2025 Leon Macdonald Stakes next for Wild Imagination

Veteran mare Wild Imagination will continue her spring preparation in Saturday’s Group 3 Leon Macdonald Stakes (1400m) at Morphettville, with trainer David Page eyeing both local country cups and a possible trip to Western Australia for the Perth Cup.
A winner of the Listed Premier’s Plate (2000m) earlier this year – Page’s biggest success as a trainer – Wild Imagination has resumed with runs in the Mildura Cup and Behemoth Stakes. While not yet at her best distance, the mare has pleased connections with her efforts and is rated a longshot at $51 this weekend.
“She’s probably not at her right trip just yet but just with her rating as high as it is, it’s a bit hard to place her,” Page said. “Last time in, she went a lot better when we raced her every 10 to 14 days so we thought we’d run in the Behemoth last start and we picked up a bit of chaff money. We’ll keep poking her along and probably go to the Balaklava Cup after Saturday.”
Page also revealed long-term plans to travel interstate. “I’m going to head to Esperance in November for the season over there so, all going well, we’ll take her over there and possibly run her in the Perth Cup. We’ve been planning the trip for a couple of years and it’s all happening now so we’ll see how we go.”
Saturday’s Leon Macdonald Stakes is shaping as a strong race, with Victorian contenders Splash Back, Running By and Café Millenium heading the betting, but Page believes Wild Imagination can continue to hold her own.
Bettors interested in Wild Imagination’s progress towards the Balaklava Cup and potentially the Perth Cup can find markets through leading betting sites.
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