Deltason to end campaign on a winning high in 2025 WA Sires Produce Stakes
Meryl Hayley’s patience with Deltason could be rewarded at Ascot on Saturday as the juvenile prepares to contest the Group 3 WA Sires Produce Stakes (1400m), the final big race of the season for two-year-olds in Western Australia.
Deltason was denied a run in both the Perth Stakes (1100m) and Karrakatta Plate (1200m), missing the latter on prize money eligibility, but bounced back with a convincing maiden win over 1400m late last month.
“We were really looking forward to the 1400m,” Hayley told Tabradio.
“Like everyone else we knew he would get the trip and it was good to get him across the line to be honest.
“We were just praying there were no more barrier disasters with the horse.
“He’s been to the races a couple of times and not managed to get around.
“Every time he goes in the gates and comes out of them, we’re happy.
“Obviously we earmarked the Karrakatta and Sires with him but we just dipped out not having that run in the Perth Stakes.
“We’ll never know and it’s upwards and onwards, we just had to change tack through the prep and take a different route, and we still made it.”
The gelding will jump from barrier seven in a compact nine-runner field, and Hayley expects a similar run to his last, tracking midfield before finishing off with a burst.
“He’ll obviously settle a couple of pairs back like he did last start and hopefully be hitting the line,” she said.
“He’s fit as a fiddle and it’s a matter of keeping him mentally happy.”
Jockey Laqdar Ramoly is again aboard, and Hayley is already eyeing spring targets such as the WA Guineas (1600m) as potential goals next campaign.
“Oh, absolutely,” Hayley said.
“Even Laqdar says the further the better.
“He’s such a quiet horse that settles really well.
“He’s never been flighty or over races.
“After Saturday he’ll go for a long break, and we’ll bring him back for some of the feature races as a three-year-old.”
Among the opposition, Hayley expects Just Too Fly—runner-up in key lead-ups—and Fila Mia to provide a stern challenge in what shapes as a competitive edition of the Sires.
More Racing News
Lockwood's filly Extreme Taste faces draw challenge
Trainer Barry Lockwood initially commented that there wasn't much to say about his filly Extreme Taste "because she hasn't won yet," but upon further discussion, he is considerably more positive about her chances of success at Ipswich on Wednesday.Extreme Taste, a maiden after three starts, is set to compete in...
Sir Les refining his racecraft under Carmody's guidance
Craig Carmody is diligently working with promising three-year-old Sir Les, aiming to harness the gelding's natural talent, a skill he witnessed with the horse's dam, Everage, who also achieved stakes success.Sir Les, by All Too Hard, displayed impressive form winning his first two outings before a narrow fifth-place finish in...
Tennessee Bound to bypass Caulfield for Sandown assignment
While Tennessee Bound would likely be a leading contender for favouritism in the Caulfield race she is entered for, trainer Ciaron Maher is intent on continuing his measured approach with the undefeated mare.Consequently, the four-year-old is expected to make her next start in Wednesday's 1200-metre Evergreen Turf Handicap at Sandown.The...
Bellatrix Star's comeback looms in the Sir John Monash Stakes
Mark Walker is proceeding with caution regarding the return of the classy mare Bellatrix Star, based on his experiences with her over the past two seasons.This Saturday, the mare is expected to make her reappearance in the $200,000 Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield.The 1100-metre weight-for-age race will...
Hard Kick's preparation for major spring sprint begins
The traditional winter period typically isn't a springboard for success in the Coolmore Stud Stakes, but the Lindsay Park training team is pinning its hopes on Hard Kick.The unexposed gelding is poised to commence a campaign that has its sights set on the lucrative $2 million Group 1 sprint for...
Music Time set for Kosciuszko path in spring
Trainer Gratz Vella has confirmed that Music Time will be pointed towards The Kosciuszko during the Sydney spring carnival, foregoing the Group 1 Golden Rose for three-year-olds.Vella highlighted the irresistible appeal of The Kosciuszko for country trainers and indicated that the Golden Slipper placegetter might be better suited to the...
Tim Clark sees great potential in By Choice's return
Despite Tulloch Lodge's usual high benchmarks, their two-year-old season has been somewhat subdued. Nevertheless, their primary stable jockey, Tim Clark, anticipates that the current crop of youngsters will more than make up for lost ground as they transition to three-year-old racing.Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have seen 14 juvenile winners...
Sheza Alibi's move back to Pakenham imminent
The serious phase of training is fast approaching for Sheza Alibi.The exciting filly is drawing near the end of her northern sojourn in Queensland and will soon be repatriated to the Pakenham stable operated by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman.The daughter of Saxon Warrior journeyed north following her stunning victory...
Cellarmaster triumphs in a tight finish to claim the Winx Guineas
In a thrilling conclusion, Cellarmaster ($5.50) narrowly pipped Platinum Pantheon ($6.50) at the post, with Rustemo ($8.50) trailing in third, more than a length adrift.Leading bookmakers noted Cellarmaster's winning dividend at $5.50, while the favoured runner Within The Law ($2.60) failed to live up to expectations despite being heavily supported.The...
James Healy celebrates first stakes win with Arabian Rose in Glasshouse Handicap
Sunshine Coast trainer James Healy has secured his maiden stakes victory thanks to the unheralded mare Arabian Rose, who triumphed in the Listed Glasshouse Handicap on her home track at Caloundra.Initially listed as the third emergency when final acceptors were declared, Arabian Rose's place in the field was uncertain, with...