Mark Kavanagh looks like being able to ditch 'backup plans' for December Draw because the Caulfield Cup fav is now all but guaranteed a run in Sunday's $500,000 Grp 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. The 2000m set weights and penalties racehas always been Kav's preferred final CC lead-up but with numerous other trainers eyeing off the race there were fears he could miss out on a start. As a precaution, Kav nominated the 6YO for Friday night's Grp 3 JRA Cup (2040m) and the Listed Bart Cummings (250
Mark Kavanagh looks like being able to ditch 'backup plans' for December Draw because the Caulfield Cup fav is now all but guaranteed a run in Sunday's $500,000 Grp 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. The 2000m set weights and penalties racehas always been Kav's preferred final CC lead-up but with numerous other trainers eyeing off the race there were fears he could miss out on a start. As a precaution, Kav nominated the 6YO for Friday night's Grp 3 JRA Cup (2040m) and the Listed Bart Cummings (2500m), also at Flemington on Sunday, in case he was balloted from the Turnbull. Although a firm $3.80 fav for the CC on October 15, the classy import is still down in the ratings. He's at the foot of the Turnbull Stakes Order of Entry but needs just one other entry not to accept to gain a start. The Peter Moody-trained King's Rose could pave the way for him - she's touted a likely runner in Sat's Grp 1 Epsom Handicap in Sydney. Several others, like December Draw, are also entered for the JRA Cup at Moonee Valley.
Corey Brown was reunited with his new Caulfield Guineas mount Smart Missile at Caulfield on Tuesday. CB made a special trip to Melbourne to ride the Anthony Cummings-trained colt in a jumpout, just a couple of days after being confirmed as his new rider for the $1 million Guineas (1600m) on 8 October.