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
Organised Crime aims to conquer Blue Sapphire
Cranbourne-based trainer Lloyd Kennewell is anticipating a highly competitive Group 1 sprint for three-year-olds at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week, labelling it the race of the spring.Kennewell is preparing two strong colts, Organised Crime and Mbube, for the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) set to take place on October 31.The former,...
Beadman benefits from return to Randwick
A homecoming to Randwick is expected to suit Beadman much better, after the promising sprinter fell victim to the Caulfield curse during a quick trip to Melbourne.The tricky Caulfield track has tripped up many a Sydney-trained galloper, and the four-year-old was one of them, getting too far back from a...
Caulfield Cup presents weighty challenge for Half Yours
Tony and Calvin McEvoy, the father-and-son training duo, are fully cognizant of the significant task that lies before them as Half Yours aims for a consecutive Caulfield Cup triumph.Having previously won the Cup with one of the lowest weights, Half Yours will now carry the burden of topweight in the...
St Leger Stakes runners still in Melbourne Cup calculations
Klondike, a former European import, has not followed a conventional Australian preparation for a staying event, but his trainers maintain confidence in his fitness and stamina.The gelding will contest Saturday's St Leger Stakes (2600m) in only his second start in 16 months, having been sidelined by a tendon injury subsequent...
Beiwacht's Silver Eagle run set to prime him for Golden Eagle tilt
Chris Waller is favouring a strategy of race fitness over a spell as he meticulously plans Beiwacht's pathway to a major Group 1 double.The accomplished Group 1 winner has returned to Sydney following a run where he finished outside the top three in the Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on...
Miss Waititi's path to be decided in Ethereal Stakes
Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr's filly, Miss Waititi, might be set for a tilt at the Victoria Derby, contingent on her performance in an upcoming Caulfield race.The Group 3 Ethereal Stakes, a 2000-metre contest on Saturday, will serve as the deciding factor for Miss Waititi's campaign, determining whether she...
Ninja's prospects enhanced by rain in The Everest
The usual gloom associated with a rainy week preceding a major race day has, surprisingly, become a source of optimism for connections of Ka Ying Rising's rivals in The Everest.While the undisputed top horse remains a strong $1.50 favourite for Saturday's $20 million sprint, uncertainties about his wet-track capabilities have...
Maher's Victoria Derby defence gears up at Caulfield
The pursuit of a second successive Victoria Derby win for Ciaron Maher is intensifying this weekend, as his top two colts prepare for their final hit-outs before the $3 million Group 1 feature.Vallice and Skua are scheduled to compete in the $240,000 Group 3 Sportsbet Classic over 2000 metres at...
Siena Grima's Everest Day Debut
Siena Grima, a celebrated apprentice jockey, is on the cusp of fulfilling a major career ambition as she prepares to ride at the highly anticipated The Everest day meeting for the very first time.The past twelve months have been extraordinary for Grima. Her transition to leading trainer Chris Waller's stable...
Coongy Handicap secured by Ziryab under Johnstone's guidance
Apprentice jockey Jabez Johnstone has been on a remarkable ascent since his relocation from Tasmania to the prominent Ciaron Maher stable on the mainland.Following his maiden Stakes race victory earlier this month, Johnstone added the Group 3 Coongy Handicap (2000m) to his growing list of achievements on Wednesday, masterfully steering...