The 2018 Flemington racing carnival culminates this Saturday, where there are further group races up for grabs. OTI will be represented in two of those group races and are hoping to come away with the spoils.
The Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes has been a race in which we have proven most competitive in previous seasons with a second placing last year with Grey Lion and a third placing in 2016 with Tom Melbourne. This year’s line-up includes Gallic Chieftain, Lord Fandango and Casterton – all set to make their mark in the race.
Gallic Chieftain is coming off a gallant fourth in last Saturday’s G3 Lexus Stakes, a proven form race for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Trained by Darren Weir, Gallic Chieftain will be guided by in-form jockey John Allen. Representing the Alexander Racing stables is Lord Fandango who is backing up from his recent fourth place in the G3 Bendigo Cup. He takes his place in barrier two under the now three-time Melbourne Cup winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy. This is also a proven lead-up race, with the 2016 Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Francis of Assisi coming off a win in the Bendigo Cup. Prepared by Chris Waller since his recent arrival down under, Casterton will also be lining up in the race with jockey Corey Brown on board. In what was a pleasing first run on Australian soil in the Geelong Cup, Casterton will be looking to go close with the favourable rise in distance to 2600m.
To wrap up the day at Flemington, Aloisia contests the 2000m Group 2 Matriarch Stakes. In what was a slightly disappointing run last weekend in the G1 Empire Rose Stakes, we are looking to see her bounce back to the form she displayed earlier in her campaign. Michael Walker knows her well and will be back on board, suggesting that she will relish the step up to 2000m after working nicely through the line last Saturday.
Also racing around the country we have Shakopee and Savvy Acquisition for the Queensland based Tony Haydon stable. Savvy Acquisition will take his place in a 1400m maiden at the Gold Coast, while Shakopee will line up in a 1400m handicap at the Sunshine Coast.
Sunday then brings us to Ararat Cup day, where we have Master Zephyr and Scherzoso stepping out to contest the feature of the day – the Ararat Gold Cup over 2000m. Jumping from barriers seven and nine respectively, Master Zephyr will be aiming for a country cups double, given his victory in the Hamilton Cup last month. Scherzoso is showing continued improvement at each run back from a long lay-off.
We look forward to the last day of the carnival and would like to wish our connections the best of luck!
