Trainer William Haggas keen for Aussie return

Posted by RS NewsWire at 4:59pm on August 28th

Lake Forest missed the race that was to test his Golden Eagle credentials at York on Saturday, but William Haggas remains hopeful of being in Australia this spring.

And it is not just Sydney features that the canny English trainer has his eyes on.

Haggas said genuine consideration is being given to an attack on the Caulfield Cup with Galileo entire Klondike.

A Northern Hemisphere four-year-old, Klondike was Haggas’ lone entry for the $5 million Group 1 over 2400m at Caulfield on October 19 and is scheduled to undergo Racing Victoria’s veterinary testing on September 9 before potentially entering quarantine three days later.

“I’m always keen to come to Australia if we can and this is a nice, good, staying horse who likes fast ground, so he’s got the right profile,” Haggas said from York at the weekend.

Klondike has had eight starts for three wins, the most recent coming in the Group 3 Prix De Reux (2500m) at Deauville on August 3.

Haggas considers Klondike more suited to the Caulfield Cup than the $8 million Melbourne Cup (3200m), entries for which close next Tuesday.

Haggas has not had a runner in Victoria since the spring of 2019 when Raheen House was unplaced in the Herbert Power Stakes and Bendigo Cup.

He has enjoyed great success in Sydney in the interim, via the likes of Addeybb and Dubai Honour, and has not closed the door on a start in the $10 million Golden Eagle with Lake Forest even after last weekend’s late scratching after playing up in the barriers.

The son of No Nay Never was a late scratching from the Group 2 City Of York Stakes (1408m), which was to be the first start beyond six furlongs (1207m) for the colt who has won two of his seven starts and was runner-up in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot in June.

“Lake Forest was running here to see if he’d get seven-and-a-half (furlongs) for the Golden Eagle and then he got his leg over the stalls and couldn’t run,” Haggas said.

“He’s the one I’d like to run in Sydney on November 2nd.

“We’ll run at Doncaster now in the Park Stakes. Quarantine doesn’t start until the end of September, so he’ll go for a seven-furlong race at Doncaster.”

This year’s Group 2 Park Stakes (1414m) will be run on September 14.

More Racing News

Watson plans to Storm Away with the Magic Millions WA Classic

Storm Away delivered a strong first-up performance on debut at Ascot last Saturday. Trained by Mitchell Pateman, the gelding finished second but left a lasting impression despite the narrow defeat. After breaking slowly and racing wide, he surged to the front but was edged out by Monte Tremezzo by a long head. A...

Today

Seven internationals entered for Sydney autumn carnival

Maestro trainer William Haggas is once again setting his sights on Sydney’s prestigious autumn carnival, nominating three of his top runners, including the seasoned Group 1 campaigner, Dubai Honour. Haggas’ trio is part of a strong international contingent, with a total of seven overseas horses being aimed at marquee events. These...

Yesterday

G1 Lightning Stakes ures James McDonald to Melbourne

Top jockey James McDonald receives a flood of ride requests each week from leading stables, especially those based in Sydney. When major races clash between his hometown and Melbourne, deciding where to ride becomes a tough call. This Saturday, McDonald will head to Flemington to partner with the Chris Waller-trained Switzerland in...

Yesterday

Ndola out to win family race in CS Hayes Stakes

Lindsay Park trainers Ben, Ben & JD Hayes are still in pursuit of a victory in a race that holds deep significance for their family legacy. Saturday’s Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington is named in honor of their grandfather, Colin Hayes, a Hall of Fame trainer who founded...

Yesterday

Australasian Oaks campaign starts at Flemington

Trainer Dan O’Sullivan is setting his sights on Group 1 glory in Adelaide as his promising filly, Too Darn Discreet, begins her campaign at Flemington. Her ultimate target is the prestigious Australasian Oaks (2000m), scheduled for late April at Morphettville. She kicks off her autumn preparation this Saturday in the Listed...

Yesterday

Pride excited ahead of Ceolwulf’s return in G2 Apollo Stakes

Via Sistina and Ceolwulf are set to face off for just the second time in the Apollo Stakes at Randwick, a race that could spark a thrilling rivalry throughout the carnival. Both recognized as elite middle-distance runners, they may find the 1400-metre trip of Saturday’s race shorter than ideal. However, their...

Yesterday

Expressway Stakes the ‘Way to go early for Joliestar

Chris Waller’s Apollo Stakes contenders will take center stage at Randwick this Saturday, but the champion trainer also has strong support in the day’s other $300,000 Group 2 races. Joliestar has been entered for the 1400-metre Apollo alongside Via Sistina, Fangirl, and Atishu, but is set to begin her campaign in...

Feb 11th

Black Caviar Lightning Stakes could be the making of Maher’s Empire

The only certainty is that Growing Empire will kick off his campaign in Saturday’s Black Caviar Lightning at Flemington. However, the outcome of that race will shape the rest of his season. Trainer Ciaron Maher is eager to secure a maiden Group 1 victory for the son of Zoustar. The three-year-old narrowly...

Feb 11th

Mount Barker Cup continues good times for Madi Derrick

Jockey Madi Derrick continued her impressive run of form, securing a double for trainer Ray Malpass, including a standout victory in the Mount Barker Cup (2000m) on Sunday. Seven-year-old gelding Big Swoop proved too strong for his competitors, rounding off a successful day for Malpass, who also saw Sirota claim a...

Feb 11th

Strideaway set for Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic goal

Trainer Neville Parnham says Strideaway has improved since her perfect return and is spot on to end his Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic (1200m) hoodoo at Pinjarra on Saturday. A daughter of Alabama Express, Strideaway created a big impression first up and stamped her Magic Millions credentials with authority, gunning down Do...

Feb 11th