Import nominated for Flemington with ultimate gear change

Darryl Sherer - Monday July 31

One of the leading fancies for last year's Melbourne Cup has been nominated for races at Flemington on Saturday with a significant gear change.

Advertisement
Bondi Beach galloping at Werribee last year. Photo: Darryl Sherer

At 106, the Robert Hickmott-trained Bondi Beach is the highest-rated horse among the 272 current nominations for the meeting and is now a gelding.

The son of Galileo is one of five Robert Hickmott-trained runners including Sydney Cup winner Gallante and Herbert Power Stakes winner Amralah nominated for the 2000m and 1600m races.

Bondi Beach was one of four horses in the colours of Lloyd Williams in last year's Melbourne Cup when trained by Aidan O'Brien, finishing 13th as an entire behind Almandin as a $13 chance with Gallante finishing 20th.

Amralah was favourite for the 2015 Melbourne Cup following his three length defeat of Excess Knowledge in the Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield however, was withdrawn on the eve of the race over fears a medication administered to the import which contained a prohibited substance had not cleared its system in time for the race.

A rising eight-year-old, Amralah has not raced since the win at Caulfield in October 2015, suffering a leg injury when being prepared for the 2016 autumn carnival.

Hickmott has also nominated Aloft and Our Century for the same 1600m and 2000m races on Saturday.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Saturday May 31
Here is the full list of 116 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 1
Here is the full list of 51 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Magic Justify x Fastnet Rock Cross Strikes in Hong Kong
With Justify’s very best son City of Troy (USA) shuttling to Coolmore Australia this spring it’s worth remembering the power of the Justify x Fastnet Rock nick and we saw it to the fore at Sha Tin on Saturday when Australian bred four year-old Pray for Mir took out the Group III The Lion Rock Trophy (1600m).
New Classic Prospect and New Aussie 2YO Winner for Wootton Bassett
The Group III JRA Derby Trial (2000m) at Baden Baden in Germany overnight produced a new stakes-winner for Wootton Bassett (GB) with lightly raced colt Juwelier staking a claim for classic success.
Research on Equliume Light Mask
Don’t take our word for granted ….. Research on the Equilume Light mask for the pregnant mare and foal
Cool Aza Beel Strikes Again
Proven Te Akau Racing filly Cool Aza Rene put her quality on display when prevailing in a competitive Nellies Restaurant and Bar 2YO (820m) at Wingatui on Sunday.
Aussie Bred Trifecta in G3 Sha Tin Vase
Toronado (IRE) gelding Helios Express led home a tricta for Aussie bred sprinters in the Group III Sha Tin Vase (1200m) on Saturday defeating Invincible Sage (Thronum) and Patch of Theta (Zoustar).
Familiar Faces Win $100,000 Jumps Features at Sandown
Jumps racing took centre stage at Sandown on Sunday with some familiar colours and faces winning both the $100,000 Australian Steeplechase (3900m) and the $100,000 Australian Hurdle (3900m).
The Secret is Out!
He has big shoes to fill as a half-brother to a $12million earner, but there is no secret about his ability! 
Lightly Raced Stayer Wins Sandown Cup
The $175,000 Listed MRC Sandown Cup (3200m) on Sunday featured some battle hardened  old stayers, but it was the young kind on the block that got the prize with four year-old Tavistock gelding Diwali scoring his first stakes win.