Queensland Derby tilt for well-travelled Lavalier
Lavalier has never raced in better form and Godolphin Australia head trainer James Cummings will no doubt be hoping a slight freshen-up and a barrier trial will benefit the three-year-old going into Saturday's G1 Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm.
Considered a possible VRC Derby aspirant last spring, Lavalier failed to deliver in the lead-up before being sent for a spell.
The son of former top two-year-old Microphone and the fabulous broodmare Accessories, who has produced five individual Stakes winners – including G1 winners and sires Helmet and Epaulette, recaptured his early form with three strong placings in Melbourne and Adelaide over the past six weeks.
His latest effort, when third in the G1 South Australian Derby on 3 May, was full of merit after a tough early run from a wide barrier.
Cummings floated the gelding back to Sydney before a tick-over barrier trial at Warwick Farm on May 22 convinced the young trainer to send Lavalier to Queensland.
Jamie Melham retains the ride on Saturday and Lavalier, who will jump from an ideal barrier nine if the last four emergencies come out, is sure to run out a strong 2,400m.
Stablemate Golden Mile will have to start from the outside stall in the the G1 Kingsford Smith Cup over 1,300m at Eagle Farm, but the five-year-old should be nearing a peak performance.
Golden Mile rattled home from 12th on the home turn to finish third in the G2 Victory Stakes four weeks ago and then impressed when runner-up under a hold in Lavalier's trial at Warwick Farm.
In-form jockey Jason Collett had the reins that day and has taken the ride in the Kingsford Smith Cup.
Golden Mile has G1-winning form up to 1,600m, should appreciate the long home straight and be hitting the finishing line strongly.
Pisces has been costly to stable supporters in four runs back from a spell and needs to lift to win the G3 Fred Best Classic over 1,400m.
Fourth on heavy tracks at Hawkesbury and Doomben at his latest starts, a firmer surface should help Pisces who has drawn ideally in gate one with Melham to ride.
Champion jockey James McDonald will ride Kin in the Listed Helen Coughlan Stakes over 1,200m as the four-year-old mare chases her second Stakes-race success.
Third run back from a spell, after placings on heavy tracks at Hawkesbury and Doomben in Listed events, Kin will strip fitter and drops 1.5kg on her last performance when second to In Flight two weeks ago.
At Rosehill Gardens, Kerrin McEvoy will ride Zebra Finch and Kerguelen in restricted events for Cummings, while Mareth and Snack Bar represent the stable at Caulfield.
Two-year-old filly Mareth (Jye McNeil) will have her second start over 1,200m and Snack Bar returns from Brisbane to run against three-year-olds over the same distance with Harry Coffey aboard.
Beautiful Love chasing more G3 success at Haydock Park: Beautiful Love bids to double her G3 tally in the Lester Piggott Stakes at Haydock Park in UK on Saturday.
Trained by Charlie Appleby, the Siyouni homebred stormed home to take last season's G3 Jockey Club Oaks at Aqueduct and ran another excellent race in the US to take a close fourth in November's G1 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.
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Gulf Today
2 days ago
- Gulf Today
Queensland Derby tilt for well-travelled Lavalier
Lavalier has never raced in better form and Godolphin Australia head trainer James Cummings will no doubt be hoping a slight freshen-up and a barrier trial will benefit the three-year-old going into Saturday's G1 Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm. Considered a possible VRC Derby aspirant last spring, Lavalier failed to deliver in the lead-up before being sent for a spell. The son of former top two-year-old Microphone and the fabulous broodmare Accessories, who has produced five individual Stakes winners – including G1 winners and sires Helmet and Epaulette, recaptured his early form with three strong placings in Melbourne and Adelaide over the past six weeks. His latest effort, when third in the G1 South Australian Derby on 3 May, was full of merit after a tough early run from a wide barrier. Cummings floated the gelding back to Sydney before a tick-over barrier trial at Warwick Farm on May 22 convinced the young trainer to send Lavalier to Queensland. Jamie Melham retains the ride on Saturday and Lavalier, who will jump from an ideal barrier nine if the last four emergencies come out, is sure to run out a strong 2,400m. Stablemate Golden Mile will have to start from the outside stall in the the G1 Kingsford Smith Cup over 1,300m at Eagle Farm, but the five-year-old should be nearing a peak performance. Golden Mile rattled home from 12th on the home turn to finish third in the G2 Victory Stakes four weeks ago and then impressed when runner-up under a hold in Lavalier's trial at Warwick Farm. In-form jockey Jason Collett had the reins that day and has taken the ride in the Kingsford Smith Cup. Golden Mile has G1-winning form up to 1,600m, should appreciate the long home straight and be hitting the finishing line strongly. Pisces has been costly to stable supporters in four runs back from a spell and needs to lift to win the G3 Fred Best Classic over 1,400m. Fourth on heavy tracks at Hawkesbury and Doomben at his latest starts, a firmer surface should help Pisces who has drawn ideally in gate one with Melham to ride. Champion jockey James McDonald will ride Kin in the Listed Helen Coughlan Stakes over 1,200m as the four-year-old mare chases her second Stakes-race success. Third run back from a spell, after placings on heavy tracks at Hawkesbury and Doomben in Listed events, Kin will strip fitter and drops 1.5kg on her last performance when second to In Flight two weeks ago. At Rosehill Gardens, Kerrin McEvoy will ride Zebra Finch and Kerguelen in restricted events for Cummings, while Mareth and Snack Bar represent the stable at Caulfield. Two-year-old filly Mareth (Jye McNeil) will have her second start over 1,200m and Snack Bar returns from Brisbane to run against three-year-olds over the same distance with Harry Coffey aboard. Beautiful Love chasing more G3 success at Haydock Park: Beautiful Love bids to double her G3 tally in the Lester Piggott Stakes at Haydock Park in UK on Saturday. Trained by Charlie Appleby, the Siyouni homebred stormed home to take last season's G3 Jockey Club Oaks at Aqueduct and ran another excellent race in the US to take a close fourth in November's G1 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.
Gulf Today
01-05-2025
- Gulf Today
Sovereignty and East Avenue to lead Godolphin charge at Kentucky Derby
Sovereignty and East Avenue provide two strong chances for Godolphin to secure an elusive first G1 Kentucky Derby victory at Churchill Downs, US, on Saturday. A total of 12 colts in the royal blue silks have previously contested the Run for the Roses, with Champion Two-Year-Old and subsequent Belmont Stakes hero Essential Quality faring best as he was promoted to third in 2021. Both 2025 contenders come into the race on the back of strong efforts in defeat, with Sovereignty having closed well to go down by a length and a quarter to Tappan Street in last month's G1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. Sovereignty scored on his three-year-old return at the Florida track, swooping late to edge out River Thames in the G2 Fountain Of Youth Stakes. The Bill Mott-trained son of Into Mischief shed his maiden tag at Churchill Downs in late October, decisively winning the G3 Street Sense Stakes by five lengths. East Avenue enjoyed a spectacular start to his career for Brendan Walsh, scoring by eight lengths on his debut at Ellis Park before an equally emphatic victory in Keeneland's G1 Breeders' Futurity. A bad stumble leaving the stalls cost East Avenue any chance in the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile, although the Medaglia d'Oro colt had no excuses for a disappointing start to his three-year-old campaign in the G2 Risen Star Stakes. East Avenue returned to form under an aggressive ride in the G1 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland in April, when he was caught in the shadow of the post to finish a nose second to Fountain Of Youth Stakes fourth Burnham Square. Michael Banahan, Director of Bloodstock, Godolphin USA, said: 'Sovereignty is coming into the Kentucky Derby in excellent shape. He appears to be galloping everyday with great vigour and enjoying the Churchill Downs surface. He breezed on Sunday, and it was a nice easy maintenance work with a good gallop out. Bill could not be happier with the way he is doing. 'His draw [18] shouldn't be too much of an inconvenience with his running style. Hopefully, as they stretch out, he will be able to draft into the middle of the pack and not be wide going into the first turn. I believe having Junior Alvarado back from injury to ride him is a big advantage as he knows the horse so well and has confidence in him.' Good Cheer aims to provide Godolphin with a second G1 Kentucky Oaks victory in the space of three years as she looks to maintain her unbeaten record. Like the 2023 winner Pretty Mischievous, Good Cheer lines up under the Twin Spires having prepped at Fair Grounds, with easy wins in the G2 Rachel Alexandra Stakes and G2 Fair Grounds Oaks on her two starts this season. A homebred daughter of Medaglia d'Oro, Good Cheer won at Churchill Downs three times during her juvenile season. 'East Avenue has delighted Brendan since his very narrow miss in the Bluegrass. He is pleasing all in the Walsh barn and appears to be peaking at the right time. He showed in the Bluegrass that he has grown up and is ready to fight when the going gets tough. 'He had his final work for the Derby on Sunday and shaded a minute for his 5-furlong breeze with a nice gallop out. Manny Franco flew in from New York for the work and was very complimentary. He is very excited about riding him on Saturday. 'He got a good draw in 12, so hopefully he can draft in just behind the speed and be in position to take on the leaders on the final turn. We expect him to show up and be fighting out the finish.' Sprinting revelation Think Big goes for back-to-back G2 wins in the Twin Spires Turf Sprint on the same card. Trained by Michael Stidham, the Twirling Candy homebred is unbeaten in three appearances on grass and made an impressive Graded Stakes debut when beating Rogue Lightning in Keeneland's Shakertown Stakes earlier in the month. Agencies
Khaleej Times
02-04-2025
- Khaleej Times
Seemar's stars set for $12m Dubai World Cup showdown from opposite gates
Dubai's two leading contenders for Saturday's $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1), Imperial Emperor and Walk of Stars, will break from opposite ends of the 11-horse starting gate. But their handler, Bhupat Seemar, the reigning UAE Champion, remains confident that the draw will not compromise their chances. Imperial Emperor, widely considered the main challenger to Forever Young, the strong Japanese favourite, will start from Gate 10. Meanwhile, his stablemate and equally formidable contender, Walk of Stars, landed the inside post in Gate 1 following Wednesday morning's highly anticipated 'Post Position' draw at Meydan Racecourse. Seemar dismissed any concerns about the draw, emphasising his gallopers' adaptability saying, "It suits both horses, so we're not worried.' However, the draw has set up an intriguing scenario for the Dubai-based challengers who have demonstrated their class on Meydan's dirt track. Imperial Emperor, ridden by 12-time UAE champion jockey Tadhg O'Shea, has proven his ability to overcome wide draws, having won the Group 2 Al Maktoum Classic, a key prep race for the Dubai World Cup. from Gate 11. His stablemate, Walk of Stars, will be guided by former Dubai World Cup-winning rider Mickael Barzalona, whose inside position could provide early tactical advantages in the 2,000-metre contest. Seemar expressed confidence in their starting spots: "Walk of Stars has a lot of gate speed and will likely use the inside gate to his advantage, while Imperial Emperor is an uncomplicated push-button horse - he's won from wide draws before, so his position is not a concern. You can put him anywhere in the gate.' While acknowledging the challenge of facing Forever Young, the 2023 UAE Derby (G2) winner and this year's $20 million Saudi Cup hero, Seemar remains optimistic. "We know he's one of the best horses in the world, but you've got to be in the race to win it. Both our horses will give their best- let's see what happens. This is horse racing, some of the biggest favourites have been beaten in the past,' he added tongue-in-cheek. O'Shea, who guided Laurel River to a sensational 8 ½ length victory over 2023 Dubai World Cup sensation Ushba Tesoro, who has returned for a third crack at the $12 million prize, in last year's Dubai World Cup, is looking to make history with consecutive wins. "Imperial Emperor has drawn wide every time he's run on dirt, so this is nothing new for him. Laurel River won from Gate 12 last year, so I'm not too concerned. If he gets a clean break we can give him some space and help him find a good position." The significance of the draw Meydan's dirt track has historically favoured middle-to-high draws, as they allow horses to avoid early congestion. However, Walk of Stars' gate speed and Imperial Emperor's adaptability give Seemar and O'Shea confidence in their chances. "It all comes down to race tactics and how it will play out. You also have to factor in tack conditions on the day, and, of course, a little bit of racing luck," Seemar said Meanwhile, Yoshito Yahagi, Japan's multiple-time JRA champion trainer, was delighted with Forever Young's prime Gate 5 draw. The son of superstar sire Real Steel — who won the 2016 Dubai Turf at Meydan — has already made his mark on the international stage and is known for his sharp racing mind and tenacity. "He's a horse with a winning mentality and a fantastic attitude," Yahagi told Khaleej Times. "He's in peak condition and is very healthy heading into Saturday's race. We are very pleased with him and hope he runs another big race." Yahagi, who has trained some of Japan's most formidable horses- including Real Steel, and the now-retired Panthalassa, winner of the 2022 Dubai Turf and Saudi Cup—believes Forever Young may be the best horse he has ever trained. Other notable draws were handed to 2023 Dubai World Cup champion Ushba Tesoro (Gate 4) Wilson Tesoro (3), Rattle N Roll (2), Ramjet (9), Mixto (9), Hit Show (7), Katonah (11) and Il Miracolo (6). Trends and insights from the draw Historically, four-year-olds have performed well in the Dubai World Cup, with eight victories and 17 placings from 80 entrants. In contrast, horses older than six have managed only five wins, suggesting an advantage for younger contenders like Forever Young. The Japanese runner was a close third in last year's Kentucky Derby behind Mystik Dan and Sierra Leone, reinforcing his status as a major threat. With a high-class field and an intriguing spread of post positions, Saturday's Dubai World Cup is shaping up to be another thrilling spectacle. Whether the draw will be a decisive factor remains to be seen, but one thing is certain — the stage is set for an electrifying showdown as Dubai's finest take on the world.
