Melbourne Cup placegetter heads to Flemington
Having decided on aborting a potential Middle East trip with Okita Soushi, the Melbourne Cup placegetter is set to step out at Flemington on Saturday.
The Ciaron Maher-trained stayer is one of four runners from the stable that will line up in the TAB Australian Cup Race Day, 29 March (2000m).
He will be joined by Mankayan, United Nations and Night Endeavor.
Okita Soushi has not raced since finishing third to Knight’s Choice in the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington in November.
Jack Turnbull, Maher’s assistant trainer based at Cranbourne, said the team had been considering sending Okita Soushi to Dubai for a rich staying race in March, but the trip, logistically, was too tough.
“We had it on the cards,” Turnbull told RSN.
“He had two weeks off like the majority of our staying horses and we were prepping him for a potential Dubai assault, but we didn’t get there.
“Just logistically it was going to prove very difficult.”
Turnbull said after returning to work, Okita Soushi was going to be aimed at the Bagot Handicap (2800m) at Flemington on New Year’s Day, but the stable was not happy with his progress and elected to wait for Saturday’s assignment.
Okita Soushi has had two Cranbourne jump-outs over 1400m to prepare for Saturday’s return, the most recent being on January 6.
“We’ll run him on Saturday, have a bit of a fitness run and then he heads towards the Torney Cup at Moonee Valley about a month later,” Turnbull said.
“Then it will be off to the Sydney Cup.
“He is the class horse, but we know he doesn’t get warm until we get him to 12 furlongs.”
While Okita Soushi maybe the class member of the Maher stable in Saturday’s race, Turnbull expects Night Endeavor to run a forward race.
“I think he is the forgotten stayer,” Turnbull said.
“He is working towards this 2000-metre trip and will be better again over further.
“United Nations is back after a break and is heading towards the Sydney Cup while Mankayan, we’ve mixed things up with him.
“He’s just struggling for form, he’s showing us glimpses, but needs to get the first half right.”
More Racing News
Cosmic Crusader set for Victorian debut in Bletchingly Stakes
Trainer Andrea Leek is yet to pinpoint the exact spring campaign for Cosmic Crusader, but she is anticipating his racecourse return this Saturday.The Group 1-winning Western Australian gelding is scheduled to make his Victorian racing debut in the $200,000 Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes, a 1200m contest at Caulfield.This five-year-old entire,...
Randwick trials see Waller's stars return
A significant contingent of Chris Waller's established racehorses, prominently featuring the acclaimed mare Autumn Glow, commenced their spring preparations at Randwick on Monday morning.The initial three trials, all conducted over 900 metres on the Kensington track following a postponement from Friday due to wet conditions, showcased numerous Group 1 winners...
Concord Connie eyes Victorian Group 1 success
Charlotte Littlefield, the Pakenham-based trainer, is opting against chasing substantial prize money in interstate races with Concord Connie, focusing instead on securing a Group 1 win within Victoria.The exciting mare, Concord Connie, has undergone four weeks of preparation and is being readied for her return, with the Group 1 Empire...
Midnight Dynamite's Path to the Big Dance After Rosehill Win
Connections of Midnight Dynamite are keen to see the horse contest a $3 million prize following his commanding performance in the Winter Challenge at Rosehill.Having added Saturday's stakes race to his triumph in last month's Listed Civic Stakes (1400m), the gelding is now slated for the Coffs Harbour Cup (1600m)...
Bold Soul's future may be over jumps after Flemington success
Connections have found Bold Soul, trained by Patrick Payne, to be a good earner on the flat, but his future might be better suited to hurdles.Bold Soul secured the Deane Lester Flemington Cup 1849 (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday, adding to his seven prior wins from 33 starts and boosting...
Sword Of Legacy's determined win follows Band Of Brothers' Ramornie success
Matthew Dunn's stable has enjoyed a prosperous week, capped by Sword Of Legacy's hard-fought victory at Rosehill. This triumph arrived just three days after Band Of Brothers, carrying the same lime, purple, and gold Hesket Thoroughbreds silks of David Moodie, captured the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton.Sword Of Legacy, sent out...
Ko Phangan claims Byerley Handicap at Flemington
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable continues its impressive run in qualifying races for Classic contenders with Ko Phangan's recent victory at Flemington.Ko Phangan's win in the Byerley Handicap (1800m) secures a coveted ballot exemption for either the Victoria Derby (2500m) or the VRC Oaks (2500m) during the Melbourne...
Joint Venture earns carnival ticket with Rosehill triumph
A late-developing two-year-old, Joint Venture, is now in contention for the initial three-year-old feature races after securing a crucial win at Rosehill.The impeccably bred son of I Am Invincible, a $625,000 yearling acquisition for the Newgate stallions syndicate, displayed significant progress from his debut second at Wyong, asserting his class...
Betwitchery ready to extend winning streak first-up
Betwitchery is set to extend her winning sequence as she makes her return to the racetrack at Flemington.The Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin-trained mare is scheduled to begin her new racing campaign in the VRC Member Brendan Sobozynski Plate, a 1200-metre contest, this Saturday.Betwitchery, who has won five...
Littlefield targets Magnolia Cup after Flemington engagements
Trainer Charlotte Littlefield is scheduled to travel back to the UK in approximately a week to participate in a charity race at the renowned Glorious Goodwood Festival.The Magnolia Cup is a distinguished charity event this year supporting Education Above All. It aims to gather funds to ensure access to education,...