Road to the Melbourne Cup for Aberfeldie Boy starts again
As he starts to get rolling, a minor setback seems to always interferes with the progress of the Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock-trained Aberfeldie Boy.
The gelding returns from his most recent hiccup in the RDA Daylesford Lesley Hewitt Trophy (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Aberfeldie Boy had his last campaign halted by a bruised heel after finishing fourth in the Group 3 Easter Cup (2000m) at Caulfield in April, just as they were looking to building on that run.
The Group 3 The Andrew Ramsden (2800m) at Flemington last month with a potential trip to Queensland for the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (3200m) on Saturday week had been in the pipeline for the gelding.
Instead, Aberfeldie Boy will remain in Melbourne for the winter and contest the Banjo Patterson Series for the older stayers with the potential of contesting the Deane Lester Flemington Cup 1849 (2800m) at Flemington on July 20.
“He will need the run a little bit on Saturday, but he’s got good strong stamina so it shouldn’t be too much of a problem for him,” de Kock said.
“His Easter Cup run was excellent and it’s a pity we couldn’t build on that, but hopefully we’ll get back to that.
“We had a bruised heel which put him out of work for a little bit. He’s a bit rusty, for sure, but I think getting him Flemington will help him.
“We’ll try and follow the Banjo Patterson Series and then maybe get him to the Deane Lester and then freshen him up for the spring.”
Aberfeldie Boy has only one win from 12 starts to his credit but has an abundance of staying promise having run third in the Victoria Derby and South Australian Derby as a three-year-old.
Longterm Griffiths and de Kock would like to see Aberfeldie Boy line up in the Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday in November.
The best way for Aberfeldie Boy to guarantee a start would be to win one of the ‘Golden Ticket’ races, either Group 2 Hotham Handicap (2500m) in September or the Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2500m) the following month.
“If he can get one of the ‘Golden Tickets’ in the spring, that would be ideal,” de Kock said.
“We’ve been patient with him, so hopefully it pays off.”
More Racing News
Vein Girl impresses in rich Magic Millions The Debut win
Vein Girl has put herself in contention for next month’s $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic with a strong win on debut under lights at the Gold Coast’s first night meeting. The Chris and Corey Munce-trained Vein Girl was sent out the $3.50 favourite with betting sites in Friday night’s $250,000...
Pallaton races into 2025 Golden Slipper contention
Pallaton has stamped himself as a two-year-old colt to watch heading into 2025 with an impressive debut win at Randwick. Trained by Michael Freedman and ridden by Tommy Berry, Pallaton raced to a 2-3/4-length victory in Saturday’s Shinzo @ Coolmore Plate (1000m) and firmed to be among the early favourites in Golden Slipper...
Arriving Home set to target the Magic Millions Guineas 2025
Trainer Bjorn Baker would love to get lightly raced filly Arriving Home into the Magic Millions Guineas next month after the three-year-old remained unbeaten with a tough win at Randwick. Stepping up from a midweek city maiden win at Warwick Farm on debut earlier this month into Saturday’s Petaluma Handicap (1300m) – a...
Goldman digs deep in the Pakenham Cup 2024
One time Melbourne Cup favourite, Goldman has notched up his fourth win in Australia, leading throughout to take the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) under Beau Mertens. Jumping an $8.50 chance, Goldman’s staying prowess was on show as he kicked back to deny Grand Pierro ($19) by a long head, with $3.30 betting site...
The Kings horse Gilded Water wins at Randwick
Imported stayer Gilded Water has made it back-to-back victories in Australia and has given his owner, His Majesty King Charles III, a winner at Royal Randwick. The King’s racing manager John Warren was on track at Randwick on Saturday as the Ciaron Maher-trained Gilded Water raced to a convincing victory in the...
Here To Shock gives Lindsay Park quinella in The Supernova
Ben, Will & Jd Hayes had the numbers two and three seed to knock off race-favourite Nadal in Saturday’s $1 million The Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham and did just that, with Here To Shock, ridden by Daniel Stackhouse, edging stablemate Arkansaw Kid in a thrilling stable quinella. Here To Shock ($4.60) trailed a strong...
Kevin Daffy happy to wait with Oh Too Good ahead of VOBIS Gold Bullion
Trainer Kevin Daffy says there is still plenty of time to chase the big league with his lightly-raced mare Oh Too Good. A winner of four of her seven starts with three runner-up finishes as well, Oh Too Hard runs in the VOBIS Gold Bullion (1400m) at Pakenham on Saturday. Daffy was sounded...
Bedggood chases rich The Supernova prize
Two rising nine-year-olds, both resuming, will give Gavin Bedggood a potential shot at his biggest payday as a trainer. A former jockey, Bedggood has been plying his trade as a trainer since 2017 and during the recent Melbourne Spring Carnival prepared Mornington Glory to land his first Group 1 success. Just Folk and Windstorm, both...
Collett hoping for Dream Brisbane raid in BJ McLachlan Stakes and Magic Millions Falvelon
A pair of promising two-year-olds from the Ciaron Maher stable have lured top Sydney hoop Jason Collett to Queensland for back-to-back meetings this weekend. Collett is heading north to partner filly Life After Love in the $250,000 Magic Millions The Debut (1000m) at the Gold Coast on Friday night and her Maher-trained stablemate...
Theodore aims to keep strike-rate going in Christmas Cup at Murray Bridge
Trainer Stephen Theodore is looking to Divine Fire keeping his impressive strike-rate going when she shoots for a winning hat-trick on Saturday. After victories at Morphettville and Gawler, Divine Fire runs in the Christmas Cup (1600m) at Murray Bridge with Jacob Opperman in the saddle. Since returning to training ranks at the start of...
