No limits for Easthope in Blue Spec Stakes
Trainer Jeremy Easthope is looking forward to saddling Upper Limits and believes he’s primed to turn the tables in the $100,000 Blue Spec Stakes (1650m) at Belmont on Saturday.
Upper Limits ran second to hot commodity Triple Jay in the Jockey Celebration Day Stakes (1400m) two weeks ago, but Jeremy Easthope says he has good reason to think his combatant can put his best foot forward and reverse the result on the weekend.
“I think he’ll go well and his run the other day was good,” Easthope said to Racing WA.
“We had few minor things behind the scenes last start, but the last couple of weeks have been really good.
“He worked really good at Lark Hill this morning (Wednesday) and we’re looking forward to getting him up to the mile.
“That’s sort of his sweet spot and hopefully we can get the better of Triple Jay this week.”
Under Lucy Fiore, Upper Limits settled fourth and followed Triple Jay in the Jockey Celebration Day Stakes and as hard as he tried, he couldn’t bridge the gap in the straight and fell short by one length.
Triple Jay, prepared by Dan and Ben Pearce, a stable in top form, is attempting to win four straight races in the Blue Spec Stakes and his first over the distance.
Easthope has abundant respect for Triple Jay, rating him the hardest horse to beat and the biggest threat to Upper Limit’s prospects.
Despite a minor distance query, Easthope doesn’t believe that will be Triple Jay’s Achilles heel or bring about the undoing of the five-year-old.
“The way he runs out the 1400m you wouldn’t think so,” Easthope said.
“He’s strong and still held us ok the other day.
“Lucy said if she had her time again, she would have eyeballed Triple Jay at the top of the straight, instead of trying to sit and chase him.
“She would have gone and put the pressure on a bit earlier.”
Upper Limits and Fiore team up again in the Blue Spec Stakes, commencing from barrier eight in the field of nine starters.
Easthope said Upper Limits is a possibility for the upcoming Kalgoorlie carnival, the Hannans (1400m) and Kalgoorlie Cup (2300m) are being considered.
Later, Ascot carnival ambitions include the Railway Stakes (1600m) and Perth Cup (2400m).
Easthope is keen to grab a second Goldfields feature after winning the Hannans in 2008 with Fim Maru.
With Tab touch, Upper Limits is rated a $7 chance in the Blue Spec Stakes. Triple Jay the $2.50 favourite.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Tony Gollan’s two-year-old Itching To Go in 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Tony Gollan is leaning on a proven strategy as Itchintogo lines up on a seven-day backup in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) this Saturday. The approach has delivered strong results historically, with six winners of the $3 million race following the same path over the past 15 years. Purchased for $60,000...