3 minute read
A look at some of the lesser races on Cox Plate qualifying day at Moonee Valley.
Aysar strikes winning form again
Lindsay Park galloper Aysar registered his first win in a week shy of two years with his victory in the Listed Chautauqua Stakes (1200m).
Aysar's last win was at Sandown over 1300m in September 2020, but the now five-year-old did perform well later that spring finishing second in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas behind Ole Kirk and second to stablemate Crosshaven in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes at Flemington.
He returned the following autumn for two further seconds in Group 3 races.
But his form fell away during his four-year-old season, and he went nine starts without filling a place while his lone start as a five-year-old prior to Saturday's success was a last place finish in the Group 2 P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield last month.
Co-trainer J D Hayes said Aysar was a quirky galloper who had not been the easiest horse to train.
"He was starting to run out of chances, and I think he knew what was on the table there, it would have been his manhood, so he really performed how he works at home," Hayes said.
"He does have a terrific motor there and it was just good to see him put them to the sword today."
Shalaman holds on
Trainer Matt Laurie was holding his breath and watching for the winning post when Shalaman kicked clear in the Inglis Ready2Race Sale October 11 Plate (1200m).
Shalaman had been run down at his two previous starts at Moonee Valley over 955m and 1000m but held on to claim a short head win over Meridus on Saturday.
Laurie said he feels Shalaman could have a length up his sleeve if challenged but feels the colt is holding something back.
"He kind of looks as though he's going to really deliver and put them away, but he just holds back," Laurie said.
"I think he has that extra length up his sleeve but it's just not coming at this stage.
"It's good to get the win. It's a big result, he was an expensive colt and some big owners have chipped in and it's nice to select a good horse."
Laurie said the Group 3 Red Anchor Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Day was the likely spring target for Shalaman in preference to the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington the following week.
The trainer won the Red Anchor Stakes with Portland Sky two years ago.
All-the-way goes Military Expert
NSW-based Annabel Neasham registered a two-state double when Military Expert led throughout to claim the Drummond Golf Handicap (1600m).
The victory followed the win of Zaaki in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick earlier in the afternoon while it gave Military Expert back-to-back wins having scored over 1400m at Caulfield last month.
Neasham's racing manager Rob Archibald said the stable was unlikely to be rushing to get the son of Redoute's Choice to a higher grade too soon.
"He's a beautiful Redoute's (Choice) colt owned by Aquis and they've been big supporters of the stable and obviously the plan is for him to one day end up there," Archibald said.
"So, we'll just see how he comes through the run and Annabel will make that decision in time, but it's nice to see him put another one together."
Winning rider Jamie Kah said Military Expert was a lovely horse who could go on to bigger things.
"The other day he was tough, he had a grinding finish, but today his turn of foot was massive," Kah said.
"He's just in a good headspace at the moment, I guess. Annabel and the team have got him perfect, he's just racing well and he's a happy horse and hopefully it continues."
Quote of the Day
"He could go around in race eight, this horse. You wouldn't even know he's gone around. He's got a constitution on him, he's become very strong as an older horse and I wouldn't be surprised if he's going around in seven days' time again, to be honest." - Brett Prebble after scoring aboard Desert Icon in the Powerflo Solutions Handicap.
