Forecast keeps Duke De Sessa in Melbourne
The forecast of some favourable weather has resulted in Duke De Sessa remaining in Melbourne for a shot at a Group 1 race.
The Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on Saturday was chosen for the Ciaron Maher-trained galloper in preference over a trip to NSW to contest the Group 3 Newcastle Cup (2300m) on Friday.
Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said the weather forecast of some rain to soften the Caulfield track was appealing to the team.
However, only 1.4mm fell at Caulfield on Thursday night, although showers are forecast throughout Friday and possibly Saturday morning.
Duke De Sessa will be lining up for the fifth run of his campaign and will be one of the race fit brigade in Saturday’s race.
The gelding was a last start second to Young Werther over 2000m at Caulfield on August 31 where he set a good clip in front.
“We galloped him the reverse way last week in preparation to go to the Newcastle Cup, but with the weather, we’re supposed to get a little bit of rain down here, we’ve decided to keep him here,” Turnbull said.
“His last run here was super. They went at breakneck speed, he sustained the gallop and that’s when he does his best.
“For his career, it rated one of his highest performances which would have him pretty competitive on Saturday if he can repeat that.”
Turnbull said with race fitness on his side, Duke De Sessa was again likely to roll forward.
“He’s got to be a little chance,” Turnbull said.
“There doesn’t look to be serious speed in the race. He’ll probably roll forward again and be a part of the speed.
“He’s a very fit horse.”
Duke De Sessa, who finished ninth in last year’s Caulfield Cup, is again entered in this year’s race and is number 31 in the Order of Entry.
Turnbull said where Duke De Sessa runs after Saturday will be weather dependant, but the gelding also holds an entry for the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on October 5.
“It’s an option and weather dependant,” Turnbull said.
“If it looked like being wet up there, we could certainly flick him up there.
“Soft ground is the key with him, and we haven’t really got it as frequently as we would like.”
More Racing News
Grander ambitions for Walker's Sandown victor
Tolaga Bay is slated for a Black Type assignment after an impressive winning return at Sandown, continuing her undefeated streak.The Mark Walker-trained filly, by Alabama Express, triumphed in the Sportsbet Blackbook Handicap over 1300 metres on Wednesday.Potential targets for the filly include the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at...
Sing Your Song on track for Flight Stakes after Warwick Farm win
Chris Waller has the Group 1 Flight Stakes on his radar for the well-bred filly Sing Your Song, following her stylish victory in a race that has proven to be a significant spring carnival launching pad.The trainer, usually hesitant to start horses from wide draws, explained that his decision to...
Chilly Girl set to bring the heat to Furious Stakes rivals
A thrilling showdown is anticipated in the upcoming Furious Stakes, featuring Rosebud winner Chilly Girl and Silver Shadow Stakes champion Pembrey, as the early form for three-year-old fillies continues to solidify.Both fillies have made strong impressions this spring. Chilly Girl displayed grit to defeat Blue Door in the Rosebud (1100m),...
Giga Kick ready to launch spring campaign in Moir Stakes
It has been almost four years since Giga Kick and Clayton Douglas were the celebrated duo of Australian racing.The pair captured The Everest at Randwick in October 2022, and in the following autumn, they triumphed in the All-Aged Stakes and Doomben 10,000. During this period, Giga Kick was also awarded...
Pride's leading spring contenders to debut at Randwick
Trainer Joe Pride is poised to introduce his stable's major spring contenders en masse at Randwick, with four Group 1 winners slated to race, prominently featuring the top weight-for-age performer Ceolwulf.The two-time King Charles III Stakes champion is scheduled to compete in Saturday's Chelmsford Stakes (1600m). Concurrently, Headley Grange and...
Melbourne Cup 2026: 101 nominations received
The Victoria Racing Club has received 101 entries for the upcoming 166th Melbourne Cup, a 3200m race scheduled at Flemington on November 3.Despite a dip in overall nominations from previous years, international interest has grown, with 23 horses nominated from four nations: England, Ireland, Japan, and the USA.Last year, 2025,...
Natural Fling faces seasoned sprinters in Moir Stakes
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy stable is prepared to gamble on a Group 1 contest against established sprinters when Natural Fling contests the Moir Stakes at Sandown.It's uncommon for a three-year-old, let alone a filly, to challenge hardened sprinters in a 1000-metre weight-for-age race.However, that's precisely the path Natural Fling...
David Vandyke confident Oregon Coast can leverage Pembrey's form
Trainer David Vandyke holds a positive outlook for Oregon Coast's chances at Ipswich on Wednesday, particularly given her performances against horses like Pembrey and Chilly Girl.While Pembrey and Chilly Girl are prominent contenders for the Group 2 Furious Stakes at Randwick on Saturday, Oregon Coast will be competing in the...
Chris Waller assesses Chelmsford Stakes contenders
Champion trainer Chris Waller is looking for better showings from Fangirl and Lindermann in Saturday's Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes over 1600 metres at Randwick.The pair finished well back in the Winx Stakes, behind their stablemate Autumn Glow, securing 10th and 9th placings respectively. While Waller was prepared to overlook their...
Generosity poised for Group 1 Moir Stakes
There was a period earlier this year when Chris Waller considered letting go of the classy sprinting mare Generosity. However, this Saturday, she is set to kick off another racing campaign for the renowned trainer.The six-year-old mare will make her seasonal reappearance in the lucrative $750,000 Group 1 Moir Stakes,...