A quartet of runners will carry the navy and gold silks around Australia this weekend, including at Flemington, Newcastle and Ballarat.
Saturday
Two gallopers step out in the Group 3 Frances Tressady Stakes over 1400m (Race 9 – 5:20 pm) at Flemington today.
Exciting mare Chaillot returns to the track for the first time since her promising spring preparation, where she finished third in the Group 3 Ladies’ Day Vase and fourth in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes. Following a four-month spell, she is rearing to go and has a flawless first-up record at Flemington. Trainer Archie Alexander can’t fault her work and was pleased with her recent trial at Geelong. We’re looking forward to seeing her commence her autumn campaign and expect her to be very competitive with Declan Bates aboard.
Hasstobegood is also first-up in the Group 3 race, resuming after a four week freshen up. Grahame Begg was pleased with her trial win earlier this week and reported that her work at home has been impeccable. She returns to the location of her last victory, where she stormed home to win by four lengths on New Year’s Day. With in-form jockey Jamie Kah in the saddle, we expect to see the pair running a bold race.
At Newcastle, My Swashbuckler lines up in the Provincial Championships Qualifier over 1400m (Race 7 – 5:24 pm). Trainer Kris Lees has taken a patient approach with him during his eight-month spell and believes he is in excellent order ahead of the race. With two good trials under his belt and suitable soft conditions, we anticipate that he will run very well. Alysha Collett takes the ride from barrier seven.
Sunday
At Ballarat, Trench Warfare is third-up in a Benchmark 64 over 1600m (Race 5 – 3:45 pm) for Matt Cumani. He galloped strongly this week, and his fitness levels will be peaking following two solid performances. The stable reported that they couldn’t be happier with his progression and believe he is poised for a big run. With Billy Egan jumping from barrier four, we expect to see him put in a strong performance and be right in the finish.
Wishing connections the best of luck!
