Booker does it the hard way in Thousand Guineas Prelude

Darryl Sherer - Sunday October 1

Booker upset favourite backers with a determined victory in Sunday's Group II Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield.

Advertisement
Booker winning the Thousand Guineas Prelude. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Punters backed last season's Blue Diamond Stakes winner Catchy into odds-on but were left lamenting after a positive ride from Dwayne Dunn aboard Booker.

Settled in second place on the quarters of Mahlani to the home turn, Dunn kicked Booker ($6.50) into a clear lead early in the home straight and while getting tired close home had enough in hand to hold the late finishes from Shoals ($5.50) to score by a neck with Catchy ($1.95 fav) a short head away third.

Mathew Ellerton, who trains the winner in partnership with Simon Zahra, said he thought Booker had earned the win the hard way.

"She did a bit of work early but we were always intending to be positive," Ellerton said.

"She was getting a bit tired towards the finish but she did well to hold on.

"She's a filly that doesn't get put under pressure at home and I think she's still learning how to let down."

Booker had placed both her starts this preparation at Group level and Ellerton said the daughter of Written Tycoon will now head to the Group I Thousand Guineas in two weeks time.

"That's where we will go, she probably didn't want it too much further today but she did do all the work early," Ellerton said.

"I'd say she's still got some improvement in her both fitness wise and race smarts."

Dunn echoed those sentiments.

"She's a lovely filly and hopefully she can win the Thousand Guineas," Dunn said.

"She had to do it hard early and then found for me early so she should have some improvement there."

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Sunday August 3
Here is the full list of 57 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Zed 9YO Wins G3 Winter Cup
Saturday’s $110,000 Group Three Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton continued an incredible ride for the connections of Chase (NZ) (Zed), who bought him for only $9,000 from Book 3 of Karaka 2018. Originally a $6,000 purchase by JD Corcoran when offered as a weanling from Valachi Downs in the 2017 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale.
MM Yearling Sales 2026 Open for Entry
The 2026 Magic Millions Yearling Sales - from the Gold Coast in January to Perth and Tasmania in February and the Gold Coast and Adelaide in March - are ready to deliver more groundbreaking results.
G1 Guineas Goal for Unbeaten Snitzel Filly
A quartet of well-performed fillies from Stephen Marsh’s stable took their first steps toward upcoming age group features when they stepped out at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Too Darn Hot Mare Claims Third G1
Too Darn Hot (GB) will be a returning superstar to Darley NSW this spring and there is no doubt he can get an exceptional horse with Fallen Angel capturing her third Group I in France on Sunday when taking out the G1 Prix Rothschild (1m) at Deauville.
G1 Plans for Wexford Stable Mares
Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott have their sights set on the opening Group One of the season with a pair of talented mares, both of which appeared at the Taupo trials on Monday.
One to Watch – Ballarat
Last seen contesting the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes, newly gelded three year-old Olatunde bolted in at Ballarat on Monday continuing the fast start to the new season for his sire Farnan.
Te Akau Stars Warm Up at Taupo Trials
Perennial bridesmaid Qali Al Farrasha headlined a strong contingent of trialists out of Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson’s stable at Taupo on Monday.
Trans Tasman Options for La Crique
Trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander are contemplating options on both sides of the Tasman with their multiple Group One winner La Crique following her pleasing trial at Taupo on Monday.
Highland Blaze Wins $250,000 Grand National Hurdle
Jumps racing was the highlight at Sandown Lakeside on Sunday with the $250,000 Grand National Hurdle (4200m) the highlight and the $100,000 Crisp Steeplechase (4200m) offering a great start to the day.