Search

show me:

Begg trio kick off spring at Flemington

3 minute read

Grahame Begg will head to Flemington on Saturday with three horses he hopes to be contenders for bigger races during Melbourne’s spring carnival.

Trainer : GRAHAME BEGG.
Trainer : GRAHAME BEGG. Picture: Racing and Sports

Galaxy Raider commences his campaign in the $200,000 Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Stakes (1200m) with Begg holding Group 1 aspirations during Melbourne Cup week. 

Grahame Begg has picked out the $1.5 million Cantala Stakes (1600m) for Galaxy Raider who has shown a liking for the Flemington circuit, especially the 1600m journey. 

Galaxy Raider won successive races over the Flemington mile earlier in the year and Begg was aiming for victory in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes at the course and distance in February which, if successful in, would have gained the now eight-year-old a start in the $5 million All-Star Mile at Caulfield. 

That did not pan out but Begg has mapped out a program, predominantly at Flemington, for the gelding ahead of the Cantala Stakes. 

"He goes so well at Flemington and that's the race we thought would be a good race for him if he can get in it with a light weight," Begg said. 

"After Saturday he'll run in the (Listed) Paris Lane Stakes (1400m) in about three weeks and then he'll go to The Valley for the (Group 2) Crystal Mile and then have the quick back-up into the Cantala. 

"He goes really well on a quick back-up, so that's the plan at this stage." 

Joining Galaxy Raider on a potential path to the Cantala Stakes will be Romancer who lines up in the $140,000 Listed The Sofitel (1400m). 

Romancer has not raced since winning a handicap over 1600m at Flemington on July 18. 

But Begg said Romancer was on song ahead of his first-up assignment on Saturday. 

"He's had a 1200-metre trial about a month ago on the course proper at Caulfield and another 800-metre jump-out at Caulfield last week," Begg said. 

"It's a very competitive race but the horse is going really well. 

"He also goes really well at Flemington so the Cantala could be a target race, but this looks a nice race to kick him off in." 

Begg has also nominated Romancer for the $1 million Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on October 3. 

"I put him in the Epsom just to cover off the bases," Begg said. 

The third of Begg's runners on Saturday is Mildred who lines up for her first run as a three-year-old in the $140,000 Listed Cap D'Antibes Stakes (1100m) after winning three races in her juvenile year. 

Begg said he would be guided by the filly's form as to which direction she takes, however he did say Mildred would be kept to short course contests. 

"It has come up quite a strong race and there are no easy ones, especially at this time of year, but she's won some nice races along the way and has to carry the weight unfortunately," Begg said. 

"We'll just pick our way through the spring. We've not actually decided which way we're going but there's plenty of races available for her."


Racing and Sports

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au