Extragalactic's Flemington mission in McEwen Stakes
While many in the racing world will lament the closure of the old Moonee Valley track, trainer Trent Edmonds isn't lamenting the timing of its renovation.
This Saturday marks the first Cox Plate meeting to be held away from 'The Valley', and Edmonds is set to be at Flemington with Extragalactic, the standout performer from his Pakenham stable.
The accomplished mare is scheduled to contest the $300,000 Group 2 McEwen Stakes, a 1200-metre sprint.
This outing will represent her third start this campaign, with each previous race having been held at Moonee Valley.
It's worth noting that the four-year-old's only previous run at the notoriously tight Moonee Ponds circuit was at the farewell Cox Plate Day meeting last year, where she finished ninth in the Listed Crockett Stakes (1200m).
"She's a different horse from 12 months ago, but the day that she ran at The Valley in the Crockett on Cox Plate day last year, she didn't quite get around it that well," Edmonds remarked.
"So I'm not complaining about the about the races not being there this year.
"I'm sure once it's reconfigured and we're back there, she'll race there at some stage, but she's going to butter up at Flemington on Saturday and she's in good form."
The Crockett Stakes is one of only two races where Extragalactic has failed to place in her nine career starts. The other was her fourth-place finish in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at Sandown, which kicked off her current preparation.
Her most recent performance saw her finish second to Jimmysstar in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Edmonds expressed satisfaction that the McEwen Stakes has been relocated to Flemington, seeing it as an opportunity for Extragalactic to gain experience on the straight track and potentially earn a start in major races held at the same venue.
"It is an audition for possibly the Champions Sprint, or even the Lightning or Newmarket in the autumn.
"I wanted to give her a look down there for the future basically.
"It'll be interesting, we're obviously hopeful she'll handle it, but there's only one way we're going to find out.
"Not that it's dead straight, but she's done a lot of work up the back at the turf club here (Pakenham) on what we call the rise track, which is like a dog leg and then straight for sort of 900 metres.
"We've done a little bit of work with her up there since the Manikato, she gets up there well, and I'm very happy with her."
Extragalactic is one of 14 horses entered for the McEwen Stakes, facing potential competition from Jigsaw, Splash Back, Mazu, Rey Magnerio, and Smooth Chino.
Consider the betting markets for the McEwen Stakes at top Australian betting sites.
More Racing News
Blind Raise's faith rewarded with Cox Plate start
Trent Busuttin is aware that if the primary goal was to secure a Group 1 victory, the more prudent strategy would be to send Blind Raise to Sydney for this Saturday's Spring Champion Stakes.Nevertheless, he also recognises that the type of opportunity that has arisen this year is not a...
Caulfield Cup fall victim Half Yours is back home and doing well
Good news has emerged regarding the riders involved in the Caulfield Cup, with the Victorian Jockeys Association reporting both have been discharged from hospital.Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were transported to the Alfred Hospital after a dramatic fall during the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.The sequence of events saw Half Yours,...
Mr Brightside's Flemington Mile participation uncertain
The Lindsay Park training outfit, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, will hold off on confirming Mr Brightside's start at Flemington until the acceptance stage.Mr Brightside is expected to be nominated for the Group 2 Kia Ora Stud Mile (1600m) this Saturday, though Ben Hayes indicated he is only...
Warwoven's Cox Plate Prospects to be Decided by King's Ride
Melbourne's racing scene is abuzz as Sydney jockey Rachel King prepares to reunite with Warwoven for a crucial track gallop. This workout is designed to give the final go-ahead for the Bjorn Baker-trained colt's potential entry into the esteemed Cox Plate at Flemington.King, who celebrated a Caulfield Guineas victory aboard...
Infancy's The Invitation prospects while in foal
Dual stakes winner Infancy is eagerly awaiting a potential start in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick, a race that could significantly boost her career accolades before she transitions to her role as a broodmare.The six-year-old mare has recently been served by the promising young sire Anamoe. Her trainer,...
Tempted claims The Everest crown in thrilling renewal
The tenth running of The Everest delivered a familiar outcome at the top but with a new champion crowned, as Tempted outdueled Ka Ying Rising before a record-breaking crowd of 52,110.For trainer Ciaron Maher, this victory represents his second success in The Everest, building on Bella Nipotina's triumph in 2024....
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...
War Machine back in winning form at Caulfield
A great deal has transpired for War Machine over the past twelve months.On the equivalent weekend last year, the horse trained by Ben, Will, and Jd Hayes, War Machine, was competing in Sydney for The Everest.While the results didn't align with the Lindsay Park trainers' aspirations, War Machine had entered...