Battled scarred galloper Gold Salute has fuelled hopes he will contest Friday night's Group One Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley after competing in a barrier trial at Cranbourne.Gold Salute was passed fit to run in an 800-metre Cranbourne trial on Monday, two days after got his leg caught in the barriers and took no part in the Group One Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.He was later found to be lame behind but he sailed through Monday's trial without any issues.Ridden by Mark Pegus,
Battled scarred galloper Gold Salute has fuelled hopes he will contest Friday night's Group One Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley after competing in a barrier trial at Cranbourne.
Gold Salute was passed fit to run in an 800-metre Cranbourne trial on Monday, two days after got his leg caught in the barriers and took no part in the Group One Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
He was later found to be lame behind but he sailed through Monday's trial without any issues.
Ridden by Mark Pegus, he jumped cleanly from the gates and coasted behind the other six heat runners, including eventual winner Light Fantastic.
Riley has nominated Gold Salute for the Manikato Stakes (1200m) but will also enter him for Sunday's Zambari Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield.
"I'm not sure which race he will run in but there is every chance it will be the Manikato," Riley said.
"On Sunday he would probably have to carry 59.5kg in a non-claiming race and then there is the weather to consider as it may end up being a wet track."
Riley said Gold Salute was battered and bruised as a result of his barrier mishap on Saturday but it would have been much worse had a barrier attendant not held on to him when the gelding had his leg over the barrier stall as the gates opened.
"There is an abrasion on the inside of his leg and bit of swelling and bruising but he has pulled up pretty well from the trial and I'm happy enough the horse."
Riley wants to get another run into Gold Salute before the Group One Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on October 10.
Another late scratching from last Saturday's Caulfield meeting, Phelan Ready, is also among 16 entries for the Manikato.
Trainer Jason McLachlan was seething after the Golden Slipper Stakes winner was scratched as a result of Brad Rawiller having concerns about the horse's action and subsequent veterinary concerns.
A number of Manikato contenders were put through their paces at Moonee Valley on Monday morning including emerging Gai Waterhouse-trained star Swift Alliance, Peter Moody-trained stablemates Wanted and Sequential Charm, All-Aged Stakes winner Danleigh from the Chris Waller stable and the Bart Cummings-trained Winter Stakes winner Russeting.
Anthony Cummings is looking to back up Rupert Clarke Stakes winner Turffontein in the Manikato while stablemates Duporth and Solo Flyer worked strongly together at the Valley and are also among the weight-for-age sprint's entries.
Jockey Craig Newitt was thrilled with Wanted's gallop against Sequential Charm.
"They weren't expecting much from him (Wanted) in the gallop but I gave him a click up the straight and went straight past the other horse," Newitt said.
"It was a pleasant surprise and if he gets a run in the Manikato and he will run very well."
Damien Oliver gave Danleigh a look at the Valley on Monday but Kerrin McEvoy is the six-year-old's Manikato rider while Oliver will ride Greg Eurell's champion sprinter Apache Cat and Dan Nikolic will ride stablemate Mic Mac.
Lucky Secret is set to back up in the Manikato from his Starlight Stakes win in Sydney last Saturday and exciting four-year-old Nicconi returns to the Valley after his brilliant McEwen Stakes win on September 12.