Metropolitan goal for ATC Australian Derby winner
Adrian Bott isn’t expecting a winning return from Major Beel in the Winx Stakes, but he is expecting the ATC Australian Derby victor to run better than his double-figure odds suggest.
The gelding was competitive over similar journeys at his initial campaigns, albeit in much easier races, but he did claim the scalp of subsequent Stradbroke Handicap placegetter Hawaii Five Oh first-up over 1300m in February.
“He’s probably a little bit sharper than just a Derby winner, the way he has come back and the way he has trialled,” Bott said.
“Obviously it’s a big task ahead of him, even just going from three-year-old company to weight-for-age, let alone the Derby being your Group One victory (and going) to a weight-for-age, 1400 against some specialist horses.
“But I feel there has been some good improvement off the back of what we’ve seen at three.”
Major Beel was an upset winner of the Derby at $31 with unibet and will start similar odds in Saturday’s Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m).
However, he has managed a top-three finish in nine of his 11 starts and Bott and training partner Gai Waterhouse are keen to initially aim him towards The Metropolitan (2400m) on September 30.
The path he takes towards that feature will hinge on how he handles his first weight-for-age test.
“We’ll get a good line on this preparation, it’s a nice kick-off point,” Bott said.
“We’d like to get him through a Metropolitan-Caulfield Cup type of campaign with the view he will appreciate getting back out in trip.”
Meanwhile, a much-improved showing is anticipated from North Star Lass in the Toy Show Quality (1100m) after the 2022 Furious Stakes winner failed to fire in two autumn starts.
Bott felt she may have been flat after a busy three-year-old spring so the stable elected to give her a long spell and she had returned much brighter.
“We gave her a good break and she looks and feels a lot better this time in and I thought she trialled accordingly,” he said.
“I feel a lot more confident with her going into her first-up run this preparation than I did previously.
“I feel you’ll see her back to her best this time.”
A field of 12 will line up in the Toy Show Quality with punters expecting the cream to rise to the top.
North Star Lass ($7.50) is among five well-performed mares rated at $7.50 and under, while five rivals are marked $31 and above.
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...