Flight Stakes 2024 rematch for Tea Rose quinella
Autumn Glow is a long odds-on favourite to continue her winning march in the Flight Stakes, and a rival trainer admits it might take the Chris Waller filly having an off day to bring about her first defeat.
John O’Shea and Tom Charlton will be represented in the Group 1 by Snow In May, who got closest to Autumn Glow last start when finishing second behind the star three-year-old in the Tea Rose Stakes (1400m).
However, Charlton is under no illusions about the task his charge faces to turn the tables in Saturday’s Flight Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.
“She is only lightly raced, she was excellent last start and she wasn’t far off her,” Charlton said.
“But whether the favourite has to have a chink in the armour for us to win remains to be seen.”
Like Autumn Glow, Snow In May is by exciting young stallion The Autumn Sun and had won her only two starts prior to her Tea Rose Stakes defeat.
She will spearhead a handy Epsom Handicap day team for the training partners as one of three stakes runners for the stable, along with Athabascan in the Group 1 Metropolitan (2400m) and the in-form Interjection in the Listed Dulcify Stakes (1600m).
Athabascan is a Listed winner over the Metropolitan course and distance and finished runner-up in the Sydney Cup (3200m) during the autumn.
Finishing less than three lengths from Buckaroo first-up in the Chelmsford Stakes (1600m), he was midfield in the Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) last start, but Charlton believed the run was better than it appeared on paper.
“I don’t think he did anything wrong, it was a very weird race,” Charlton said.
“They went slow and quickened from the 1000 metres and just drained the race out of him, but he was actually sub-34 (seconds) home, so from a genuine mile-and-a-half, two-mile horse, there’s not much more he can do than that.
“It just looked a bit plain on viewing, but I’d say that different circumstances and third-up, he can bounce back. Take him on trust but he’s going really well.”
Along with their black-type runners, O’Shea and Charlton will also have Fall For Cindy and Rhythm Of Love in the TAB Handicap (1200m) and Café Millenium and Benaud in the Alinta Energy Handicap (1600m)
Stayer Benaud hasn’t raced for almost 12 months and while he will improve on whatever he does at Randwick, connections are hoping he can progress to better races with the Craven Plate (1800m) and Rosehill Gold Cup (2000m) both on his radar.
More Racing News
Extragalactic's Flemington mission in McEwen Stakes
While many in the racing world will lament the closure of the old Moonee Valley track, trainer Trent Edmonds isn't lamenting the timing of its renovation.This Saturday marks the first Cox Plate meeting to be held away from 'The Valley', and Edmonds is set to be at Flemington with Extragalactic,...
Blind Raise's faith rewarded with Cox Plate start
Trent Busuttin is aware that if the primary goal was to secure a Group 1 victory, the more prudent strategy would be to send Blind Raise to Sydney for this Saturday's Spring Champion Stakes.Nevertheless, he also recognises that the type of opportunity that has arisen this year is not a...
Caulfield Cup fall victim Half Yours is back home and doing well
Good news has emerged regarding the riders involved in the Caulfield Cup, with the Victorian Jockeys Association reporting both have been discharged from hospital.Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were transported to the Alfred Hospital after a dramatic fall during the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.The sequence of events saw Half Yours,...
Mr Brightside's Flemington Mile participation uncertain
The Lindsay Park training outfit, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, will hold off on confirming Mr Brightside's start at Flemington until the acceptance stage.Mr Brightside is expected to be nominated for the Group 2 Kia Ora Stud Mile (1600m) this Saturday, though Ben Hayes indicated he is only...
Warwoven's Cox Plate Prospects to be Decided by King's Ride
Melbourne's racing scene is abuzz as Sydney jockey Rachel King prepares to reunite with Warwoven for a crucial track gallop. This workout is designed to give the final go-ahead for the Bjorn Baker-trained colt's potential entry into the esteemed Cox Plate at Flemington.King, who celebrated a Caulfield Guineas victory aboard...
Infancy's The Invitation prospects while in foal
Dual stakes winner Infancy is eagerly awaiting a potential start in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick, a race that could significantly boost her career accolades before she transitions to her role as a broodmare.The six-year-old mare has recently been served by the promising young sire Anamoe. Her trainer,...
Tempted claims The Everest crown in thrilling renewal
The tenth running of The Everest delivered a familiar outcome at the top but with a new champion crowned, as Tempted outdueled Ka Ying Rising before a record-breaking crowd of 52,110.For trainer Ciaron Maher, this victory represents his second success in The Everest, building on Bella Nipotina's triumph in 2024....
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...