Melbourne Cup winner Gold Trip to be set for Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes during The Championships
A smart gallop at The Valley was another step on Gold Trip’s road to Sydney for a rich target during The Championships.
The 2022 Melbourne Cup winner Gold Trip hit the track at The Valley on Tuesday but his autumn preparation is likely to culminate in Sydney in April.
Trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace entered Gold Trip for a race at The Valley on Saturday but the dual Group 1 winner won’t resume for a few weeks.
The Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes during The Championships will be Gold Trip’s autumn goal.
Maher said Gold Trip would trial at Caulfield on Monday but the stallion had pleased the stable with his condition.
“We’ve kept him fairly busy,” Maher said.
“He doesn’t have too long off. We’re pretty happy with him actually.
“He’s pretty free in his action and his weight’s good.”
Gold Trip and Ashrun had a look at @TheValley this morning 😎🆠@cmaherracing | @jamieleekah07pic.twitter.com/z1aNZOIuCO
— Racing Victoria (@RacingVictoria) January 22, 2024
Regular rider Mark Zahra rode Gold Trip in a gallop alongside Ashrun, who completed a remarkable comeback from a long-term injury to finish fourth in the Melbourne Cup.
Maher said Gold Trip, a seven-year-old stallion, showed plenty of zest in the hitout.
“Mark’s got a good affiliation with him and I asked him and Jamie (Kah on Ashrun) just to give them a feel-good gallop to the line,” Maher said.
“He (Zahra) said he felt his endeavour was really good and he really wanted to be there and let down.
“He’s coming up pretty well.”
Maher said the Sydney Cup would be the perfect autumn assignment for Ashrun.
“It was a super run in the Melbourne Cup and a little bit of give probably helps him as well,” Maher said.
“It’s a little hard to predict the weather this year but he’s similar (to Gold Trip).
“His action looked pretty good as well.”
Future is looking bright for Wadick
Apprentice Zac Wadick thought he might be a chance to land a lightweight Group 1 ride during the spring carnival but never expected to pick up one of the favourites for The Metropolitan.
Sargent buoyed by Sea’s Group 1 potential
With one eye on Group 1 goals later this spring, trainer John Sargent is expecting China Sea to lay down a marker in Saturday’s Listed $200,000 Dulcify Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick.