It’s been quite a tough and competitive Spring Carnival so far but wins with Regal Lion, Noble Steed and Lincoln Rocks certainly added some positivity to the week.
Their performances were very well deserved, particularly for some patient ownership groups. It’s been a bit of a waiting game with Lincoln Rocks in recent times, chasing the right track conditions but once he got them, he didn’t miss in the Kyneton Cup.
Lincoln Rocks wins 2025 Kyneton Cup.
We’ve got a lighter line-up this weekend but there are still some noteworthy chances to keep an eye on.
Interesting Debutants
BEST TERMS – Pakenham R2 @6:45pm Friday
This 3yo gelded son of Maurice steps out over 1400m. Purchased off an impressive trial win in NZ, he’s continued his good trial form in Australia, the latest of those against Group quality older horses. He bumps into a handy one of Maher’s that is already stakes placed, and he’s a horse who is far from the finished article but if he gets luck from the draw, he’s talented enough to be in the finish. He does shape as one to follow.
LASSIFIED – Tauherenikau (NZ) R2 @11:33am ADST Sunday
A pre-Christmas debut over 1000m with a daughter of a Golden Slipper winner (Stay Inside) is not the usual OTI flavour, but this filly is straightforward, precocious and ready to go. Drawn 1, she brings the only bit of outside trial form with her competitors having all been up against each other previously. It’s hard to say a horse is well placed when they’re all on debut, but it does look that way. Hopefully it’s a winning start for her all-female ownership group.
Flemington Features
WYMARK – Flemington R2 @1:15pm Saturday
The Group 2 steps out for the first time in different hands, with Gavin Bedggood set to start him over 1600m after a freshen-up. Not much has gone right since Wymark put on our colours, but it’s hoped a change of scenery will help spark some form. Provided we get a nice surface, somewhere in the good to soft range, we’d like to see him staying on well, showing some enthusiasm and beating a handful home.
HEZASHOCKA – Flemington R5 @3:10pm Saturday
The Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2600m, hopefully run on soft ground, looks a nice spot for this tough old gelding. It’s been a while between drinks, but he found the line soundly late on at Bendigo on unsuitable ground and has reached the stage of his preparation where we can start to expect more of him. Although he’ll go around a big price, it wouldn’t surprise to see him return to form here if the rain is falling.
Around the Grounds
DIDN’T MISS MANY – Pakenham R7 @9:15pm Friday
This two-time winning grey returns as a gelding for the first time. As a horse who finished 5th at Listed level as a 3yo and looks to have genuine metro ability, you’d expect him to be running very well in a 1400m BM66. If he’s running on into the first 3, that would be a good sign for the campaign ahead. Perhaps he can shape into a Subzero Handicap contender for this time next year!
GUIDO – Ararat R1 @1:30pm Sunday
The 4000m test is right up this gelding’s alley. The last time we saw him near this trip, he delivered an 8-length Valley romp. After trending well in city races, his last run at Mornington can be forgiven but it’s time for him to step up and feature in this BM70 event to ensure he gets his chance in a Jericho Cup at the end of the month.
SALCHOW is also engaged at Geelong on Saturday but given the ground conditions and inclement weather, he is highly likely to be saved for another day. Dan O’Sullivan does believe the gelding is prepping up well, so hopefully he can bob up and feature first up in the coming weeks.
This weekend is a quieter one for the team as the Carnival begins to wind down, though we’ll still be watching closely as our runners look to round out the last few weeks of the spring on a strong note.
