Stayers about to start autumn campaigns
Trainer Phillip Stokes is banking on residual fitness carrying two of his stayers a long way in brief autumn campaigns.
Amade and Daqiansweet Junior, who competed successfully during the spring, are close to starting their autumn campaigns in coming weeks.
The Listed Torney Night Cup (2500m) at Moonee Valley on Friday night will be the starting point for Amade on his way to the Group 2 Adelaide Cup (3200m) at Morphettville next month while Daqiansweet Junior is scheduled to start a three-run campaign next month.
The Australian Cup Prelude (1800m) on March 9 will lead into the Listed Roy Higgins Quality (2600m) on March 30 with the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick on April 13 his target.
Daqiansweet Junior may not have been successful during the Melbourne Spring Carnival but ran a career high when finishing fifth in the Melbourne Cup (3200m) last November having finished sixth in the race behind Gold Trip 12 months earlier.
He ran third in last year’s Sydney Cup having won the Adelaide Cup at his previous start after Stokes won that race the previous year with Good Idea.
“He’ll have a three-run prep and that will do him,” Stokes said.
“He can then go for a break after the Sydney Cup, and we’ll get him ready for another shot at the Melbourne Cup.”
Rising 11-year-old Amade won the Geelong Cup last spring and Stokes bypassed the Melbourne Cup with the gelding, instead concentrating on the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the Sandown Classic.
Amade has not raced since running second in the Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m) at Flemington on New Year’s Day.
“Both horses have a lot of residual fitness carrying over from the spring,” Stokes said.
“I’m happy with the way they’ve come up and I think they are in for good campaigns.”
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...