Vinrock eyes 2025 Caulfield Guineas via Moonee Valley outing

Vinrock will stay close to home as trainer Matt Laurie and Yulong map out a path toward the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas.

Although the colt was entered for the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) in Sydney, connections opted to focus on the Group 2 Stutt Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on Friday night, believing it provides the best stepping stone into the Caulfield classic on October 11.

Laurie said the Guineas, often regarded as a stallion-making race, was the ultimate goal, and avoiding interstate travel offered Vinrock the clearest preparation.

The colt already has a Group 1 on his CV courtesy of last season’s ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). This spring he finished fourth over 1200m at Caulfield first-up before impressing with victory in the Listed Exford Plate (1400m).

“We had a good think about it, and we just felt to give him the best chance to be back for the Guineas it would be to stay home and run in the Stutt,” Laurie said.

“Hopefully it’s another Group race he can add to his resume and then he can take his chance in the Guineas.

“I don’t think it will hurt him having a strong, 1600-metre run before the Guineas.

“We’ve been to Sydney before with him. I’m not worried about the travel, but for his primary goal (the Guineas) we’re better off staying home and focusing on this.”

Just three horses this century — Helenus (2002), Whobegotyou (2008) and Griff (2023) — have managed the Stutt Stakes–Caulfield Guineas double.

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