After two Group 1 placings last weekend, our attention once again turns to some key lead up races for the spring, as we also welcome back one of our most promising horses to racing.
Pemberley makes his spring return, in the 1600m Bairnsdale Cup on Sunday at 4:50 pm. Last season we saw the quality he does possess, with a Placing in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes, another placing in the Group 2 Brisbane Cup and a win in the Murtoa Cup. Last season, he really did go to another level, which lead to him being competitive with some serious Group 1 horses. This campaign, we will be hoping he is able to replicate that as he progresses into the bigger races this spring.
On Sunday, he is rated 4 points higher than any other horse, and as a result, has been allocated the top weight of 60kg’s. In the past, he has been able to carry heavy weights, with three wins and two placings, from his six starts when he has carried 57kg’s or more. Linda Meech will ride him, and he has been allocated barrier 1. While this isn’t his Grand Final, we will be expecting a good showing from him.
Thanos will be looking to get his first win of the campaign in Murtoa on Saturday. After two promising runs this preparation, he finds himself in a very winnable BM58 race, over 2050m, with a start time of 2:56 pm. Declan Bates will ride from barrier 2 and carry 60kg’s. After nearly a year since his last win, hopefully, he can get his second win for his connections this Saturday.
We then head to Flemington for Turnbull Stakes Day. In what will be a bumper crowd, we saddle up two runners in a program highlighted by Winx’s debut at Flemington. Following the Turnbull Stakes, we find our first runner of the day; Angelic Spirit lining up the Group 2, 1600m Edward Manifold Stakes at 3:50 pm. After a strong fourth last start, she will be looking to add some black type form to her name, in what seems a very tough race. With the race being a set weights race, she will carry 55.5kg’s, and Michael Walker takes the ride.
Our Saturday concludes with Kellstorm lining up in The Bart Cummings, which is a 2500m Group 3 race set to start at 4:30 pm. This race is considered one of the best lead up races for the Melbourne Cup, as the winner guarantees themselves a start in the race. This year’s edition features last year’s Melbourne Cup winner in Almandin, who also won this race last year in very convincing fashion. Kellstorm has very different form lines to his rivals this race, with his last four runs being in Adelaide. After getting three wins in a row at Morphettville, he was disappointed in his previous start where he finished 6th. With Ben Allen carrying 54kg’s from barrier 8, hopefully, he can regain his form as he pushes towards the spring.
Mighty Quinn begins our Sunday runners, in a 2046m Maiden in Seymour at 11:50 am. After a solid run at Moonee Valley last Friday, he will be looking to break his maiden, as the promising 3YO looks towards the Victorian Derby. Jordan Childs will once again ride him and carry 56kg’s from barrier 2. The step down in class and the step up in the distance should make him a top chance.
In the very next race at Seymour, we find Missy Zippy in a 2046m Maiden at 12:20 pm. After a disappointing first run the last start, we will be hoping she was able to take a lot of benefit out of her first run. Zac Spain has been booked to ride at 54kg’s and will jump from barrier 2.
Good luck to all connections involved.
