An exciting list of nominations has been assembled for the first metropolitan three-year-old races of the 2013/14 season at Moonee Valley on Saturday headed by unbeaten Kiwi galloper Cauthen.
An 8.5 length winner on debut at Te Rapa in New Zealand, trainer Andrew Campbell is aiming the son of Darci Brahma at the $1 million BECK Caulfield Guineas (1600m) in October and has nominated the colt to resume in the $80,000 1000m Super VOBIS three-year-old handicap.
Though he had planned to kick off Cauthen’s Spring Racing Carnival preparation in the $125,000 Listed Vain Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on August 17, Campbell said he may start the rising three-year-old at Moonee Valley in a bid to ensure the colt has enough prize money to gain a start in the Vain Stakes.
Should Cauthen hope to maintain his unbeaten record on Saturday he could have to defeat the likes of Rick Hore-Lacy’s fellow Caulfield Guineas aspirant Clevadude, the Peter Moody-trained Weinholt, as well as Shea Eden’s debut Seymour victor Red Samurai.
The entries are no less exciting in the $80,000 1000m three-year-old fillies Super VOBIS handicap, where 11 nominations are headed by the David Hayes-trained Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) fourth-placegetter Gregers.
An impressive winner at Moonee Valley on debut over 1000 metres in Febraury, the daughter of Commands is joined on the list of nominations by Chairman’s Stakes victor Metastasio, inaugural Ballarat Clockwise Classic champion I’m Too Sexy, Blue Diamond Preview runner-up Diamond Glow and Moonee Valley 1000 metre winner Zellindi.
Another highlight on the eight-race Moonee Valley card promises to be the $100,000 1600 metre open handicap, which has attracted a strong list of 25 nominations headed by last-start Winter Championship Final (1600m) victor Magnifique Soleil.
Other key entries in what is one of two $100,000 features on the program include the David Hayes-trained Spacecraft, dual Winter Championship Final winner Glaneuse, consistent gelding Another Prelate and last-start winner Clanga’s Glory.
The second $100,000 feature, an open 2040m handicap, features 22 entries headed by 2012 South Australia Derby (2500m) winner Zabeelionaire.
Scratched after acceptances four times in a row due to unsuitably wet tracks, should trainer Leon Corstens opt to run the son of Zabeel on Saturday he could have to face a quality field including Group 2 Sandown Classic (2400m) runner-up Exceptionally, Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) runner-up Rueben Percival and classy front-running Tasmanian stayer The Cleaner.
Nominations for both of the 1000 metre three-year-old handicaps, as well as the 1600 metre fillies and mares handicap have been extended until 10.00am Tuesday.
Click here to view the full list of nominations for Moonee Valley on Saturday.