Nominations in for Grand Prix Stakes at Eagle Farm

Posted by RS NewsWire at 4:37pm on December 11th

With the Sydney and Melbourne Spring carnivals now over, attention moves to Queensland where the lead up to the Magic Millions has begun.

Saturday sees the running of some nice races, albeit not the lead ins for the 2yo Classic.

The G3 Grand Prix Stakes (2112m), won last year by Kovalica, hasn’t a large pack of nominations and Chris Waller has two chances to win his sixth edition. Shy Guy ($3.50) and Kirikan ($4.50) will be in the mix here.

Potentially some Magic Millions 3yo contenders will be running in the Listed Gold Edition Plate (1200m). Easily the best horse in the ratings is Sires Produce winner Cifrado.

The Listed Lough Neagh Stakes (1400m) for the older horses includes a G1 winner in Royal Merchant along with regular visitor Eleven Eleven and last year’s winner Ucalledit.

Perth has a significantly moment in racing history as Damien Oliver will ride in his last ever race in the appropriately named G3 Damien Oliver-Gold Rush 1400m which will end the Ascot card.

Will 3yo filly Super Smink ($4) get a run against the likes of Ayrton ($5) and Ripcord ($6) who will have a big say?

More Racing News

All-Star Mile next for Sabaj following blood test setback

Sabaj, under the care of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, faces a puzzling field in the All-Star Mile with Pride Of Jenni taking part.Saturday's All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington is now the primary target for Sabaj, who skipped last week's Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington due to unsatisfactory blood...

Yesterday

Baraqiel to trial blinkers for Newmarket Handicap push

Baraqiel faces an uphill battle with the weights in pursuit of success in one of the nation's premier short-distance contests, the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.Post-1973 metric weight implementation, merely three runners have prevailed in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) carrying more than 57.5kg, with the race set for Saturday.In...

Yesterday

Green Spaces earns Rachel King's trust for Randwick Guineas tilt

Returning from a triumphant riding spell in Japan, Rachel King has her eyes set on the Sydney autumn series, with a key engagement aboard the inexperienced three-year-old gelding Green Spaces in the Randwick Guineas.The esteem in which King views the Bjorn Baker stable's charge prompted her to jet in from...

Mar 5th

Fortunes due to improve for backmarker Bauhinia

Bauhinia, known for settling towards the rear naturally, has often lacked the rub of the green in her races.Co-trainer Lee Curtis expects the mare to see her luck change for the better over autumn, kicking off in Saturday's Wenona Girl Quality (1200m) at Randwick."Her work has been as good as...

Mar 5th

Gibbons lands timely Linebacker mount after Rosehill breakthrough

An ordinary benchmark contest at Rosehill back in July evolved into a career highlight for Dylan Gibbons, setting him up to steer star performer Linebacker in the Group One Canterbury Stakes.The promising jockey, mere months removed from shoulder surgery, had steered Good Banter to victory in that midwinter feature.Post-race, he...

Mar 5th

Augustus and Desert Hero debut in Flemington feature

While the Australian Cup Prelude at Flemington doesn't carry the weight of the day's opening races, it has the potential to highlight future stars for major events ahead.Ciaron Maher will launch two newcomers from overseas in the Saturday 2000m race – Augustus and Desert Hero.Desert Hero already has Australian experience,...

Mar 5th

Robbie Griffiths plans VRC Sires' Produce Stakes tilt with Almost An Angel

For the youngsters, the VRC Sires' Produce Stakes provides the debut opportunity to tackle a genuine journey.Now that the Blue Diamond Stakes, Victoria's top juvenile prize, has been run and captured last month, attention shifts for the fast two-year-olds to the Golden Slipper up in Sydney.Robbie Griffiths, however, set his...

Mar 5th

Ipswich Friday features prepared Sir Maurice

With an advantageous claim on weight and a competitor set for a win, Jack Bruce is eager for Sir Maurice to perform at Ipswich this coming Friday.Marking his fifth run this campaign, the five-year-old offspring of champion Japanese sire Maurice enters the Great Northern Benchmark 65 Handicap (1200m) for an...

Mar 5th

Blinkers and McDonald for Hidrix in key Todman Stakes before Golden Slipper

Hidrix, once the top pick for the Golden Slipper, faces two major tweaks for his engagement in the Todman Stakes at Randwick: blinkers fitted and James McDonald in the saddle.Although McDonald guided stable companion Confederation during the Canonbury Stakes (1100m) Hidrix won and the Silver Slipper (1100m), he'll switch to...

Mar 5th

Filly Caffe Florian emerges as next talent for Richard Litt

Though Richard Litt runs a modest team in numbers, he has proven adept at pinpointing quality performers.Responsible for training dual Group 1 champion Castelvecchio and Profondo's 2021 Spring Champion Stakes success, the Warwick Farm conditioner now seems to hold a fresh prospect in developing filly Caffe Florian.The three-year-old by Snitzel...

Mar 5th