Mcgaw to launch spring carnival assault in Group 3 McNeil Stakes at Caulfield on August 30 after temperature hiccup for trainers Emma-Lee and David Browne
Mcgaw was set to resume in the Group 3 Vain Stakes at Caulfield last Saturday but a minor temperature spike derailed the Brownes' plans.
The three-year-old gelding, undefeated in two starts including the $1m Showdown, has been reset towards the Group 3 McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on August 30.
'He was just a little bit dull (Friday) afternoon,' Emma-Lee Browne said.
'We checked (his temperature), it's pretty minor but we didn't want to flatten him first-up.
'It was very minor but just enough.'
Mcgaw is set to gallop at Caulfield in two weeks to sharpen up for the McNeil Stakes.
'We'll probably bring him here … use that and probably go straight into the McNeil,' Emma-Lee said.
'The trip away is almost like a jumpout for him, he works himself pretty hard.'
Mcgaw has impressed in both starts, winning his maiden easily at Pakenham before claiming the $1 million VOBIS Showdown (1200m) at Caulfield back in March.
Mcgaw remains unbeaten with a dashing display in the VOBIS Platinum Showdown �
The gelding sustained a mid-race move under @LaneDamian & held on for @Em_spartaracing & connections. pic.twitter.com/rEyHXoe8NF
— Racing.com (@Racing) March 15, 2025
'We've been really, really, really happy with him,' Emma-Lee said. 'He's developing into a lovely strong horse.
'He's a naturally fast horse and he's still learning how to harness his speed.
The Brownes' two stable stars Basilinna and Statuario are both not far off their returns with some big targets in the months ahead.
'We're holding all of our balloons at the moment, hoping none of them are going to pop,' Emma-Lee said.
'It's good and the horses are coming along nicely.'
Basilinna holds ballot exemption in the Melbourne Cup after the five-year-old daughter of underrated Kiwi-based staying stallion Staphanos (JPN) won the Listed Andrew Ramsden at Flemington back in May.
See you in the Melbourne Cup! �
Basilinna heads straight to a Melbourne Cup after winning the Andrew Ramsden! @Em_spartaracing pic.twitter.com/4QJAQF3kRR
— 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) May 17, 2025
Basilinna has two public hit outs under the belt with her return slated for August 30.
'The plan is for her to resume at the end of the month in a 2000 metre open handicap at Caulfield on Memsie Stakes Day,' Browne said.
'She's an out and out stayer, that doesn't like being bustled early so the longer distance races keep her happy.
'She's coming up really well and we're excited about what's ahead.'
Basilinna is rated a $34 chance in the Melbourne Cup.
'We've got a few options (to get there)' Emma-Lee said.
'We'll get through the first race but we programmed what we could fit in, with maybe the Cup being fifth-up because that seems to be when she's gone very, very well.
'It's a nice position to be in (Cup qualified) but it's still slightly nerve racking.'
Group 1 -placed Statuario will resume at The Valley on September 6.
• Maher colt comes out on top in Vain battle
Statuario surprised his trainers when looking 'really sharp' and holding off the highly-regarded Deakin to lead throughout in a recent 1200m Pakenham jumpout in which Basilinna placed third.
'He's going super and we're a bit excited about him looking to the future,' Emma-Lee said.
'The couple of trips away last prep have brought him on mentally.
'We're planning to kick him off in the So You Think Stakes at Moonee Valley.
'Everything is on the table for him in the spring, we'll be guided by how he performs in open company.'
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