Luke Fernie cautions punters ahead of Belmont Guineas
Trainer Luke Fernie has cautioned punters not to underestimate his classy gelding Russian To The Bar in the $125,000 Amelia Park-Belmont Guineas (1600m) on Saturday.
Despite a wide draw, rising sharply in distance and his record on rain affected ground, Luke Fernie says the Listed Belmont Guineas is a winnable race for Russian To The Bar.
Opting to bypass the Raconteur Stakes (1400m), Fernie expects to see a better version of his three-year-old after he ran sixth of seven to Yonga Lass when resuming over 1000m two weeks ago.
“He’s going super and just the 1000 metres for him nowadays is just a bit too short,” Fernie said to The Races WA.
“He could have gone to the 1400m (Raconteur) the other day, but I didn’t want to give him a real big gut buster.
“But he’s going good, looks good and his work on Tuesday with an open class sprinter was super.
“It’s going to be a bit of an ask and the draw makes it hard, but I’m pretty confident he has the ability to get the job done.
“He’s definitely going to be thereabouts, for sure.”
Fernie holds supreme faith in Russian To The Bar, a Dawson Stud home bred and son of Russian Revolution.
His dam, Rosie Rocket, won the Listed Starstruck (1600m)-La Trice (1800m) double and ran third in the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m).
Russian To The Bar’s older half-sister, Kissonallforcheeks, retired after winning a hat trick of group races and $1.5 million in earnings.
Russian To The Bar created a huge impression earlier this year when he reeled off four straight wins, headlined by the Listed Challenge (1500m) and Lex Piper Stakes (1600m).
Fernie believes Russian To The Bar’s star is on the rise.
“He’s going to be a summer carnival horse,” Fernie said.
“He’s a proper horse who will be winning races over the carnival.
“If it doesn’t happen on the weekend it’s not the end of the world.
“I know I’ve got a good horse regardless, it’s exciting.”
Russian To The Bar is currently priced $11 with betting apps.
From barrier 14 he will be ridden by Brad Parnham.
Parnham won the 2017 edition of the Belmont Guineas aboard, Variation.
He takes over on Russian To The Bar from younger brother, Chris, who partners current second favourite, The Boss Lady.
More Racing News
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Mile test for Harry’s Yacht in 2026 Vobis Gold Reef
Will Larkin is confident the timing is right to test Harry’s Yacht over the mile when the gelding contests Saturday’s Vobis Gold Reef at Flemington. The four-year-old has enjoyed a strong preparation to date, registering two wins at benchmark level and adding two placings in Vobis races over 1200 metres. Training in...