3 minute read

McDonald eyeing Group 1 with gelding

Having finished a close third behind Addeybb (Pivotal) and Verry Elleegant (Zed) in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) at Randwick last Saturday, co-trainer Leon Macdonald is now eyeing some big spring targets with Dalasan (Dalakhani). 

Prior to his third place finish in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Dalasan occupied that same position in the Doncaster Mile (Gr 1, 1600m) and Macdonald is now hopeful the gelding can add an elusive Group 1 to his CV next preparation. 

"I don't think there's any doubt it's his best run," said Macdonald.

"He just gave his all."

"The horse looked terrific and he'd done well since he'd been in Sydney," Macdonald said.

"I couldn't have been happier with his condition and he ran accordingly.

"The Doncaster was always his target – that's what we set him for. He ran very well in the Doncaster, so he went on to the Queen Elizabeth.

"In the Queen Elizabeth you've got to remember the winner has won 12 races and run six placings out of 22 runs, and the second horse has won seven Group 1s.

"So, it wasn't a bad field, was it? They were all Group 1 winners except him."

That final missing item on Dalasan's CV could play in the horse's favour come spring time, when a number of Group 1 handicaps remain on the table.

"We want to win a Group 1 race with him," Macdonald said.

"Obviously the Cox Plate would appeal, but who knows. There's a fair few Group 1 races in the spring and it depends what the handicapper does with him.

"He was a 105 rater before the Doncaster, he ran third and they left him at 105.

"If they leave him around that rating… it sort of makes a big difference.

"You've got the Epsom Handicap, the Cantala Stakes, the Group 1 Toorak Handicap.

"There's a lot of good (handicap) races that suit him, then you've got the good WFA races."