Zipaway ready for Valley assault in Alister Clark Stakes
Perth trainer Neville Parnham and the connections of Zipaway had high expectations as they entered the Australian Guineas at Flemington.
But the race turned into a nightmare for the three-year-old after a slow beginning, which eventually saw Zipaway finish in the second half of the field.
Zipaway has the chance to redeem himself on Saturday when he runs in the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) at Moonee Valley.
The gelding is one of Perth’s best performed three-year-olds winning the Group 2 WA Guineas before running third in the Group 1 Northerly Stakes late last year.
Parnham sent the gelding across to Melbourne for the Australian Guineas in mind and after running a first-up third to Snow Patrol in the Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m), everything looked on track.
However, Mark Sestich, assistant trainer to Parnham, said the Guineas did not turn out as hoped.
“It was heartbreaking the other day because the horse, going into that race, was going extremely well,” Sestich said.
“We thought he would be hard to beat, but when you get runs like that, it’s unfortunate.
“He was out there facing the breeze and doing all the work.
“He didn’t jump all that well and then Steven (Parnham) gave him a kick in the ribs to make him race forward which probably wasn’t the right thing to do.
“It didn’t work out like we thought it would, but that’s racing, and we’re pretty used to that.”
Sestich has been in charge of Zipaway in Melbourne and took the gelding across to Moonee Valley for a gallop on Tuesday morning.
He said Zipaway had a good look around early in the workout but was on his game when it mattered late in the gallop.
Sestich does not see Saturday’s trip being a worry.
“It’s a matter of whether he gets there on Saturday and handles the track, but that’s why we took him out there to have a look,” Sestich said.
“He’s run third, beaten a head and head behind Dom To Shoot and Zaaki over 1800 metres, so I don’t think the 2000 metres will worry him.
“It’s just how he handles the track and where he is at in his preparation.”
In form jockey Declan Bates takes over aboard Zipaway with Steven Parnham riding at Ascot where he has seven rides on Saturday.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...