Ajax Stakes next for Willaidow
Trainer Marc Conners is confident that now is the right time for his improving gelding Willaidow to take on bigger challenges, with hopes of securing a spot in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile by winning the Group 2 Ajax Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
The six-year-old has had only eighteen career starts but continues to make strides, having won the Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes (1200m) first-up this preparation—an outcome that Conners was not surprised by.
“We were confident the horse was in great form,” Conners said.
“It was the logical next step, and everything went according to plan. Second-up, he was probably a little too fresh, but he’s progressed well since then.”
Willaidow finished fifth in the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m), beaten 1.6 lengths, after a four-week gap between races. Conners believes the shorter turnaround this time will be in his favor.
“Second-up, he was just a bit fresh after that long break. He got quite worked up pre-race, but that run has done him good. Heading into this race third-up, we’re really happy with where he’s at,” Conners said.
A son of Shamus Award, Willaidow has yet to race beyond 1400m but has demonstrated early speed in shorter races. Conners is confident he can handle the step up in trip with the Doncaster in sight.
“We’ve been planning towards this, and hopefully, it all comes together on Saturday. The Doncaster has been a long-term goal, but he’ll need to put in a strong performance to justify going there,” Conners said.
“It’s shaping up to be a very competitive edition of the race. Plenty of top horses are targeting it, so he’ll need to prove he can run a strong 1500m to earn his place in the field.”
“Last prep, he improved with every run. He was once a horse that went too hard early, but over his last six starts, he’s learned to settle much better.”
“He’s handling racing better than ever and is now showing that he can position himself on the speed in fast-run races while still finishing off well.”
Zac Lloyd will take the ride on Willaidow at 54kg, with the gelding currently rated an $8 chance in early markets.
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...