Waterhouse Epsom Team; Flemington Trackwork; Forgotton Voice; Dandino; Less Is More; Lion Of Belfort; Epsom Facts
Photo by Racing and Sports
• Gai Waterhouse has settled on a team of three horses to carry her hopes of an eighth win Saturday's Epsom Handicap at Randwick.
She has confirmed that Ecuador will switch back to the mile and join Spurtoinic and Ashokan in the Epsom instead of stepping up in distance to Saturday's ATC Metropolitan (2400m) where she will be represented by Julienas.
Waterhouse decided on Monday to drop Our Desert Warrior from her Epsom team and is likely to direct him to Melbourne por the G1 Toorak Handicap at Caulfield on Saturday week. Tommy Berry, who landed last year's Epsom-Metropolitan double for Waterhouse on Fat Al and Glencadam Gold, is likely to ride Ecuador with Jason Collett in line for Spurtonic.
• Turnbull Stakes entries have been given permission to work on the course proper at Flemington on Tuesday.
Horses scheduled to take advantage of the main track include Gai Waterhouse's pair Fiorente and Glencadam Gold, Chris Waller's Foreteller, Let's Make Adeal (Nigel Blackiston) and Waldpark (Anthony Freedman).
• International Caulfield and Melbourne Cups entry Forgotten Voice has suffered a bout of travel sickness following his arrival in Melbourne last Saturday.
The Nicky Henderson-trained stayer has been treated by vets at the Werribee International Horse Centre with reports indicating his Melbourne campaign will not be affected if he makes an expected quick recovery. Forgotten Voice was a last start winner of the G3 Glorious Stakes at Goodwood in August.
• The news is much better from the Dandino camp at Werribee. The classy stayer, set to open his campaign in the Caulfield Cup, has settled in well according to a tweet from his owners and was quickly eating and drinking as normal after the long flight from Europe.
• Trainer David van Dyke has been left with the favourite Prince Cheri as his sole runner in Saturday's ATC Metropolitan after deciding to send his other import Less Is More for a spell following his tired fifth behind Julieanas in the Colin Stephen at Rosehill last Saturday.
• Lion Of Belfort, who put the cream on top of Samaready's brilliant Moir Stakes win for trainer Mick Price with his impressive Moonee Valley win last Friday night, will have his next start on October 12 at Caulfield. Price reported that the three-year-old has come through the Valley run well and will head to the Blue Sapphire Stakes over 1200m on Guineas day.
• Here are some key facts to consider when you sit down to assess Saturday's Epsom Handicap after the barrier draw on Wednesday:-
- The Epsom has been a picnic for four-year-olds with 14 of the last 19 runnings won by the age group. The average winning weight in the last 10 years is 53.5kg.
- Only three mares have won the Epsom since 1966 with 2011 winner Secret Admirer breaking 35 year drought for the sex.- Only one interstate-trained horse (Captain Sonador, 2010) has won the Epsom since 1993.
- Six of the last 10 winners ran in either the George Main Stakes or Shannon Stakes.