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Whispering Brook Makes A Noise At The Valley

3 minute read

Trainer Darren Weir was left to consider a range of options for former Perth mare Whispering Brook after she won her third successive race in the G2 Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday night.

Whispering Brook
Whispering Brook Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Weir said he doesn't have a definite program mapped out Whispering Brook but will consider a start in the G1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield next month.

He also said her long term goal may be the G1 Robert Sangster Stakes in Adelaide in May.

The Ballarat trainer had four runners in the Australia Stakes and confirmed that Land Of Plenty, Brave Smash and Fifty Stars will head to the Orr Stakes.

Jockey Mark Zahra recorded successive Australia Stakes victories, having won last year's edition on Thronum.

Zahra had the favourite positioned on the fence behind the leader Fell Swoop from barrier 2 before a gap presented at the 400m.

Weir said Zahra gave the mare a perfect ride.

"She really got a lovely run," said Weir.

“I thought getting to the corner he had to give her a bit of a shake. She came up underneath him and then it was just the matter of getting the gaps and luckily they came.

“She’s just made nice steps, she’s having a great preparation."

Zahra was full of praise for the former WA mare.

"Weiry just had her looking an absolute picture. She looked absolutely spot on, she got the right run from a good draw and she did the rest".

Canberra trained Fell Swoop ran gamely with the multiple G1 placegetter holding on well for second.

Weir's other starters Land Of Plenty, Fifty Stars and Brave Smash al ran home well in a race dominated by the on pace runners.


Racing and Sports

Moonee Valley

Friday, 25th January 2019

7
21:30
(local)

Australia Stakes (G2)

Age: 3yo and up Type: OPEN
AUD $202,000
1200m TURF GOOD
7
21:30
(local)
AUD $202,000
1200m GOOD

Australia Stakes (G2)

Age: 3yo and up Type: OPEN

Whispering Brook is now unbeaten in three starts this preparation and followed her good win in the Standish Handicap (Gr 3, 1200m) at Flemington on January 1 with another very good win here in this Group 2 race. She settled nicely for Mark Zahra in fifth place on the rails from her nice barrier (2), behind a solid pace. She improved on the inner nearing the home turn, got a split to hit the front on straightening and went on to score in very good style, her tenth win (four placings) from 23 starts. Fell Swoop began quickly and went to the front. He was then pressured in the lead and he fought back really well in the straight for second in a smart effort, especially considering the fast early pace. Land Of Plenty settled back in eighth place, tracked up (wide with cover) from the 700m, went deep at the home turn and continued to run on well for third in a very promising first-up effort over a distance short of his best. Princess Of Queens raced in sixth place, one off the rails, improved between runners at the home turn and then kept battling on well for a good (2.2 lengths) fourth, advancing in class here. Redkirk Warrior settled in last place in the ten-horse field, went deep approaching the home turn and kept running on well, wide out for (2.3 lengths) fifth in a smart first-up performance. Fifty Stars raced in second last place, got along the rails coming to the home turn and kept making ground on the rails for (2.9 lengths) sixth in a sound first-up run over this sprint distance.



FP Silk Horse, Age & Sex
Sire & Dam
Jockey
Trainer
SP
WT
1st 9. WHISPERING BROOK (AUS) 5yo M
HINCHINBROOK (AUS) - ARTFUL WHISPER (USA)
MARK ZAHRA
DARREN WEIR
$3.25
56.5kg
A R Macalister, Mrs B A Macalister, Mrs K Wardle, C Macalister & R D Lear

Sales Information

2nd 3. FELL SWOOP (AUS) 7yo G
NOT A SINGLE DOUBT (AUS) - TOUCHED IN FLIGHT (AUS)
KERRIN MCEVOY
MATTHEW DALE
$9
58.5kg
Mrs A E Dale, Ms M E Porter, M W Curtis, P A Armstrong, G A Singh, M J Condon, S L Dowling, I De Landelles, Miss S M Barnes, Mrs J Curtis, Mrs J Condon, Ms A Coxon, Mrs K J Armstrong, M J Stapleton, Mrs R M Barnes, Single Flight (Mgr: M McIntyre) & In Flight Group (Mgr: M McIntyre)

Sales Information

3rd 5. LAND OF PLENTY (AUS) 5yo H
STRATUM (AUS) - DANCING (GB)
DAMIAN LANE
DARREN WEIR
$6
58.5kg
Northern Lodge Thoroughbreds (Mgr: C R Smith), K B Agent, Mrs N J Agent, A R Mellis, K Sanders & M G Anceschi

Sales Information

4th 10. PRINCESS OF QUEENS (AUS) 5yo M
MAGNUS (AUS) - TRISTABEEL (AUS)
DWAYNE DUNN
MICK PRICE
$67
56.5kg

Sales Information

5th 2. REDKIRK WARRIOR (GB) 8yo G
NOTNOWCATO (GB) - FLAG (GB)
REGAN BAYLISS
D & B HAYES & T DABERNIG
$13
58.5kg

Sales Information

6th 8. FIFTY STARS (IRE) 4yo H
SEA THE STARS (IRE) - SWIZZLE STICK (IRE)
BEN ALLEN
DARREN WEIR
$7
58.5kg

Sales Information

7th 6. MANUEL (AUS) 5yo G
COMMANDS (AUS) - GIRL HUSSLER (AUS)
LUKE CURRIE
TONY MCEVOY
$41
58.5kg

Sales Information

8th 4. MALAGUERRA (AUS) 7yo G
MAGNUS (AUS) - TENNESSEE MORN (AUS)
BEN MELHAM
PETER GELAGOTIS
$7
58.5kg

Sales Information

9th 1. BRAVE SMASH (JPN) 6yo H
TOSEN PHANTOM (JPN) - TOSEN SMASH (JPN)
MICHAEL WALKER
DARREN WEIR
$8.5
58.5kg
10th 7. RUNSON (AUS) 6yo G
DELZAO (AUS) - RUNS ON DREAMS (AUS)
STEPHEN BASTER
Leon & Troy Corstens
$13
58.5kg

Sales Information

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