11 horses to watch during the 2018 spring racing carnival (other than Winx)
CHAMPION mare Winx is set to steal the racing headlines but she won’t be the only star on the track this spring. CHRIS VERNUCCIO pinpoints which horses to get excited about over the coming months.
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CHAMPION mare Winx is set to steal the racing headlines as she chases an unprecedented fourth Cox Plate.
But she won’t be the only star on the track this spring.
There are plenty of horses to get excited about and CHRIS VERNUCCIO pinpoints the ones to follow over the coming months.
TRAPEZE ARTIST
4YO horse
14 starts: 6-0-2. Prizemoney: $3,102,850
Trainer: Gerald Ryan
Key target: The Everest
Gerald Ryan’s stable star has developed into one of the nation’s best sprinters. After a brilliant win in the TJ Smith Stakes in April, beating the likes of Redzel, In Her Time and Brave Smash, which was followed by another Group 1 weight-for-age triumph in the All Aged Stakes, his owners resisted the temptation to retire him to stud for a crack at The Everest.
KEMENTARI
4YO horse
12 starts: 4-3-2. Prizemoney: $1,508,850
Trainer: James Cummings
Possible targets: The Everest, Cox Plate
Godolphin’s striking four-year-old was a revelation during the autumn, scoring a hat-trick of win including the Randwick Guineas before a luckless run in the Doncaster. He made an exceptional return last week when second to Pierata in the Missile Stakes. His next start could be in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on September 1. Still in the frame for an Everest slot but his best performances have been over 1400m and 1600m.
VEGA MAGIC
6YO gelding
22 starts: 13-3-1. Prizemoney: $3,604,800
Trainer: David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig
Key target: The Everest
Rediscovered his best form with an explosive victory in the Bletchingly Stakes. Chasing back-to-back wins in the Memsie Stakes next month, where a potentially fascinating clash with Kementari awaits, before he aims to go one better in The Everest.
PIERATA
4YO horse
11 starts: 5-3-1. Prizemoney: $2,362,650
Trainer: Greg Hickman
Possible targets: Epsom Handicap, The Everest
The Magic Millions Guineas winner staked his claim for an Everest start after holding off Kementari in a thrilling Missile Stakes last week. It will be interesting to see what trainer Greg Hickman’s plans are but the Epsom Handicap looks a more suitable option than the Everest.
GRUNT
4YO horse
5 starts: 4-0-1. Prizemoney: $737,250
Trainer: Mick Price
Key target: Cox Plate
Won the Australian Guineas and is building an imposing record with four wins from five career starts. Trainer Mick Price is preparing the four-year-old for a tilt at the Cox Plate against Winx. Set to kick off his spring campaign in the PB Lawrence Stakes this Saturday then likely head towards the Makybe Diva Stakes and Turnbull Stakes.
HAPPY CLAPPER
8YO gelding
35 starts: 11-9-4. Prizemoney: $6,340,050
Trainer: Pat Webster
Possible targets: The Everest, Cox Plate, Mackinnon Stakes
Now an eight-year-old but the popular gelding produced career-best form in the autumn to win two Group 1s, including the Doncaster, and place twice behind Winx. He’ll likely resume in the Memsie Stakes then head to the Makybe Diva Stakes two weeks later, but his plans beyond that are unclear. Trainer Pat Webster is eager to secure an Everest slot. Alternative option is the Mackinnon Stakes, where he finished second last spring.
INVINCIBLE STAR
4YO mare
5 starts: 2-1-0. Prizemoney: $375,250
Trainer: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott
Key target: Moir Stakes
The dual Group 3-winning mare hasn’t raced since Derby Day last October where she was beaten in the final strides by Merchant Navy in the Coolmore Stud Stakes. She’s an exciting prospect after winning a trial in very fast time and the Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley on Grand Final eve looks the perfect race. Set to take on Everest winner Redzel in the Concorde Stakes at Randwick on September 1.
BRUTAL
3YO colt
1 start: 1-0-0. Prizemoney: $55,000
Trainer: Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes
Possible target: Caulfield Guineas
Emerged as a serious Caulfield Guineas contender after an extraordinary five-length win on debut in July. Will return in the McKenzie Stakes at Moonee Valley on August 25 where after Team Hawkes will lock in his main spring goal.
KINGS WILL DREAM
5YO gelding
8 starts: 6-0-2. Prizemoney: $330,668
Trainer: Darren Weir
Key targets: Caulfield Cup, Melbourne Cup
The English import rocketed into Caulfield Cup favouritism after his runaway win in the Mornington Cup back in March, and is unbeaten in five Australian starts for Darren Weir. The lightly-raced stayer should go to another level this spring.
ACE HIGH
4YO horse
17 starts: 4-2-0. Prizemoney: $1,853,075
Trainer: David Payne
Key targets: Caulfield Cup, Melbourne Cup
Emerging 4YO staying star. His outstanding win in last year’s Victoria Derby prompted trainer David Payne to start thinking about the Melbourne Cup. Beaten in the Australian Derby by a nose. Most recent trial was superb. Look for him when he hits 2000m and further.
MULTAJA
3YO filly
2 starts: 2-0-0. Prizemoney: $107,500
Trainer: James Cummings
Possible target: Coolmore Stud Stakes
Stamped herself as a spring prospect with a blistering win at Moonee Valley last Saturday. Her next start could be the Group 3 Quezette Stakes at Caulfield this Saturday. Many judges rate her as a potential Group 1 winner.
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