Toga Picta ready for Stutt Stakes test

Darryl Sherer - Monday September 25

Toga Picta had his first look at Moonee Valley on Monday ahead of him racing in Friday night's Group II Stutt Stakes (1600m) and passed his first test comfortably.

Advertisement
Toga Picta (outside) galloping with Etymology on Monday. Photo: Darryl Sherer

The James Cummings-trained three-year-old was paired with the older Etymology over 1200m, speeding up to run the last 400m in 24.05 seconds and please Godolphin's Melbourne assistant trainer David Charles.

"I was very happy with his work this morning," Charles said.

"His form is solid for a race like the Stutt Stakes and his performance on Friday will give us a good indication of where we head with him."

Toga Picta only weakened late on when finishing 12th behind Royal Symphony last time out in the Exford Plate at Flemington over 1400m and featured in the stewards report having to be eased to avoid interference in the home straight

The son of Group I winners Lonhro and Purple will be fitted with winkers for the first time on Friday to sharpen his focus and Charles is anticipating an improved performance.

"Colts like him have to perform at this level if they are going to progress on to better races," Charles said.

"We'd be hoping he can how he's good enough for a race like the Caulfield Guineas but we'll find out Friday - he should run super I think."

Advertisment
More Reading...
Records Tumble at Huge Australian Weanling Sale
The most successful Inglis Australian Weanling Sale in history concluded at Riverside today with a record individual top price of $775,000 paid for a colt by Too Darn Hot (GB), a record gross and record average.
Castelvecchio Filly Records Promising Victory
Having placed in her first two starts, the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman trained Street Lark (Castelvecchio) appeared to appreciate the step up to the 1500m of Wednesday’s Sportsbet Get On Extra Plate at Caulfield to break her maiden with a promising performance..
Japanese Bred Filly Wins At Eagle Farm
Could trainer Kris Lees have the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) on his mind after his three-year-old, northern hemisphere bred filly Eclair Encore (Jpn) recorded a strong victory over 1800m at Eagle Farm.
Queensland Calling for Exciting Wootton Bassett Colt
Champion trainer Chris Waller is renowned for producing talented back season juveniles that blossom into stakes performers and we saw one at Warwick Farm on Wednesday when heavily backed Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Regulated Affair opened his account.
French Derby Contender for Godolphin
The Godolphin winning run continued in France overnight with a French Derby contender emerging in the shape of progressive Lope de Vega colt Cualificar, who is out of Fastnet Rock’s Group I Epsom Oaks winner Qualify.
Rising Stars - Metro 2YO Double for Wootton Bassett
Coolmore shuttler Wootton Bassett (GB) unleashed not one but two exciting juveniles at Warwick Farm on Wednesday with the opening race going to the colt Regulated Affair and shortly after it was the turn of the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained filly Agarwood.
So You Think Filly Shows Oaks Potential
The Bjorn Baker stable has been on fire this year and it’s full steam ahead to Queensland for talented So You Think filly Dame Commander, who beat older rivals at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday May 7
Here is the full list of 44 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Million Dollar Goal for I Am Invincible Filly
Tony and Calvin McEvoy landed a lucrative victory in the $1million Magic Millions National 2YO Classic in May last year with Arabian Summer and are hopeful they have another filly that can do the job this year in Sisstainable.
First Win for Sword of State Half-Sister
Well-related filly Paravane broke through for her maiden win in pleasing fashion at Ellerslie on Wednesday when taking out the Join TAB Racing Club 1200 in the hands of senior hoop Vinnie Colgan.