Softer draw brings Aleppo Pine south in Redoute’s Choice Stakes
Aleppo Pine is set to run at Caulfield this Saturday, with the colt drawing favourably and returning to the Melbourne direction, something the Godolphin team believes will suit him.
Trainer James Cummings has opted to run the talented youngster in the Listed Redoute’s Choice Stakes (1100m) rather than head north to Sydney for the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes (1100m).
“At the end of the day, he just needed the softer draw out for the two races,” Cummings said.
“This is quite a strong little race and not much easier than the Kindergarten, but he’s got the softer draw, and he might just act a little better on his Melbourne leg at this stage of his career.”
The Redoute’s Choice Stakes has been reduced to a six-horse field following scratchings on Friday morning, setting the stage for Aleppo Pine to bounce back to form.
He burst onto the scene with a sharp win on debut at Ballarat last December and had been earmarked for the Blue Diamond Series. After a dominant jump-out at Caulfield Heath, he started favourite in the Blue Diamond Prelude but faded late to finish fifth.
His most recent appearance came in the Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m) in Sydney on March 8, where he finished seventh after encountering trouble in the run.
To tune up for Saturday’s race, Aleppo Pine had a quiet trial at Hawkesbury on March 25.
“He’s had a soft trial since his somewhat luckless effort in the Todman, where he got his momentum impeded which was not ideal,” Cummings said.
“Dropping back to 1100 metres is also looking good. He’s a quick colt and from the soft draw I’d like to see him show the foot he showed first-up last year.”
“It would be good to see him get back on the board, and to win Stakes race would be ideal.”
Jye McNeil, who steered Aleppo Pine to his debut win, will reunite with the colt at Caulfield on Saturday.
More Racing News
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Mile test for Harry’s Yacht in 2026 Vobis Gold Reef
Will Larkin is confident the timing is right to test Harry’s Yacht over the mile when the gelding contests Saturday’s Vobis Gold Reef at Flemington. The four-year-old has enjoyed a strong preparation to date, registering two wins at benchmark level and adding two placings in Vobis races over 1200 metres. Training in...