakes race at Flemington. The Listed Straight Six (1200m) on Saturday fell the way of the heavily supported gelding, prepared at Mornington by Pat Carey and Harris Walker. Sent out the $3.30 favourite under Patrick Moloney, Who Dares scored...
Lloyd keeps his cool as Cindy collects Dark Jewel Classic
A composed ride from Zac Lloyd has helped Fall For Cindy post an invaluable Group Three win, the star apprentice keeping his cool despite having to throw the script out the window shortly after the start. Lloyd had hoped to settle the John O’Shea-trained mare in the first half of the field and...
Bella Nipotina beats I Wish I Win in the Doomben 10,000
Ciaron Maher has been left to marvel at the tenacity of bonny mare Bella Nipotina, who has overcome a busy travel schedule to upset I Wish I Win in the $1.5 million Doomben 10,000. Kicking off her preparation in Melbourne, Bella Nipotina was narrowly edged out by Chain Of Lightning in the T J...
Joyful Fortune returns for The Straight Six contest
Former Hong Kong galloper Joyful Fortune is set to renew acquaintances with the Flemington straight in his first run for the Ciaron Maher stable. Joyful Fortune was unbeaten in two starts on the Flemington straight when prepared by Sydney conditioner Mark Newnham. With Newnham now based in Hong Kong, Joyful Fortune will have his...
‘Cheeky’ Attractable ready to roll in the Scone Cup
Attractable has been keeping trainer Sara Ryan on her toes in the lead-up to the Scone Cup and when he is causing mischief on the training track, it usually equates to a bold race day performance. “He’s very much a confidence horse. He thrives off being confident and happy and you know when...
Shall Samuel and Twain meet in the Melbourne Cup?
To breed one Melbourne Cup runner is an achievement, but to have two in the same race from the one family is something not many can boast. But that’s the dream Gail Temperton and Stan Alexander are hoping to realise this year and Samuel Langhorne can take a giant step towards making...
Bool battler chasing a Melbourne Cup dream
The self-proclaimed little bogan from the Bool with the bargain battler $5000 horse is chasing the dream of a Melbourne Cup start at Flemington. Patrick Ryan Jnr and his stayer Ferago head to the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) in search of a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington...
Joe Pride confident Private Eye is on the right track ahead of Doomben 10,000
Private Eye has never raced at Doomben, but Joe Pride is banking on the track giving his charge an advantage over favourite I Wish I Win when they clash in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000. A backmarker with a devastating finish, I Wish I Win is an even-money fancy for Saturday’s Group 1 race, while...