Morton’s classy 3YO sails into JC Roberts Stakes favouritism
Sail Session has taken over as the Tabtouch favourite for Saturday’s Listed Schweppes-J.C. Roberts Stakes (1800m) at Ascot.
The Dan Morton-trained three-year-old has earned plenty of praise after a dominant 1500m victory at Ascot last weekend and is now set for a quick turnaround into this weekend’s feature race.
After breaking his maiden over 1800m at Ascot in January, Sail Session has found top form with two wins and a second from his past three starts at the track.
An Oakland Park Stud product, Sail Session steps up to stakes company for the first time, having bypassed the Challenge Stakes (1500m) and Lex Piper Stakes (1600m) path.
All Grunt, who placed in both those races, was the initial favourite when markets opened on Wednesday but has since eased from $2.70 to $3.10.
Sail Session opened at $3.40, drifted to $3.50, but is now the market leader at $2.80. With Discretion is next at $6, while Superfluous sits at $8.50.
Morton believes Sail Session is a progressive three-year-old trending in the right direction, with an eye on the WA Derby (2400m) in April.
“We’ve definitely timed it so he’ll be around for a Derby,” Morton said on Tabradio. “He’s definitely tracking in the right direction.”
“We’re yet to see if he’s a genuine stayer at the end of it, but I feel he’s going to be very competitive in the next couple at least.”
“We’ll back up on Saturday, and given it wasn’t an over-taxing run and we got a nice gallop into him, it was pleasing. It looks like he’s come through the race really well.”
Sail Session has drawn gate seven and will again be partnered by top jockey Lucy Fiore, who is in excellent form after an Ascot treble last weekend and a double at Wednesday’s mid-week city meeting.
Luke Campbell will ride Morton’s second J.C. Roberts Stakes representative, Net Zero, who has drawn gate eight.
“I feel like we have a couple of nice boys,” Morton said. “I think Net Zero is going to be a genuine stayer come Derby time.”
“I’m pleased where we’re at with the boys. It’s going to be an interesting time when all the pieces come together.”
Tabtouch has Net Zero rated a $23 chance, trimmed from $31 with online betting sites.
Morton won the J.C. Roberts Stakes two years ago with Another Chino and previously with Scenic Shot in 2006.
Morton also mentioned that Ron’s Finalflutter has done nothing wrong ahead of her clash in the Listed Natasha Stakes (2200m).
More Racing News
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...
War Machine back in winning form at Caulfield
A great deal has transpired for War Machine over the past twelve months.On the equivalent weekend last year, the horse trained by Ben, Will, and Jd Hayes, War Machine, was competing in Sydney for The Everest.While the results didn't align with the Lindsay Park trainers' aspirations, War Machine had entered...
Saintly Dancer's Thousand Guineas triumph highlights Shinn's comeback
Jockey Blake Shinn has celebrated his first Group 1 win since recovering from a significant leg injury, as Saintly Dancer dictated terms from the front to capture the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield.Shinn endured a fractured leg from a fall during last year's Melbourne Cup and made his return to competitive...
Chains Of Love's stunning Kosciuszko win defies the odds
In a truly remarkable turn of events, Chains Of Love, despite her challenging draw and a run wide for the entirety of the race, managed to surge past Band Of Brothers in a thrilling conclusion.This victory marks a consecutive win in The Kosciuszko for the training partnership of Paul Messara...
Grafterburners triumphs in Sydney Stakes after declining Everest start
Kelly Schweida, the trainer, has disclosed that he declined an offer for an Everest slot for Grafterburners to focus on its $2 million consolation race. This decision has proven to be a masterstroke, as the colt has claimed a thrilling Sydney Stakes victory at Randwick.The Queensland trainer felt his charge...
So You Are books Melbourne Cup ticket after St Leger triumph
The connections of improving stayer So You Are can celebrate a successful outcome, as the horse has overcome a pre-race incident to position itself favourably for a Melbourne Cup start.In Saturday's St Leger Stakes (2600m) at Randwick, the Bjorn Baker-trained $3.30 favourite, ridden by Tommy Berry, demonstrated resilience to fend...
Caulfield Classic and Ethereal Stakes Produce New Classic Hopefuls
The complexion of the Spring Carnival's two major Group 1 Classics was altered on Saturday with the emergence of two significant new players at Caulfield.King Snitz has propelled himself into Victoria Derby calculations following a last-stride triumph in the Caulfield Classic, while Quick Finish has climbed the Oaks betting charts...