Neasham, Archibald go far and wide including one in WA for the Ted Van Heemst Stakes
With runners at seven different venues across four states on Saturday, Sydney trainers Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald are in for a hectic afternoon, and it will culminate on the other side of the country.
The pair have horses competing at Randwick, Wyong and Dubbo in NSW, Pakenham in Victoria, and Ipswich and Eagle Farm in Queensland, while Numerian will fly the flag in Perth as he bids for back-to-back wins in the Group 2 Ted Van Heemst Stakes (2100m).
The stable has already raided the Ascot coffers with Port Lockroy taking out the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) last month and Neasham is hoping Numerian can continue their fruitful carnival.
“He is a big chance. He won the race last year and it probably looks a race between him and Socks Nation,” Neasham said.
“His run was good in the Northerly Stakes. He was caught four-wide, no cover the trip and he loomed up. He hadn’t run for six weeks and just got tired late so it was a big run.
“He has done well since and we got one with Port Lockroy, so we’ll try to get another one.”
Numerian finished seventh in the Northerly Stakes (1800m) and leading local jockey Clint Johnston-Porter sticks with him.
The gelding took out the Van Heemst Stakes last year before finishing fourth in the Perth Cup and again holds a nomination for the staying feature on New Years’ Day.
Closer to home, West Of Africa will be a key runner for the yard at Randwick when he resumes in the TAB Handicap (1300m).
The gelding won three of his seven starts last preparation and usually performs well fresh, although Neasham expects him to take benefit from Saturday’s outing.
“He will improve for the run, but he is a quality horse and his trial was good,” she said.
“He can pull out a run fresh and the 1300 is probably an ideal starting point as well.”
Tyler Schiller rides West Of Africa from barrier seven.
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...