Flemington assignment boosts Space Rider's Australian Guineas bid
At Flemington, Space Rider looks to strengthen his case for the Australian Guineas.
Trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, the horse contests the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) this Saturday at Flemington, priming him for the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) over the same course in two weeks' time.
The three-year-old hopes to secure a spot alongside Planet Red in the Australian Guineas, after his yard companion grabbed second place behind Observer in last Saturday's Autumn Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
Rider Ethan Brown, who guided Observer to the win, reunites with Space Rider for Saturday following his mount on the colt's resuming triumph in the Group 3 Manfred Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield back on January 24.
"It was a big win first-up. He sat three-wide, no cover," Kent Jnr said.
"He was there to be challenged but fought all of them off, but it's going to get harder from here on in, however Ethan Brown sticks.
"The colt of Chris Waller, Sixties, will be hard to beat. It looks to have come back really well, but our guy is a lovely big moving horse that is really going to love Flemington."
Space Rider has claimed all three of his successes first-up, but according to Kent Jnr, the roomier Flemington layout should favour the colt on this second-up assignment more than the snugger venues from past efforts.
The trainer was pleased with Planet Red's comeback performance at Caulfield seven days ago.
Having filled the runner-up berth in the Caulfield Guineas last spring—a contest where Space Rider ended up 11th—Planet Red closed strongly from off the pace with Jamie Kah in the saddle last weekend.
"If he had drawn a softer gate, he lands a pair or two closer and it might have been interesting," Kent Jnr said.
"He's going to thrive off that run and we're looking forward to the Australian Guineas."
Punters can explore online bookmakers for the best prices on the CS Hayes Stakes action.
The post Space Rider on Australian Guineas path first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
More Racing News
Flemington awaits Concord Connie's next bold move
Trainer Charlotte Littlefield hopes her talented filly Concord Connie can replicate her recent feat before entertaining grander aspirations.In her third race appearance at Flemington on Anzac Day, Concord Connie notched a breathtaking win by six lengths in sharp time.This Saturday, the filly heads back to Flemington to compete against the...
Dark Jewel Classic in sights for Harlem Queen
While Harlem Queen didn't sustain her early promise from age three, trainer Nathan Doyle feels confident after her trouble-free lead-up that she might restore reliable results.She returns Saturday in the Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) held at Scone, where despite preferring stamina tests ahead, barrier five positions her well for Doyle's...
Flemington run to decide Different Gravy's Queensland Derby chances
At Flemington, Different Gravy will put his Queensland Derby dreams to the test in upcoming action.Following a Listed triumph over 1800m at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day last year, trainer Henry Dwyer fixed his focus on the northern Derby.The Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm scheduled for May...
Abounding's scratch lets Napoleonic into Doomben 10,000 lineup
Confirmation has arrived that Napoleonic will join the Doomben 10,000 field, following Abounding's removal which opened the door for the colt in the elite Group 1 dash.Team members experienced a stressful seven days after the three-year-old earned second emergency status for the $1.5 million event, as reserve Beadman claimed a...
Snowden's stable loaded with top sprinters for feature clashes
Boasting a stable full of high-caliber sprinters primed for black-type action, trainer Peter Snowden enjoys the luxury of picking and choosing among several prestigious races.Just a couple of weeks earlier, Zealously claimed victory in the Hawkesbury Gold Rush (1100m), followed by King Of Roseau and Beadman grabbing interstate stakes wins...
Andrew Ramsden next for Zakouma in pursuit of Cup waiver
Zakouma's connections hadn't eyed the Flemington Melbourne Cup qualifier until after his latest appearance at the track.With three consecutive successes behind him, the gelding travelled to Flemington for Anzac Day duties, tipped to secure the 2000m benchmark 100 feature as the market's clear pick.Yet the race unfolded as a ordeal...
Morphettville return suits Tosen Water after skipping Flemington
With the Carnival now gone, Nichole Searle anticipates a potential triumph for Tosen Water upon racing's comeback to Morphettville's Parks track this coming Saturday.The veteran six-year-old mare seeks to outperform her previous couple of outings in the $65,000 Sportsbet Fast Form BM74 Handicap.Daughter of Tosen Stardom, she was accepted at...
Waller eyes Sun God's return in Luskin Star Stakes at Scone
For the upcoming two-day event at Scone, Chris Waller plans a substantial team, but the resuming Sun God stands out as the one he's particularly eager to watch in action.Among as many as 18 horses from the top trainer, the five-year-old begins his fresh preparation in Saturday's Listed Luskin Star...
McEvoy chases feature race streak at Scone after Gosford success
Following his double in feature races at the isolated Gosford card last week, jockey Kerrin McEvoy seeks another strong performance at Scone, with engagements across all six black-type races during the two-day carnival.At Gosford, McEvoy took the $500,000 The Coast (1600m) on Athantos and the Takeover Target Stakes (1100m) with...
I Am Carrot's strong win opens Queensland door for Dilmi
Nacim Dilmi, the young trainer, keeps building momentum for Domeland as I Am Carrot notched up their 30th victory with a standout showing on the Randwick Kensington circuit.Having previously been employed by Godolphin, Dilmi stepped into the private training role for the breeding and racing business at the beginning of...