Dual Group 1 winner Luckygray heads a quality list of 20 nominations for Saturday’s first Group race of the 2013/14 season, the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) at Flemington. A controversial winner of the 2011 Railway Stakes (1600m) on protest, the former Gino Poletti-trained six-year-old, who is now in the care of Robert Smerdon, has since added the 2012 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) to his Group 1 tally.
Last seen finishing fourth behind champion mare Black Caviar in the Hacer Group William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley in March, the only time the son of Bradbury’s Luck has tasted defeat in four first up runs was when eighth as top weight in the $1 million Newmarket Handicap (1200m).
Should the striking grey wish to further improve on his fresh record at Flemington on Saturday he could have to defeat a field that includes 2011 Aurie’s Star champion Temple Of Boom, Australian Guineas winner Ferlax, in-form South Australian sprinter Riziz and the talented David Bourne-trained Zamorar.
A further highlight on Saturday’s eight-race Flemington program promises to be the $100,000 Lesley Viney and Colin McKnight Handicap (1400m) which features 31 nominations headed by Naturalism Stakes winner Folding Gear.
Other key entries in the race include Mornington Cup victor Tuscan Fire, consistent Tony Vasil-trained gelding Under The Eiffel, Danny O’Brien’s recent stable acquisition Lady’s Angel, last-start Bletchingly Stakes runner-up Academy Jack and import Wrotham Heath who could make his Australian debut for David Hayes.
The $80,000 Trevor Dray and Joyann Erskine Handicap 0-90 Handicap (1700m) also hasn’t disappointed to attract a quality list of 30 entries.
Among the more prominent include the David Hayes-trained imports Goldoni and Why Not, Under The Hat and Stereosonic for Malua Racing head trainer John Sadler, the potentially Cranbourne Cup bound Road Trippin’ and promising mare Winta Chiller.
Click here to view the full list of nominations for Flemington on Saturday