Two Cox Plate 2023 hopes for leading yard
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace will back-up Gold Trip into the Cox Plate after all the early indications are that he has taken no harm from his tough run in the Caulfield Cup.
Gold Trip will be joined in Australia's weight-for-age championship at Moonee Valley on Saturday by three-year-old King Colorado.
The pair are among 12 acceptors for the 2040m contest, with Gold Trip drawn in gate eight where he will be reunited with Mark Zahra and King Colorado in gate 10.
Maher said the stable was keen to run Gold Trip in the Cox Plate as a lead-up to the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 7, just as they had done 12 months earlier.
Gold Trip finished third in last Saturday's Caulfield Cup, a run Maher said was arguably better than his performance when second behind Durston last year before going on to run ninth in the Cox Plate.
Ten days after the Cox Plate, Gold Trip took out the Melbourne Cup.
"We'll keep an eye on the track and that the horse is fine, but the early signs are good, and he seems to have come through it well," Maher said.
"His Turnbull win was pretty special. His run in the Caulfield Cup was arguably better than last year, so he's in a pretty good spot heading in."
Maher said he was looking forward to seeing King Colorado step up to 2040m on Saturday after his fourth placing in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 14.
He said the weight drop was ideal for three-year-old who will carry 49.5kg under Michael Dee.
But Maher would have liked a softer draw for King Colorado than barrier 10 on Saturday.
"I'd be pretty keen to put him on pace, being a three-year-old with the weight drop," Maher said.
"I've always been keen to get him out to that trip. I think he's improved every start he's had this prep and I think he'll improve again.
"If you draw a bit softer, it makes it bit easier to get out and take a position.
"His best chance and I think with three-year-olds in this race with the lightweight, on speed is the place to be and I think we'll try and be there for sure."
More Racing News
Grander ambitions for Walker's Sandown victor
Tolaga Bay is slated for a Black Type assignment after an impressive winning return at Sandown, continuing her undefeated streak.The Mark Walker-trained filly, by Alabama Express, triumphed in the Sportsbet Blackbook Handicap over 1300 metres on Wednesday.Potential targets for the filly include the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at...
Sing Your Song on track for Flight Stakes after Warwick Farm win
Chris Waller has the Group 1 Flight Stakes on his radar for the well-bred filly Sing Your Song, following her stylish victory in a race that has proven to be a significant spring carnival launching pad.The trainer, usually hesitant to start horses from wide draws, explained that his decision to...
Chilly Girl set to bring the heat to Furious Stakes rivals
A thrilling showdown is anticipated in the upcoming Furious Stakes, featuring Rosebud winner Chilly Girl and Silver Shadow Stakes champion Pembrey, as the early form for three-year-old fillies continues to solidify.Both fillies have made strong impressions this spring. Chilly Girl displayed grit to defeat Blue Door in the Rosebud (1100m),...
Giga Kick ready to launch spring campaign in Moir Stakes
It has been almost four years since Giga Kick and Clayton Douglas were the celebrated duo of Australian racing.The pair captured The Everest at Randwick in October 2022, and in the following autumn, they triumphed in the All-Aged Stakes and Doomben 10,000. During this period, Giga Kick was also awarded...
Pride's leading spring contenders to debut at Randwick
Trainer Joe Pride is poised to introduce his stable's major spring contenders en masse at Randwick, with four Group 1 winners slated to race, prominently featuring the top weight-for-age performer Ceolwulf.The two-time King Charles III Stakes champion is scheduled to compete in Saturday's Chelmsford Stakes (1600m). Concurrently, Headley Grange and...
Melbourne Cup 2026: 101 nominations received
The Victoria Racing Club has received 101 entries for the upcoming 166th Melbourne Cup, a 3200m race scheduled at Flemington on November 3.Despite a dip in overall nominations from previous years, international interest has grown, with 23 horses nominated from four nations: England, Ireland, Japan, and the USA.Last year, 2025,...
Natural Fling faces seasoned sprinters in Moir Stakes
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy stable is prepared to gamble on a Group 1 contest against established sprinters when Natural Fling contests the Moir Stakes at Sandown.It's uncommon for a three-year-old, let alone a filly, to challenge hardened sprinters in a 1000-metre weight-for-age race.However, that's precisely the path Natural Fling...
David Vandyke confident Oregon Coast can leverage Pembrey's form
Trainer David Vandyke holds a positive outlook for Oregon Coast's chances at Ipswich on Wednesday, particularly given her performances against horses like Pembrey and Chilly Girl.While Pembrey and Chilly Girl are prominent contenders for the Group 2 Furious Stakes at Randwick on Saturday, Oregon Coast will be competing in the...
Chris Waller assesses Chelmsford Stakes contenders
Champion trainer Chris Waller is looking for better showings from Fangirl and Lindermann in Saturday's Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes over 1600 metres at Randwick.The pair finished well back in the Winx Stakes, behind their stablemate Autumn Glow, securing 10th and 9th placings respectively. While Waller was prepared to overlook their...
Generosity poised for Group 1 Moir Stakes
There was a period earlier this year when Chris Waller considered letting go of the classy sprinting mare Generosity. However, this Saturday, she is set to kick off another racing campaign for the renowned trainer.The six-year-old mare will make her seasonal reappearance in the lucrative $750,000 Group 1 Moir Stakes,...