A few promising stayers put their hand up and showed they were capable of rewarding their backers in the next few weeks with their efforts at Flemington on Saturday.
KILIMANJARO
Kilimanjaro has had three runs in Australia and been in the market on every occasion but he has steadily worked to full fitness in those outings. He was stuck in a slowly-run race two starts back before stepping up to 2530m on Saturday and doing a good job behind Master Zephyr. Kilimanjaro raced up on the speed before fighting on well to go down by a long head when giving the winner 3.5kg. With the three runs under his belt and a bit more work at the Macedon Lodge property, Kilimanjaro can show something when he steps out, possibly in the Listed JRA Trophy (2500m) at Flemington on September 16, which he'd probably need to win to have any chance of making the Melbourne Cup field.
Career record (9:2-1-1).
Race to look for – Open races over the 2500m course at Flemington.
TALLY
He resumed over the unsuitable 1400m course but Tally did a good job to run second to Sovereign Nation under 61.5kg at Flemington. Tally lacked the dash of the fitter winner but he stuck to his task fairly well late and will only improve significantly for that outing. He is qualified for the Caulfield Cup because of his Mornington Cup win but he's probably not quite good enough to win a Caulfield Cup, however, he can pick up a second-tier race or two during the spring when he gets out over 2000m and further.
Career record (21:6-4-4).
Race to look for – Open or Group races over 2000m-plus.
ALWARD
Chris Waller prepared a treble at Flemington on Saturday and this import showed his promise for the stable with his dominant win. Waller gave Alward two runs over 1400 and 1800m before the five-year-old hit another gear when he stepped up to 2000m, strolling to a three-length win with jockey Michael Walker aboard. Alward carried 54.5kg to victory in Saturday's race, which leaves him room in the weights to compete again at Benchmark 78 level as he went to a rating of 73 for his strong win but the former French-trained galloper can work through a couple more grades in the next few weeks.
Career record (10:2-1-1).
Race to look for – Races between BM78 & BM90 over 2000m-plus.
- Alward is in the white colours behind the leaders when the field straightens then moves to the outside.
Michael Walker produces a gem to drive Alward home as @cwallerracing lands a treble! pic.twitter.com/oSw29QKohv
— Racing.com (@Racing) August 12, 2017
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