Sun set to shine in the Australasian Oaks
Mick Price is looking to add another South Australian Group 1 feature to his trophy cabinet when he saddles Vibrant Sun in the Australasian Oaks at Morphettville.
Price, who trains in partnership with Michael Kent Jnr at Cranbourne, has won three of South Australia’s four Group 1 races on multiple occasions.
However, he has won the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) on just one occasion, with Gallic, ridden by Craig Newitt, in 2009.
Price and Kent Jnr have together won the South Australian Derby with Jungle Magnate and The Goodwood with Lombardo, both in 2022.
However, they will have to wait a little longer to attempt to claim a Robert Sangster Stakes (also run on Saturday) as they don’t have a runner.
Price said lightly raced filly Vibrant Sun enters Saturday’s Australasian Oaks in good order having won the Group 3 Alexandra Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on March 23 at her most recent start.
However, Price said he would have liked to have given the filly one extra run in Saturday’s race.
“She did miss a run through a bit of capsulitis, but we did give her a 1200-metre tick over trial, so I think I’ve caught up,” Price said.
“She’s clean-winded, sound, and I think she ready to run well.”
Vibrant Sun has raced once at Group 1 level, finishing tenth in the Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield in November.
That day the filly was dropping back in distance to 1600m after racing to an eight-length romp in maiden company at Geelong over 1715m a week earlier.
On the strength of that win and being by The Autumn Sun, sire of Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) winner Autumn Angel, Price said the 2000m trip should be no concern for Vibrant Sun.
“I think the 2000 metres will be alright for her and those The Autumn Sun fillies stay on,” Price said.
“We saw one of them win the Oaks in Sydney and this filly, she was strong over the mile and was strong through the line.”
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...