Godolphin opt for easier Moonee Valley option
Missing a run in a Group 1 contest may provide Godolphin galloper Pericles a long overdue return to the winner’s enclosure at Moonee Valley.
Pericles is down to contest the So You Think Stakes (1500m) on Saturday, a new race at The Valley to compensate for the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) being moved to the Grand Final Eve meeting on September 27.
Trainer James Cummings and Godolphin elected to bypass taking on Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni last week in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield to concentrate on Saturday’s easier assignment.
If successful on Saturday, it will be Pericles’ first win since the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at the corresponding Sydney meeting last year.
While unsuccessful, Pericles has been a model of consistency, racking up placings in the Silver Eagle, the Golden Eagle, the Group 1 Futurity Stakes and the Group 1 Doncaster Mile.
Pericles also resumed his current campaign with a third-place finish in the Group 2 Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 17.
“His last win was in the Tramway on this day 12 months ago, but he’s mixed it with some of the best since in races like the Silver and Golden Eagle, a placing in the Doncaster, unlucky in the Canterbury Stakes and placed in the Futurity,” Cummings said.
“He’s had a couple of almost campaigns, but he hasn’t quite broken through at the top level.”
As a younger horse, Pericles was tried as a stayer, finishing midfield in both the Victoria Derby and the Australian Derby, but as he has got older, the gelding is better suited to a middle distance.
Cummings said he is looking for a strong effort on Saturday as Pericles is being aimed towards the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on September 21.
“He is stronger and tougher as an older horse this prep,” Cummings said.
“We know he improves vastly second-up, and this race fits in nicely as a lead-up to the Underwood where he’ll be ready to go third-up.”
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...