LRC hounds set for two-pronged attack on Group 1 Features
Star chaser, Zipping Remus, was the headline act at Wentworth Park on Saturday night! He began cleanly from box eight, showed excellent early pace and quickly assumed control of the race entering the first corner. He continued to build from that point onwards and extended away from his rivals through the middle part of the race. Rattling off some serious sectionals throughout, he pulled away over the concluding stages for an emphatic victory, recording a time of 29.49 seconds. He has now qualified for this Saturday’s final of the Group 1 Ladbrokes Vic Peters and has been installed as race favourite from the inside alley. Good luck Remus!
“From day one, when we got him to train, he has always shown a high level of ability” – Minnie Finn.
Zipping Remus may’ve been the star of the show but his kennelmate, Zipping Rousey, certainly didn’t disappoint. She contested a strong heat of the Group 1 Ladbrokes Peter Mosman and ran gallantly to finish in second position, after drawing off the track in box eight. It was her first run after a let-up, so we expect her to strip fitter for this Saturday’s final, where she has drawn in box four. She will need even luck from the awkward draw, but her best is certainly good enough to contend the business end, so we expect another bold showing!
Kanazawa set for LRC debut
Ex-Godolphin galloper, Kanazawa, is nearing his debut for the Ladbrokes Racing Club. He has been under the care of Queensland juggernaut, Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted, for the last few months, and is nearing on a return to the racetrack. He performed exceptionally well in a recent jumpout at Deagon and has subsequently pleased the stable in his work at home.
There are several options for him in the coming weeks, so the team will continue to assess him, as well as entries for likely races, to determine the most suitable kick-off point. He has been entered at Doomben this Saturday, July 8, but there is also a suitable option for him at Eagle Farm next Saturday, July 15. If he was to draw poorly in those races, there is also an option to give him a second trial, with a view to running him later in the month.
GBR disappoints, Queensland beckons
Great Barrier Reef finished seventh on Saturday, after a receiving an economical run throughout. He presented with some purpose at the top of the straight, but he failed to let down at the business end of the event, which eventuated in him finishing just over 3.5L behind the eventual winner.
Keeping in mind he was back in trip and had blinkers applied for the first time, he was quite disappointing over the concluding stages, and we expected him to finish off better than what he did. He is lacking some confidence at the moment, so Chris Waller has indicated that he may be better suited in Queensland for his next run, where the races are slightly easier.
He pulled up well from his run, with no issues to report, and has subsequently travelled to Waller’s Gold Coast base. There are several options for him in the weeks ahead so the team will assess him over the coming days and then plot a path to the most suitable upcoming race.
Romantic Warrior set to contest Ladbrokes Cox Plate
Superstar Hong Kong galloper, Romantic Warrior, is set to travel to Melbourne this Spring to contest Australia’s Best Race, the 2023 Ladbrokes Cox Plate. Romantic Warrior’s dominance as a multiple Group One winner, saw his international rating escalate after heralding back-to-back Queen Elizabeth II Cup successes, along with a 2022 Hong Kong Cup victory.
General Manager – International and Racing Operations at Racing Victoria, Paul Bloodworth, said the arrival of Romantic Warrior would be a coup for the Victorian Spring Racing Carnival. “Romantic Warrior would be one of the highest rated international horses ever to race in Australia and he will add an exciting dimension to the 2023 Ladbrokes Cox Plate at The Valley”.
This year’s $5M Ladbrokes Cox Plate will take place on Saturday, 28th October. We look forward to seeing Australia’s best weight-for-age stars return to the racetrack soon in their bid for Cox Plate glory. Who will etch their names into the history books?