Morton camp in buoyant mood for Champion Fillies Stakes
“If Brad Parnham can have her close enough on Saturday, she’s going to be real hard to hold out.”
Trainer Dan Morton’s stable representative BJ Ryan conveyed an air of confidence on Tabradio when discussing the fortunes of Ron’s Finalflutter who will have an army of supporters ahead of the Group 3 WA Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m).
The Morton team are on a high following the win of Railway Stakes (1600m) equal favourite Super Smink in the Asian Beau Stakes (1400m) and are upbeat that Ron’s Finalflutter can continue the winning trend at Ascot on Saturday.
London’s Image scored an upset victory leading all the way to collect the winner’s cheque in the Listed Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m), but Ron’s Finalflutter lost no admirers in defeat when charging home at the rate of knots for second.
The Written Tycoon filly sat midfield with cover and gave London’s Image a big start when turning for home, but produced an outstanding performance under jockey, Brad Parnham, when she unleashed a blistering finish to go down by a gallant head margin.
Like most, the run didn’t go unnoticed by the Morton camp.
“I’m sure everyone saw how well she hit the line,” Ryan said.
“I’m looking forward to her being really strong at the end of 1600m.”
Ron’s Finalflutter has earned a cheque in every start and goes for her biggest payday in the Champion Fillies Stakes.
She’s recorded one win and three minor placings in four attempts, shedding her maiden tag when first-up at Bunbury in September.
Ryan said from early on Ron’s Finalflutter has shown encouraging signs.
“We liked her as a type early and she ran well at her first start in a race behind West Star,” Ryan said.
“She’s just got this real determination about her.
“When she balances up, she can really let rip the last 200m.
“It’s a tremendous attribute.”
Morton will have two bites at the Champion Fillies Stakes with Cashel Palace also set to take her place in the 12-horse line-up.
The Street Boss filly saluted for the first time at Ascot on Melbourne Cup Day over 1500m but will play second fiddle to her stablemate.
“Both fillies have been inseparable for the past 12-months,” Ryan said.
“They trialled against each other, raced against each other.
“I don’t think there is that much between them, but definitely give the edge to Ron’s Finalflutter.”
Lucy Warwick will partner Cashel Palace, who has drawn barrier two.
Ron’s Finalflutter exits from gate eight with Parnham keeping the mount.
Parnham and Morton are looking to rekindle fond Champion Fillies Stakes memories after combining with 2017 champion, Samovare.
Ryan also cautioned punters not to dismiss Saloon Bar as a genuine winning chance in the Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m).
More Racing News
Spring mile test to suit The Three Hundred
He might not be in the same esteemed company as Gai Waterhouse’s previous winners of the Spring Stakes, but if The Three Hundred can add his name to the honour roll, it could prove an important stepping stone. Waterhouse has won the race twice with dual Group 1 winner and 2005 Cox...
864 in 2025 Blue Diamond Stakes contention
While the spring carnival still has some time to run and with summer features still to come in Queensland, attention already creeps in for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes – Victoria’s premier event for two-year-olds – with 864 juveniles nominated among the first acceptances for the end of summer...
Casey confident Wind And The Lion can roar back to winner’s list in Placid Ark
Beaten but certainly not bowed. That’s the sentiment of co-trainer Sean Casey who insists he was unfazed by Wind And The Lion’s first up defeat in the Placid Ark Prelude (1000m) at Ascot two weeks ago. All eyes were focused on the exciting three-year-old who was sent out a warm favourite after making...
No second thoughts for interstate G1 Winterbottom Stakes raider
It’s a one race trip, but Cranbourne trainer Grahame Begg is prepared to roll the dice and anticipates last-start Melbourne winner, Maharba to turn in a peak performance in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot. A trip west across the Nullarbor to contest Perth’s premier sprint on November 30...
Australian Bloodstock confirms Vauban purchase
A third tilt at the Melbourne Cup is back on the agenda for Vauban after confirmation the gelding had been sold to Australian Bloodstock in partnership with Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. The Rich Ricci-owned star has failed to shine in the past two Melbourne Cups, finishing a disappointing 14th when sent off...
Irish jockey bunkers down in Sydney for latest stint
Irish jockey Dylan Browne Mcmonagle will be a regular fixture in Sydney over the spring and summer and he is hoping to hit the ground running with key rides in the feature races at Newcastle. Attached to the Joseph O’Brien yard, Browne McMonagle was Ireland’s champion apprentice in 2021 and has linked up...
Tycoon’s Super shot at another Guineas double
Will Larkin doesn’t take offence to talk about Supercilious being a question mark at 1600 metres, but he figures the best mile race to put her to the test in is one with a Group 1 carrot at the end of it. Hence, she will take her place in this Saturday’s $1.5...
Good signs for Pisces ahead of Blue Sapphire Stakes
Pisces has Coleman to contend with, but Godolphin’s Melbourne team is drawing a line through Bittercreek to back their prospects of upsetting the Golden Slipper runner-up in Saturday’s Blue Sapphire Stakes at Caulfield. The James Cummings-trained gelding was an unlucky second behind Bittercreek in the Group 3 Red Anchor Stakes (1200m) at his...
Schiller out to maintain perfect record on Briasa in The Hunter
Tyler Schiller is unbeaten in three rides on up-and-coming sprinter Briasa and he is optimistic of extending that sequence to four when he partners the heavily-backed favourite in the $1 million The Hunter at Newcastle. The Hawkes Racing four-year-old has been crunched from $5 into $2.80 for Saturday’s 1300m showpiece and arrives...
De Kock headed back to South Africa
The Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock training partnership is nearing its conclusion with the latter set to return home to South Africa. Stable clients were on Tuesday advised of the impending change in set-up to the successful Cranbourne stable with de Kock’s name to set to disappear from Australian formguides at...
