Tulloch Lodge two-handed in G1 The Metropolitan
Four years after scoring an upset win in one of world racing’s most prestigious events, Serpentine will spearhead a two-pronged Metropolitan assault for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
The winner of the 2020 Epsom Derby in England at double-figure odds, Serpentine arrived in Australia two years ago, going on to establish himself as a handy stayer.
At Randwick on Saturday, the eight-year-old will attempt to turn back the clock when he chases the second Group 1 win of his career in the Metropolitan (2400m) after putting the writing on the wall with a solid fourth to stablemate Eliyass in the Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) last month.
“He did all the work and stuck on for a long way. He should relish the step up to 2400 metres here,” Bott said.
“I think they’re the right formlines coming into this race. He is well seasoned, well conditioned.
“He is an Epsom Derby winner, so he is coming here with plenty of credentials, and he is an honest chance for us.”
Stablemate Military Mission will line up in his second Metropolitan after finishing fourth to Just Fine last year.
Arriving at the race as the Newcastle Cup winner 12 months ago, this time around he has finished midfield in two preparatory runs, although Bott says his performances have been better than they read.
“His runs have been a bit hidden coming into this race,” Bott said.
“He has taken a while to get into gear and hit his peak in the preparation, and we are only just getting out to his ideal distance.
“He has drawn well (barrier one) to run a nice race for us, and he is improving at the right time.”
Waterhouse and Bott are chasing back-to-back wins in the Randwick feature after capturing it with Just Fine last year.
The horse many considered their best chance, Eliyass, won’t be there on Saturday, with the stable having opted to take him to Melbourne for the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) and a Caulfield Cup campaign.
“We felt we needed to get him down there sooner and give him the run in the Turnbull, which is a good (Caulfield Cup) lead-up,” Bott said.
“He went down last week. He’s in great shape. He worked at Flemington on (Tuesday) morning and worked well. “
More Racing News
Darley australia to host retired godolphin colts tentyris and observer
A pair of Godolphin colts, each with two Group 1 wins under their belts, have ended their track careers and will stand at stud with Darley later this year.The decision to retire Tentyris and Observer was made public on Monday, seeing them allocated to Darley Australia's separate venues.By Street Boss,...
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...