Canterbury Stakes next for in-form Napoleonic
It's been a decade since a three-year-old triumphed in the Canterbury Stakes, but co-trainer Tom Charlton is confident Napoleonic has reached the ideal point in his prep to challenge that statistic.
Holler was the last of his vintage to overcome the older speedsters in 2016, and curiously, he was under the care of Charlton's fellow trainer John O'Shea.
Both secured the Red Anchor Stakes (1200m) at Flemington the spring before, and both approach this Group 1 dropping from 1400m, a pattern Charlton believes benefits Napoleonic on Saturday.
"That should leave him in good stead this weekend," Charlton said.
"He's got good form, he comes into this third-up and, we feel, ready to run the best race of his preparation, which should put him right among the chances."
March 7 has been highlighted on the schedule for Napoleonic for some time, but his second place in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m) confirmed his race choice.
The Randwick Guineas (1600m) was also considered by O'Shea and Charlton, though they opted for the snappier distance.
"We always had this race day as a plan, and we were just going to work out whether it was Randwick Guineas or Canterbury Stakes," Charlton said.
"His last run was excellent, but we concluded the best option would be coming back to the 1300, rather than try to stretch him to a Randwick mile."
Notwithstanding the absence of three-year-old winners lately in the Canterbury Stakes (1300m), Napoleonic will line up with Beiwacht and Nepotism from the same age group.
O'Shea and Charlton's strong contingent also features resuming stars Linebacker, the 2024 Randwick Guineas champion, and Yorkshire, winner of The Ingham.
They chase Doncaster Mile glory, Yorkshire overcoming a minor issue that scratched him from the Liverpool City Cup last weekend, while Linebacker has targeted this as his seasonal debut.
Scintillation, the juvenile, skips Randwick following a poor draw in the Reisling Stakes (1200m).
Instead, per Charlton, she heads to the Group 3 Ottawa Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on the day.
"She's going to run in Melbourne. Just the draw was a bit tricky in Sydney on Saturday.
"She did a good job on debut. She's a nice, racy filly and hopefully we can get some black type.
Check the latest online bookmakers for racing betting markets on the Canterbury Stakes.
More Racing News
Betwitchery ready to extend winning streak first-up
Betwitchery is set to extend her winning sequence as she makes her return to the racetrack at Flemington.The Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin-trained mare is scheduled to begin her new racing campaign in the VRC Member Brendan Sobozynski Plate, a 1200-metre contest, this Saturday.Betwitchery, who has won five...
Littlefield targets Magnolia Cup after Flemington engagements
Trainer Charlotte Littlefield is scheduled to travel back to the UK in approximately a week to participate in a charity race at the renowned Glorious Goodwood Festival.The Magnolia Cup is a distinguished charity event this year supporting Education Above All. It aims to gather funds to ensure access to education,...
General Salute set for Winter Challenge under favourable wet conditions
The arrival of overnight rain has alleviated Sterling Alexiou's primary concern regarding General Salute's prospects in the final black-type race of the Sydney season, following his recent victory in the Winter Stakes.All four of the gelding's previous wins have been recorded on rain-affected tracks. Earlier in the week, with Rosehill...
Burning Heartz set for Adelaide Stakes test
Trainer Gavin Bedggood envisions a future for Burning Heartz in an Oaks race, but his immediate goal is to secure some valuable Stakes black type for the filly.Burning Heartz, a winner on debut at Sandown on July 1, is now heading to Adelaide to contest the Group 3 South Australian...
King Pedro defies odds in thrilling Grafton Cup victory
King Pedro has cemented his credentials for the spring staying races following an exceptional display to win the Listed Grafton Cup, navigating a slow-paced affair.Trainer Tom Charlton, observing from his Sydney base, admitted to initial apprehension regarding the track's bias against backmarkers. These nerves were amplified when Tahlia Fenlon, on...
Flemington debut for apprentice Bailey Kinninmont
Apprentice jockey Bailey Kinninmont is hoping to leverage his recent metropolitan success into a victory at the prestigious Flemington Racecourse, the iconic venue for the Melbourne Cup.The 28-year-old rider is set to experience Flemington for the first time this Saturday, partnering Lake Vostok in the RMBL Investments Rising Stars Final,...
Rosehill track to host Charlton-trained runners
A late-season two-year-old contest is earmarked as a significant marker for Forest King, as trainer Tom Charlton seeks to gain a clearer understanding of the gelding's spring aspirations.The gelding is set to make his return in the Kia Ora Bloodlines to Headlines Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday. His juvenile...
Zabiari's blinker switch for Winter Challenge prospects
The Ciaron Maher stable is hoping that the introduction of blinkers will assist French import Zabiari in rediscovering his best overseas form as he prepares for the final stakes event of the Sydney racing season.Zabiari, a dual Group 3 winner over a mile in France, made his Australian debut in...
Seiaye's chances boosted by wider draw
Peter Snowden is not worried about a wide barrier draw for the two-year-old Seeiaye and actually prefers it.The youngster, who usually runs on-speed, has had trouble jumping cleanly a few times in his five starts. Considering this, Snowden is happy with barrier eight out of 12 for Seeiaye in Saturday's...
Band Of Brothers leads all the way in Ramornie Handicap
Trainer Matt Dunn concluded a career-defining season when his quick sprinter Band Of Brothers displayed remarkable stamina to lead from start to finish in the Listed $200,000 Ramornie Handicap (1200m) at Grafton on Wednesday.Band Of Brothers made amends for a below-par last-start performance and successfully resisted numerous challengers in the...