3 minute read
A look at the stories of the undercard at Flemington.
What You Need lands Sunlight Classic
What You Need is likely to head to Sydney following his win in the Listed Sunlight Classic (1100m).
The Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr -trained three-year-old kept his record intact from three-career starts with Saturday's victory.
The Group 2 Arrowfield Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on April 8 is the next race on the agenda for the son of Supido.
"That probably carries a fair bit of weight for a stud prospect, so that's where we'll go," Kent Jnr said.
"He's got the most unflappable temperament you will find, he's just a gorgeous, gorgeous colt and he's got the physique of a very good horse.
"He's very exciting."
Melham said What You Need was a topline colt that had had issues getting to where he is at present.
"He's really professional, he didn't turn a hair, he just knows when the barriers open it's switch-on time," Melham said.
"I've got no doubt he'll make his way there in time. He'll bounce out of this run, and I just expect him to keep improving off the back of this."
Veranskova lands first-up prize
Veranskova has put a smile back on Cindy Alderson's face after her first-up win in the Good Friday Appeal Trophy (1100m).
Alderson was downcast after Jigsaw finished out of the money in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
"It's a fabulous result, we had a bit of a flat night last night, so it's fabulous to bounce back with a winner today," Alderson said.
"She's a great mare, she's got oodles of ability, she's not the soundest horse in the world but Daniel (Moor) gave her a nice ride today and Seradess is a pretty good filly, so it was good to get the bob in on the line."
Alderson has plans of heading to Geelong on Good Friday for the $500,000 Country Discovery (1100m) and then potentially to Adelaide for a stakes race.
"It'd be lovely to get a Black Type win, she's got a placing, but a win would be fabulous," Alderson said.
Alderson bookended Saturday's program when Stormbolt took out the TAB Bets Friends Sprint (1200m).
Sparkle set to shine at Easter
Having now won twice at 2000m at Flemington, a rise to Stakes company now awaits Japanese-bred mare Sparkle.
The Danny O'Brien-trained mare was having her fourth Australian start on Saturday when she took out the Grand Handicap Classic (2000m) and is now set to head to Sandown in a fortnight.
The Group 3 Easter Cup (2100m) will be the next assignment for the mare who was a stakes placegetter in Japan before being purchased to continue her career in Australia.
"She's Stakes-placed in Japan, it would be great to win an Australian Stakes race with her," O'Brien said.
O'Brien praised the winning ride of apprentice Celine Gaudray who landed her fourth metropolitan win in four days, including a double at Moonee Valley on Friday night and her first at Flemington.
"Really impressed with Celine," O'Brien said.
"We didn't think we'd lead today, we thought Will Price's horse (Flying Basil) would give her a lead up, but he got back behind us, and she took the initiative."
Straight line works for Kallos
Godolphin galloper Kallos has continued his affection with the straight track at Flemington, collecting the Listed Bob Hoysted Handicap (1000m).
The James Cummings-trained gelding took out the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) as a three-year-old before finding winning form again earlier in the month over Saturday's course and distance.
Kallos returned as a gelding this campaign registering his two wins at Flemington and Cummings' Melbourne assistant Sean Keogh said a trip to Adelaide for the Carnival may now be considered.
"Coming back as a gelding and putting one away justifies the decision to geld him and it's just nice that he could put a Black Type race away again today," Keogh said.
"The big racing is in Sydney and then you've got the Queensland Carnival, but Adelaide, we're not far from there when he's in Melbourne, so it's definitely an option.
"But it's great to see the horse racing so well."
Not An Option scores overdue win
Trainer Mike Moroney will consider a Stakes race for Not An Option after he made a return to winning form in the Choices Flooring Handicap (1400m).
After starting his career in New Zealand with Tony Pike, Not An Option had a stint in Sydney with Richard and Michael Freedman before finding his way into Mike Moroney's care in September 2021.
Not An Option's only win for Moroney came 12 months ago when successful in the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) at Mornington.
"He just needed a little bit of luck and things go his way," Moroney said.
"He's a really good horse and no matter who's trained him has said that and I've taken that on board. He's certainly showed me the same and finally we got it right.
"He's been a long time out of the winner's scene, but things have gone wrong, as they do, barrier draws, but he's quirky and he needs things to go his way and he got it today."
Moroney said the Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) at Sandown on April 8 may be the next assignment for Not An Option.
Quote of the day
"I spoke to Jamie this morning and she wasn't too happy I was riding her horse, but she said if I win on him, we're going halves, so we're keeping it in the family at least" - Ben Melham having replaced sidelined Jamie Kah aboard Kallos in the Bob Hoysted Handicap.
