Bittercreek returns in Danehill Stakes

The Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin stable is looking forward to the return run of Bittercreek at Flemington.

Bittercreek lines up in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1100m) which the stable hopes will lead the colt to two Group 1 assignments in the next six weeks.

Firstly, there is the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on November 2 followed potentially by the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield two weeks later.

A start in those contests will be determined by how Bittercreek returns on Saturday, but Larkins said the stable was encouraged with how the colt had returned this campaign, along with the first-up victory of Broadsiding in the Group 1 Golden Rose at Rosehill last week.

Bittercreek had chased home Broadsiding in his last start before a spell in the Group 1 JJ Atkins at Eagle Farm in June.

Larkin said the stable had delayed Bittercreek’s return after the colt had a busy five start campaign as a two-year-old, which commenced with two runs in Melbourne before heading north to Brisbane.

“He didn’t have long in the paddock,” Larkin said.

“He spelled well in Queensland, but it’s just pushed him back to the back end of the spring, which may be a blessing in disguise.”

Larkin said Bittercreek had trialled well for his return, his most recent being success in an 800m jump-out at Flemington on September 13.

“He had a soft one to begin with and then he was asked to do a bit more in what was a strong trial against older horses,” Larkin said.

“He’s prepared really well. He had a nice gallop at Moonee Valley last week with Baraqiel (a recent Valley winner) and went terrific.

“All roads hopefully lead to the Coolmore and if he can run well in that he’s off to the Sir Rupert Clarke after that.”

With Blake Shinn, who had ridden Bittercreek in three appearances in Brisbane out suspended, Ben Allen will take the ride on Saturday.

The Corstens and Larkin stable will also be represented by Aardvark in Saturday’s contest who will be looking to turnaround a disappointing first-up Flemington run on September 22.