Successful combination team up at Caulfield
New Zealand trainer Mark Walker has called on an old friend from his days in Singapore for the ride on Exuberance at Caulfield.
Joao Moreira will pilot the filly when she runs in the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) on Saturday.
Walker and Moreira combined on 204 occasions during their time in Singapore, winning on 48 occasions with a further 61 placings.
Exuberance broke through for her maiden victory at Cranbourne last start, and Walker’s assistant trainer Ben Gleeson said the filly can be a bit of a ‘hot-head’.
That is the reason Walker has called on Moreira for the ride on Saturday.
“It was only a maiden over 1200 metres at Cranbourne last start, but she did do it the tough way,” Gleeson said.
“She led them up, she got headed, and then she fought back and won.
“She’s a filly that’s been a little bit cantankerous in her work, does like to get a bit keen, but we’re trying to teach her to settle and drop off them.
“Laura who rides her every day at home and is one of the best judges I’ve ever seen on a horse, has been really happy with her.
“We’ve got Moreira on who’s got some of the best hands in the business, and that’s purely why we booked him.
“If he can get her to settle in a good rhythm, I think she’ll be a flashing light and hopefully figuring in the finish, but we’ve got two eyes looking towards a mile in time.”
Gleeson said Exuberence profiles like a filly that will relish 1600m, and further, and there are plans afoot for the filly to contest the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on November 16.
But should the filly require time after Saturday’s race, Gleeson said Walker would not hesitate in sending the filly for a break.
“We’ve been very vocal with the owners that we don’ t want to rush her,” Gleeson said.
“She’s an immature, Savabeel filly, even though she’ s a beautiful-looking horse.
“I think in the autumn, she’ll be an absolutely stunning type, and we just want to get it right early in her career to set her up for a good future.”
More Racing News
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...
Mark Zahra backs Tentyris to overcome weight in Newmarket
Mark Zahra, the jockey, doesn't see the allocated weight for Tentyris as a barrier to the colt capturing the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.To win the Group 1 1200m event at Flemington on Saturday, Tentyris must replicate the weight record set by Ajax back in 1938.The 57kg impost matches what Fastnet...
Freedman eyes Ninja's mile potential in Randwick Guineas
Michael Freedman counts on Ninja getting forward in the run as an essential element boosting his shot at the Group One Randwick Guineas.Unlike key challengers Autumn Boy and Attica, who prefer to come from off the pace, Ninja showed his flexibility in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m) by tracking the pacesetter...
Experienced Coal Crusher set for Newcastle Stakes challenge
If Coal Crusher maintains his strong connection with the Newcastle venue, he could provide Joe Pride with an excellent beginning to his weekend on a prominent regional racing occasion.On a quick six-day freshen-up from his Liverpool City Cup (1300m) defeat at Randwick, the gelding lines up in Friday's Group 3...
Rawiller's decision spotlights Lady Shenandoah's Canterbury Stakes bid
With Ciaron Maher readying Gringotts for his seasonal reappearance in the Canterbury Stakes at Randwick, another jockey has accidentally boosted the credentials of a prominent rival entrant.Nash Rawiller built an impressive alliance with Gringotts late in his previous campaign, notching successive wins in the Big Dance and The Gong.They were...