Kiwi mare a Positive 2024 Caulfield Cup hope
Positivity raced her way into next month’s Caulfield Cup with a win in Saturday’s MRC Foundation Cup at Caulfield.
The Andrew Forsman-trained mare secured the coveted ballot exemption when she got her head down at the right time in one of the most thrilling finishes in the history of the 2000-metre Group 3.
The daughter of Almanzor was 55th in order of entry to the Caulfield Cup prior to the MRC Foundation Cup and the Forsman stable is now excited about the build-up to the $5 million Group 1, in which she was given 50kg at Tuesday’s release of weights.
“Yeah, that’s a pretty incredible feeling,” Forsman stable representative Chloe Cumming said moments after securing a start in the Caulfield Cup.
“She’s been super in her work coming into this and she looks amazing, and so to see her get it on the line is pretty incredible.”
“She’s come a long way since autumn and she’s just been thriving since she’s been over here.
“She’s been loving it, so it’s been really good.”
Popular jockey Harry Coffey drove Positivity to a short-head win after making full use of an inside alley to give the mare a charmed run behind leader Just Fine.
Positivity ($16) got the verdict over Future History ($18), who finished a nose clear of Gear Up ($12), while Saint George ($4.80) was just a short-head further back in fourth position.
Positivity was aligned to Challenge in the MRC Foundation Cup, earning that cancer charity a $20,000 payday, which Coffey was delighted to play a role in and is keen to stay associated with the mare, even if it means having to skip a few meals between now and October 19.
“I suppose, she’s going to get in with no weight – I might have to get on the brown rice diet to ride her – but all you can do is win and that’s what she’s doing, so she’s going the right way,” Coffey said.
Positivity will be striving to join Jameka, who is the only other four-year-old mare to have won the MRC Foundation Cup since it gained a Caulfield Cup ballot exemption in 2007, as the only horse to win both races.
More Racing News
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...
Waller's entrants set for All-Star Mile at Flemington
Leading handler Chris Waller embraces the All-Star Mile format since its promotion to Group 1.Launched back in 2019, the All-Star Mile moved between key Melbourne venues and mirrored Japan's Arima Kinen by letting the public choose their top pick.Changes were implemented in later years, and Waller entered sparingly.Securing Group 1...