2024 spring carnival trainer preview: Annabel Neasham discusses key targets for stable stars

Annabel Neasham plans to have Fawkner Park back racing in mid-September as he targets Melbourne spring features, while “everything is on the table” for new stable addition Amelia’s Jewel.

Trainer Annabel Neasham provides an update on her top horses and their potential targets for the spring carnival.

MORE SPRING PREVIEWS
• Joe Pride/Trent Busuttin/Les Bridge
• Bjorn Baker/Clayton Douglas/Ken Kelso
• Mick Price-Michael Kent Jr

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BOIS D’ARGENT

Annabel Neasham: “He did a super job in the winter and his performance in the Doomben Cup changed things looking to the future with him. The ownership group would love to have a go at the Cox Plate but he’s going to need to show he’s worthy of his place leading up to the race. He’s not back yet so we need to work out what races we look to target.”

Possible target races: Program is still to be set.

Grand Final: Cox Plate (October 26)

"A bit emotional on this one..."

The win of Bois D'argent in the Doomben Cup Cup today was very special for @blake_shinn ❤️@[e-mail]/gLfLgp55ok

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 25, 2024

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FAWKNER PARK

Neasham: “He’s due back into the Warwick Farm stable this week. He’s just had three weeks off, two weeks pre-training. I want to have him up and running mid-September so he’ll be back at the trials in the latter part of August all going to plan. He’ll have a Melbourne campaign kicking off in the Underwood.”

Possible target races: Underwood Stakes (September 21), Turnbull Stakes (October 5)

Grand Final: Caulfield Cup (October 19)

Fawkner Park wins the Q22 in style!@BrisRacingClub@[e-mail]/nlqAfU4Cr2

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 15, 2024

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NUMERIAN

Neasham: “He was going to be retired but he’s so well that they’ve had a rethink. He’s hard to place because he’s so highly rated but he can run anything once you get to 2000m so we won’t rule anything out.”

Possible target races: Anything at or around 2000m from September onwards.

It’s all Numerian in the G2 TAB A.D. Hollindale Stakes, as he races away to win first up for @ANeashamRacing and @jamieleemott!@SCTurfClubpic.twitter.com/O1Mn0ugkmo

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 11, 2024

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LADY LAGUNA

Neasham: “She looks awesome. She’s a little bit ahead of the others but that doesn’t mean you are going to see her earlier. You could see her in a Toy Show. I would love to think she’s a chance of getting an Everest slot if she comes back as good as she was in the autumn. She obviously went to a whole new level and kind of surprised us last time in. I actually think she could be better again. She’s come back bigger, she’s grown again. She could be anything. Whether they would be a bit sharp for her in The Everest? I don’t know but my instincts say she’d be deserving of a place in the field. We’ll be giving her the chance to put her hand up for the race. She’ll trial the last week of July, first week of August.”

Possible target races: Toy Show Quality (August 24) or Sheraco Stakes (September 14)

Grand Final: The Everest (October 19)

Lady Laguna wins the G1 Canterbury Stakes in an upset - and it’s a G1 salute from @G1TySchil!@[e-mail]/kQ3vaBfqr0

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 9, 2024

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MY OBERON

Neasham: “He got a bit of laminitis last prep and that’s why he missed the autumn. He’s probably kicking off in a Tramway and he’s the sort of horse that could run in anything he’s eligible for in his distance range. He’ll be in the noms for an Epsom. There’s no specific target for him yet but he’s a horse that loves wet ground so if it’s wet in Sydney or Melbourne, he’s the sort of horse that things could change depending on if and where the weather is. He’s a Group 1 horse on his day.”

Possible target races: Tramway Stakes (September 7)

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SUNSHINE IN PARIS

Neasham: “She’s heading to The Everest. There are various different ways to get there, last year she won the Sheraco. She’s coming up really good, looks great and will be ready to trial around the mid part of August.”

Possible target races: Sheraco Stakes (September 14), Premiere Stakes (October 5)

Grand Final: The Everest (October 19)

Sunshine In Paris takes out the G2 Sheraco Stakes in scintillating time! 🔥@ANeashamRacing@RMaloney_Jockeypic.twitter.com/oEHDsVsEeZ

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 9, 2023

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AMELIA’S JEWEL

Neasham: “She been doing three-quarter pace and is ready to start doing a bit more now. She’s getting ready to trial around the middle of August. I haven’t really locked in a plan for her yet, I’ll be guided by her early performances. If she was going really well, she could end up in a King Charles or if we decide to keep her against her own sex, a race like the Empire Rose would suit. I would imagine we’ll kick her off over 1200m around mid-September and work our way up.”

Possible target races: Everything is on the table.

"Too good! Too good!"

Amelia's Jewel gets the job done in the Let's Elope! 💎@[e-mail]/AGrumuZvgX

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) September 16, 2023

Originally published as 2024 spring carnival trainer preview: Annabel Neasham discusses key targets for stable stars