Moody set to rule out Cox Plate
Trainer Peter Moody does not believe dominant G1 Caulfield Cup winner Incentivise (Shamus Award) will back up in next Saturday's G1 Cox Plate.
Moody told Racenet that the 5-year-old had pulling up a 'little bit jaded' on Sunday.
“I would think highly unlikely … just my own gut feel, it is the first time I’ve arrived here on a Sunday morning and he’s been a little bit jaded,” Moody said.
“Left a little bit of tucker overnight, unlike me, listen he's in good order and bouncing and feeling well enough but I just thought he’s a bit more jaded than he has been previously.
“I would suggest he's probably only ever going to get one crack at the Melbourne Cup this horse and dependent on handicaps and the way he bounces back, that’s probably the race to aim at. If we run in another race at all this preparation.”
A decision on a weight penalty for the G1 Melbourne Cup will be made this week. Incentivise currently has 55.5kg for the $8 million race.
J-Mac a huge bonus for Zaaki
Trainer Annabel Neasham is hoping James McDonald can be the key to Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) rediscovering his best form in the G1 Cox Plate.
McDonald has got clearance to ride the 7-year-old at Moonee Valley, replacing Craig Williams, who took the mount when he suffered a shock defeat in the G1 Might And Power S.
“It was a big relief for me that we could get James McDonald down there because him and Zaaki have such a great affinity,” she told the ABC.
“In my mind, he’s the greatest jockey in Australia and he hasn’t won the race either so we’re both very hungry to do it.”
Neasham said while the bubble around Zaaki had burst with the defeat, the pressure valve had been released slightly.
“It certainly doesn’t do your confidence good, if I’m honest,” Neasham said of the Caulfield run.
“I suppose it’s taken a little bit of pressure off, I couldn’t believe TAB paid out, and I do think he’s been too short in the market all along because it’s almost like there’s been no respect for the other opponents.”
Eleven set to turn up for summer assignments
Eleven Eleven (Fastnet Rock) will trial on Tuesday at Randwick ahead of his Melbourne Cup Day return at Randwick on November 2.
The 5-year-old is plotting a path back to the $1 million Magic Millions Cup, a race he won earlier this year. Trainer Greg Hickman told Racenet he didn't know why the smart sprinter didn't come up in autumn campaign.
“I couldn’t single anything out other than he’s done all his best racing in the warmer months over the past couple of seasons,” Hickman said. “I think he just loves summer like most of us.”
Another winner for Capitalist
Capitalist has his 11th Australian winner of the 2021/22 season thanks to Capital Miss' win at the Sunshine Coast.
The Trent and Toby Edmonds-trained filly was having her second start when prevailing narrowly for jockey Jaden Lloyd.
Bred by Highgrove Stud, she is a $275,000 purchase from its draft at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Waller backs bounce back
Trainer Chris Waller hopes Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) can put her below-par G1 Turnbull S. performance behind her in the G1 Cox Plate.
"Good horses don't really fail, she did on that occasion, she's much better than that," Waller told RSN's Correct Weight.
"That's why I've gone looking for other issues, and whilst it's small percentages it does make a difference.
"Good horses don't really fail, she did on that occasion, she's much better than that." - Chris Waller
"There was nothing significant, her bloods were only fair but not bad, and they certainly weren't perfect.
"Soundness wise she is great and appetite wise she is better now, she wasn't eating as much as I would have liked after the race and now she is eating as much as she was going into the Caulfield Cup last year."
Duais ruled out of Melbourne Cup
G1 Queensland Oaks winner Duais (Shamus Award) will not contest next month's G1 Lexus Melbourne Cup following her unplaced effort in Saturday's G1 Caulfield Cup.
Trainer Edward Cummings advised Racing Victoria stewards on Sunday morning that the 4-year-old mare will not be competing in the Melbourne Cup.
Duais winning the G3 Neds Coongy Cup last Wednesday | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Duais, having her second race within four days finished 16th in the Caulfield Cup, having claimed the G3 Coongy Cup at Caulfield on Wednesday.
"We were much closer in the run than anticipated but was a bit disappointing in the end," jockey Michael Dee said of Duais following the Caulfield Cup.
Video stars on debut
Well-bred 3-year-old colt Video (I Am Invincible), the half-brother to G1 Thousand Guineas winner Odeum (Written Tycoon), debuted with a 2l win at Horsham.
Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Video was a $400,000 purchase for Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA) at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Harmony on song for Empire Rose
Mark Newnham has decided to send Harmony Rose (Glass Harmonium {Ire}) to the G1 Empire Rose S.
The 4-year-old mare, who was placed in both the G1 Randwick Guineas and G1 Vinery Stud S. last autumn, was last seen when third in the G3 Ladies' Day Vase at Caulfield.
Newnham confirmed to SENTrack that she would head to the Flemington feature.
Holding fire on Artorius
A decision on whether G1 Blue Diamond S. winner Artorius (Flying Artie) heads to the G1 Coolmore Stud S. will be made during the week.
SENTrack reported that Newgate Managing Director Henry Field said a decision had yet been made after Artorius finished third in the G1 Caulfield Guineas.
Field confirmed that Wild Ruler (Snitzel) is off to the paddock after she finished 12th on an unsuitably wet track in The Everest.
