Although we are truly into the winter months now, we still have a busy enough weekend ahead with runners across Australia. Our stand-out competitors of the weekend are likely to feature on Sunday in New South Wales and Queensland.
We kick off on Saturday with Step Aside, who will travel down from Sydney to take his place in Race 2 at Caulfield. After struggling with the heavy surface first-up at Rosehill, trainer Chris Waller decided to make the trip south and start the gelding in the Benchmark 78 over 1400m. While the current track rating at Caulfield is in the soft range, Waller is hopeful conditions will suit well enough for Step Aside to show his true potential again. See all race details here.
Talented two-year-old filly Loafer, a full-sister to multiple Group 2 place-getter Vivy Air will head back to town at Caulfield. After winning impressively at her second career start at Echuca, Loafer will compete in the 2yo Handicap over 1100m.. Her trainer, Archie Alexander, has always been fond of the filly and hopes she can follow in the footsteps of her full-sister and reach black-type level.
Loafer on return at Echuca.
With Declan Bates back on board, the filly will jump from barrier 5, carrying 57.5kgs. See the full field and all race details here.
In Sydney, we have 4yo gelding Fortune stepping out for his second Australian start at Randwick over the 1800m journey.
“He travelled well but obviously he wasn’t 100% fit first up and he felt that in the closing stages of the race. He has taken a lot from his first start.” said the Neasham team.
Apprentice Zac Wadick is booked to ride and will claim 3kg from his original allocated 61kgs. See the full field here.
Rounding off the action on Saturday will be Flashing Steel at Doomben. After struggling to finish off the race at Warwick Farm last start, trainer Annabel Neasham thinks a change of scenery will be good for the gelding and has elected to run him in the Benchmark 85 Handicap (Race 8) on Saturday. With a low draw and conditions to suit, he gets his chance to bounce back.
Sunday’s runners include our highlights for the weekend, Cepheus and Hezashocka.
Hezashocka will race in the Listed Coloundra Cup, which was postponed from last week due to unsuitable track conditions. This weekend’s race conditions should be well suited to Hezashocka, who thrives on a soft surface. With two impressive wins this preparation, the Group 3 Premier’s Cup and Listed Gosford Gold Cup, the gelding looks to be in career best form. See current nominations for the race here.
Hezashocka wins G3 Premier’s Cup at Eagle Farm.
Cepheus is planned to take his place in the South Grafton Quality Cup over 1610m at Grafton on Sunday. After a luckless campaign with unsuitable track conditions, trainer Matt Dunn is hopeful the surface keeps improving. Provided he gets the right ground, with two runs under his belt now and Nash Rawiller reuniting, he’ll get his chance to go back-to-back in this race and qualify for the Big Dance. See all nominations for the here.
With a few exciting horses going around this weekend, we hope to secure another winner or two for connections. Our full weekend preview video will be out later this week!