Champions Stakes or The Five Diamonds for UK galloper Docklands
UK galloper Docklands is set to have his second Australian start, most likely to be in a Group 1 race at Flemington.
The Harry Eustace-trained galloper is an acceptor for the Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday while he is also one of 20 horses that were paid up for at acceptance time in the Five Diamond (1800m) at Rosehill.
Declan Bates has been booked to ride Docklands at Flemington while no rider has been engaged for the mount in Sydney.
Docklands came out to Australia to contest the Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley, finishing fifth to Via Sistina, beaten 11 lengths after tiring in the final stages of the race.
It was the entire’s first outing since running in the Juddmonte International at York in August.
Eustace said the 1800m of the Five Diamonds possibly looks a more suitable trip for Docklands, however he would like to see the horse run again over 2000m before a break.
“On paper he should go to the Five Diamonds, but that is a full field and with the hustle and bustle he will need some racing luck,” Eustace said.
“On the other hand, he’ll have to take on Via Sistina in the Champions Stakes.
“I’m very keen to go another run at a mile-and-quarter with a run under the belt, because we will learn plenty for next season.”
Eustace said when planning the trip to Melbourne, the idea was to bank two runs before making the return trip to Europe.
He also felt after the Cox Plate, the bigger Flemington circuit will be more to his liking.
The Cox Plate for many runners, you’d assume, was their big day,” Eustace said.
“Through quarantine restrictions and all the rest of it, we hadn’t had a run for a while.
“At the top of the straight he put himself in a position to run a really good third and I thought he just emptied out a little bit late.
It was a very good run in an incredibly deep Cox Plate, and he still finished in the first five and as everybody knows they broke the track record.
“It was a privilege to be a part of it and hopefully we can turn the tables.”
More Racing News
Voyager sets sail for The Five Diamonds consolation
Melbourne Cup dreams for Relentless Voyager were quashed when he failed Racing Victoria’s strict veterinary tests, but connections still harbour aspirations to plunder riches north of the border. While the gelding didn’t pass muster with RV when examined prior to leaving Europe, he was cleared by Racing NSW vets to compete in...
International races could be on the agenda for Melbourne Cup winner Knight’s Choice
Dual Melbourne Cup winning trainer Sheila Laxon believes Knight’s Choice is capable of being a performer on the world stage. Knight’s Choice won the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on Tuesday to give Laxon her second Cup success and her partner John Symons his first. It was also a first Cup success...
VRC Crown Oaks 2024 pedigree profiles
Those looking for reasons to doubt Treasurethe Moment in Thursday’s Group 1 VRC Crown Oaks might point to her sire as a factor behind their reasoning that she will struggle to run a strong 2500 metres. The Matt Laurie-trained filly is by Alabama Express, a son of Redoute’s Choice who finished...
Distance rise to favour Franz Josef in Ladies Day Cup
A rousing trackwork gallop has Gerald Ryan optimistic Franz Josef can improve on his first-up effort and play a role in the Listed Ladies Day Cup at Hawkesbury. The son of Snitzel found his rivals too sharp when finishing down the track behind Ostraka in the Silver Eagle (1300m) last month, but Ryan expected...
Draw key as Miss Hellfire pursues Hot Danish Stakes
Connections of Miss Hellfire are banking on an inside barrier draw to help her turn the tables on last start conqueror Olentia when the pair clash again in the Hot Danish Stakes at Rosehill. Having her first start for Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald, Miss Hellfire got back to last from a wide...
Turner and Miller Bid For Feature Race Double
Horcrux’s last start fourth in the Listed Belgravia Stakes (1200m) left jockey Jordan Turner suitably impressed and he believes it’s a strong selling point for the Simon Miller-trained galloper going into Saturday’s Listed Seacorp Fairetha Stakes (1400m). Jordan Turner was taken by Horcrux’s valiant effort in the Belgravia Stakes when he worked...
Champions Mile: Bates all class after Pride Of Jenni sacking
Pride Of Jenni has accepted to defend her Champions Mile crown at Flemington this Saturday and if she runs she will do so under a new rider. Ben Melham has been engaged to partner the Ciaron Maher-trained mare, with Declan Bates replaced aboard the seven-year-old. Bates won last year’s Champions Stakes and Empire Rose Stakes...
Too Darn Discreet ready to go in VRC Oaks
Ballarat trainer says he would not change anything as Too Darn Discreet looks to extend her winning sequence at Flemington. The Group 1 Crown Oaks (2500m) on Thursday will be the daughter of Too Darn Hot’s fourth win on end if successful. Too Darn Discreet started the ball rolling with a maiden...
Former Jockey Relishes training triumph in Burgess Queen Stakes
Ryan Hill took a punt and he was handsomely rewarded when London’s Image won the Listed Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) at Ascot on Wednesday. In a nail-biting finish, London’s Image led from barrier to post and withstood the surging finishes of runner-up Ron’s Finalflutter and third placegetter, Flower Of Gold. London’s Image’s shock...
Dolan scores 2024 Melbourne Cup blowout on Knight’s Choice
A once part-time jockey who flirted with a career as a musician added his name to the Melbourne Cup honour roll when he engineered one of the great upsets in the history of the great race. Ireland’s Robbie Dolan partnered betting sites $91 chance Knight’s Choice to a thrilling win in...
