After a most exciting, but unlucky run in the Group 1 South Australian Derby for Warmonger last Saturday, we look ahead to a busy weekend of runners across the globe. Some of the highlights of the weekend includes Rivaport, Hezashocka and Regal Lion, who are all running in stakes-class/Cup races.
Starting off the day on Saturday is Regal Lion in the Gold Coast Cup over 2400m at the Sunshine Coast. The 5yo was narrowly beaten in his last start over 2200m at Eagle Farm and also placed 2nd in the Listed Albury Cup the start prior.
“He galloped on the Doomben course proper this morning with a stablemate. He led up the work and was solid through the line. John Allen is booked to ride again and off this morning’s work we are confident he’s going well.”, said trainer Annabel Neasham.
Regal Lion will jump from barrier 4, carrying 55.5kg. See the whole field and all race details here.
Following a hopefully successful run from Regal Lion, we’d be looking for Hezashocka to repeat the dose in the Listed Gosford Gold Cup. The son of Shocking delivered another encouraging performance last start, when finishing 3rd in the Group 3 JRA Plate at Randwick.
Since then, the 5yo has trained on beautifully in Sydney and the stable believes him to be in a great space mentally and physically ahead of Saturday’s race. While it has been a while since we saw Hezashocka in the winners stall, he gets a great chance to do so at Gosford.
Find all race details and the full field of 14 horses here.
Lastly, talented 6yo mare Rivaport will take her place in the Listed Centaurea Stakes at Morphettville. With her last four runs at black-type level, the mare has certainly proven her she’s up to the class over her right journey. After finishing third two starts ago in the Group 3 Epona Stakes at Rosehill, the mare finished 4 lengths behind the leader in a slowly run Group 2 Queen Of The South Stakes last start. That was viewed as a prep run for Saturday’s Listed event.
“She pulled up well from her race in Adelaide and returned back to our Cranbourne stables in good order. Daniel Stackhouse has been booked to ride her and she will appreciate the rise in distance to 2000m. She was left a bit flat footed last start, but I thought she still ran very well.”, commented trainer Grahame Begg in an update to owners.
Click here to see the full field and all race details for the Listed Centaurea Stakes.
We will cover off all our runners across the globe in video our preview on Friday!