Summer Cups on radar for Australian Derby placegetter
The form out of the Australian Derby has stood up this spring and trainer John Sargent hopes that continues to be the case for his promising stayer Glad You Think So when he heads to Newcastle’s The Hunter meeting.
Glad You Think So finished third behind the ill-fated Riff Rocket and Ceolwulf in the autumn classic, the latter returning as one of the stars of the Sydney carnival with Group 1 wins in the Epsom Handicap and King Charles III Stakes.
Sargent has set his sights on a much more modest assignment for his charge in Saturday’s Alf Kneebone Trans Tasman Trophy (1850m) where he hopes Glad You Think So can run up to his autumn form.
“Let’s hope he can go on with it. He has been gelded since then and that has obviously helped a bit too,” Sargent said.
Glad You Think So finished down the track first-up over 1400m on the Kensington track but ran a much-improved race last start when sixth and just over two lengths from Battleton over 1500m at Rosehill.
Sargent expects him to appreciate a distance rise on Saturday and is looking for a bold showing.
“His last run was very good. He hit the line well with Ben Melham at Rosehill,” Sargent said.
“He is getting out to a distance now where he will be dangerous. Kerrin Mcevoy rides and I expect a decent run from him on Saturday.”
Long-term, Sargent has his sights on another autumn carnival tilt with Glad You Think So and shorter-term, could aim him towards next month’s Summer Cup (2000m) at Randwick if he runs to expectations at Newcastle.
Another son of So You Think, Perfect Thought, kicks off his latest campaign in the Ausure Insurance Newcastle Handicap (1300m).
The 2022 Carbine Club Stakes winner has failed to live up to his early promise but off the back of a good spell, Sargent is hoping he can rediscover some form this preparation, although the trainer says he will improve on whatever he does first-up.
“He just went off his form so we gave him a decent break and hopefully that has done him good,” Sargent said.
“He seems better and stronger so we will go from Saturday and see how he goes after that.
“It’s probably short of his best, but I’ll be happy as long as he’s hitting the line.”
More Racing News
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...
JRA Plate victory confirms Asterix at his sharpest
The win by Asterix stood out as somewhat surprising compared to Waller's earlier triumphs, given the progressive eight-year-old gelding was dispatched at $16 into the race.Having captured the New Zealand Derby four years back, Asterix lost momentum for a period before flashing his class last summer with a win in...
Strong Frank Packer Plate win boosts Matias for Queensland Derby
With a powerful victory in the Group 3 $250,000 Frank Packer Plate (2000m), Matias has positioned himself firmly in the Queensland Derby picture.Stablemate Snitzel Dancer had triumphed in the Group 3 Carr Stakes only 35 minutes beforehand.Snitzel, under Ryan's guidance, took out an Oakleigh Plate before retiring to Arrowfield Stud,...
Snitzel Dancer's stakes win opens door to Queensland Oaks campaign
Trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou's belief in Snitzel Dancer was rewarded as the filly claimed her first stakes victory in the Group 3 $250,000 James HB Carr Stakes (1400m).The trainer was puzzled by the filly's efforts in back-to-back Warwick Farm appearances that launched her season.Yet, her dominant Hawkesbury performance...