As the race for the second season sires title intensifies, we turn our attention to glorious Flemington where we find a host of interesting runners to keep an eye on this weekend that will bare considerable weight in the current premiership.
The $2million Group I VRC Coolmore Stakes is shaping up to be an absolute beauty, potentially the race of the carnival in terms of importance with a myriad of horses on the upward trajectory.
The key runners from second season sires include a two pronged attack for Harry Angel (IRE) in smart filly Stretan Angel and last start winner Arkansaw Kid. Grunt’s Caulfield Guineas runner up in McEvoy trained Veight who sports blinkers for the first time and has the luxury of being piloted by Jamie Kah, big watch on it and Scheelite who rounds out the field for the Keys combo and will be flying the flag for Japanese import Real Steel (Jpn).
We turn our attention to the $2million Group I VRC Victoria Derby where Justify (USA) has a particularly strong hand with Verdad and Air Assault; The Autumn Sun with Kosgei and Saxon Warrior (Jpn) looking to announce himself on the big stage with Warialda Warrior.
Trapeze Artist is sitting pretty atop the leaderboard after a hot run, he is however taking a breather this weekend in terms of runners thus opening the door for top spot.
Adding further intrigue to the days proceedings is the fact both Verdad and Scheelite are out of mares by Magnus, a much missed Victorian favourite looking to add to his already outstanding strike rate of SW to runners as a broodmare sire.
With a bumper crowd expected and perfectly mild conditions, it’s absolutely all to play for on the biggest of stages, the type of day that has the purists licking their lips, derby day is upon us....at last!
