Lavalier down to contest the Victoria Derby Preview
Trainer James Cummings will learn more about Lavalier after the Godolphin colt takes a step up in trip on a path towards a potential Victoria Derby start.
Lavalier is down to contest the Victoria Derby Preview (1800m) at Flemington on Sunday, a lead up race to the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on November 2.
A veteran of three race starts, Lavalier is showing signs of wanting to stretch out in distance, just as his half-brother Perricles did as a three-year-old.
Perricles won on debut at Newcastle over 1400m and at his third race start chased home Berkeley Square in the Group 2 The Vase (2040m) at Moonee Valley.
A week later, at start number four, Perricles ran in the Victoria Derby, finishing midfield behind Manzoice.
As an autumn three-year-old Perricles won the Group 2 Autumn Classic (1800m) at Sandown and ran second in the Group 2 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) before another midfield finish when stepped up in trip in the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick.
Nowadays, Perricles has been restricted to trips between 1300m and 1600m, although he is rising to 1800m again on Saturday in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield, with the possibility of a start in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 26 to come.
Lavalier also started his career at Newcastle, running third in a 1200m maiden before winning over 1300m at Kembla Grange.
Cummings then sent the colt to Melbourne where Lavalier made late ground with Jamie Kah in the saddle, finishing third to Evaporate at Moonee Valley on August 24.
That race was over 1500m, and Cummings said Lavalier was suggesting to the Godolphin team that he wants more ground.
“Lavalier is now emerging as a possible Victoria Derby horse,” Cummings said.
“I love the way he got through the line at The Valley, and I’ve loved the way he’s trained-on since.
“I gave him a little lung-burner jump-out at Flemington to keep him ticking over.
“The graduation to Flemington should suit him perfectly and it should be a good test for Lavalier, but he’s got to convert on his potential.”
More Racing News
Ciaron Maher eyes four entrants for VRC St Leger
The champion stayer trainer Ciaron Maher counts one horse already locked in for Saturday's Listed VRC St Leger at Flemington, but he is pushing for substantially more involvement in the key event.Among the 28 declarations for the $200,000 2800-metre race are Awesome Artist, Noble Falcon, Intervened, and Tasmanian Derby champion...
New Zealand's Confesara eyes victory in Australasian Oaks
The track record of Roger James in capturing Australian Group 1 events for three-year-old fillies goes all the way back to the beginning of the 2000s, and he seeks to add to that tally this coming Saturday.Teaming up with co-trainer Robert Wellwood, the Kiwi conditioner has entered Confesara for the...
Adelaide hosts Niance's campaign launch
Grahame Begg, the trainer, is travelling to Adelaide featuring his capable mare Niance, potentially opening doors to a Brisbane-focused campaign for the quick runner.Since Flemington lacks fitting sprint races for Niance on Saturday, Begg chooses the Group 3 John Hawkes Stakes (1100m) held at Morphettville.By chance, Flemington's Anzac Day schedule...
Cap Ferrat set for reunion with Williams in Queen Elizabeth II Cup
The top jockey Craig Williams seeks to conclude a demanding weekend on a high note with a Group 1 win in Hong Kong, reuniting with 2025 Hong Kong Derby champion Cap Ferrat in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin come April 26.On Saturday, Williams boasts almost a...
Recon hands Carey elusive Hareeba Stakes success
Pat Carey, the hometown conditioner, has banished his Hareeba Stakes hoodoo after Recon unleashed a dazzling closing effort to take out the prize at Mornington.Carey had endured ongoing frustration in the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m), pursuing a victory across several campaigns, notably second with Kelthorpe in 2006 and third via...
All Aged Stakes delivers Beiwacht's second elite victory
Hall of Fame conditioner Chris Waller's unbeaten autumn dominance in Sydney received a fitting finale from Godolphin's Beiwacht, who powered to a determined lead-all-the-way success versus a elite opposition in the Group 1 $1.5 million All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.In addition, Waller filled the first two...
Mornington Cup win gives Kings Valley direct entry to Caulfield Cup
Kings Valley, under the guidance of trainer Ciaron Maher, has clinched a ballot exemption for the Caulfield Cup courtesy of a gritty performance at Mornington.The Listed Mornington Cup conquest on Saturday delivers the 'Golden Ticket' access to the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) scheduled for October.Maher notched his second Mornington...
Pride stable trifecta topped by Mazu in Hall Mark Stakes
At eight years old, the exceptional Mazu maintains his sharp turn of foot and zest for competition, setting the tempo wire-to-wire for his third consecutive triumph in Saturday's Group 3 $250,000 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m).Previously, Pride's star had mastered the Hall Mark on rain-affected surfaces where he excels, but facing...
Waller's record Sydney autumn run ends with Fireball edging Champagne Stakes
Chris Waller, the celebrated Hall of Fame trainer, notched a historic Sydney Saturday Group 1 sweep as Fireball got the better of stable companion Campione D'Italia in Saturday's $1 million Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick.The autumn carnival's eighth straight (and last) Sydney Saturday of Group 1 races saw Waller...
JRA Plate victory confirms Asterix at his sharpest
The win by Asterix stood out as somewhat surprising compared to Waller's earlier triumphs, given the progressive eight-year-old gelding was dispatched at $16 into the race.Having captured the New Zealand Derby four years back, Asterix lost momentum for a period before flashing his class last summer with a win in...