Latest news with #TomDabernig
News.com.au
10-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Jockey Jordan Childs eyeing Group 3 Monash Stakes with Cleo Cat at Caulfield
Jockey Jordan Childs has the task of completing a trainer's long-term mission in Saturday's Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield. Warrnambool trainer Tom Dabernig earmarked the Sir John Monash Stakes as a target for smart mare Cleo Cat as the mare started her preparation back in May. Dabernig wanted to have Romantic Choice and Fickle alongside Cleo Cat in top form in the last month of the season but the latter will be the only stable representative in Saturday's feature. 'The theory is to have them in work all through winter and maybe have a crack at the Bletchingly or Monash, those sprints they have in July before the spring horses get fit,' Dabernig said in May. 'Often you get the spring horses in it that need the run and the fit winter horse can pick them up.' Cleo Cat won a Group 3 sprint in Adelaide on May 10 before running second to Niance in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes and Marble Nine in an open sprint at Flemington at subsequent runs. Marble Nine went on to salute in a Listed contest at Flemington last Saturday, boosting Childs' confidence in Cleo Cat returning to winning ways in the Monash Stakes. 'There's good form around her,' Childs said. Speaking to Tom, he said she's in good shape so I'm going in confident on Saturday.' Cleo Cat has remained solid in early Monash Stakes betting at $5.50 despite drawing barrier 10 in the 11-horse field. However, Childs said varying factors such as the prevailing winds or track condition, could mitigate the effects of the potentially awkward barrier. 'She doesn't have to lead and if the track is a bit wet too, it might not be a bad thing being out there,' Childs said. 'The other side of it is that there is only one corner so you can sit a bit wide in that Caulfield chute. 'It will depend on how the day is playing and how the race unfolds but she is in great form.' While Childs kept an open mind on his Monash Stakes tactics, he ruled out firing Cleo Cat out of the barriers to make her take a forward position. He said the mare would find her own spot early in the $200,000 race. 'Every time I've ridden her, I've just let her race where she's comfortable,' Childs said. 'You don't pull but you don't push her either. 'Whether that lands us in front or taking a sit, you've just got to be really smooth on her to keep the momentum and keep her in a happy spot.' Marine Empress at Geelong on Friday. The Grahame Begg -trained Marine Empress ran on hard for second on debut at Geelong with the daughter of Camelot showing she had a bright future as distances increased. 'She hadn't shown at home so we weren't too sure how she'd go first-up,' Childs said. 'She drew wide, so we rode her nice and quiet but she absolutely rocketed home. 'She feels like a stayer that is a very kind ride. She just comes back underneath you and that will take her a long way.'
News.com.au
27-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Tom Dabernig to aim three mares at Saturday's Listed Bel Esprit Stakes at Caulfield
Tom Dabernig will tackle Saturday's Listed Bel Esprit Stakes with three runners in order to lay the foundation for a July ambush at Caulfield. The Warrnambool -based Dabernig will run smart mares Cleo Cat, Romantic Choice and Fickle in the Caulfield feature as part of a plan to have the trio hard-fit for Group 3 races in July. 'The theory is to have them in work all through winter and maybe have a crack at the Bletchingly or Monash, those sprints they have in July before the spring horses get fit,' Dabernig said. 'Often you get the spring horses in it that need the run and the fit winter horse can pick them up.' • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Dabernig has already secured valuable black type with Cleo Cat and Romantic Choice with the pair winning at Group 3 and Listed level respectively while Fickle will have her second start at stakes level on Saturday. As a winner of seven of her eight starts, Cleo Cat will lead Dabernig's Bel Esprit Stakes team. The four-year-old has returned in terrific form this time in, easily winning a three-horse race at Warrnambool before leading throughout to win the Group 3 Proud Miss Stakes in Adelaide last time out. From Warrnambool to Morphettville, Cleo Cat pounces & makes it seven wins from eight career starts 😻 @dabernigracing @JChilds47 â€' (@Racing) May 10, 2025 • Group 1-winning trainer to hand in licence at season's end Cleo Cat's only defeat came in the Listed Black Pearl Stakes at Geelong in January. Dabernig said the four-year-old had excuses for that performance. 'Cleo Cat is clearly in great form at the moment. I would say Cleo Cat hasn't missed a beat since Adelaide,' Dabernig said. 'In the Geelong run, she was only beaten 1.4 (lengths) but it was 36 degrees and she pulled up with a bit of heat stress. 'That's the other theory why we brought her in through winter. We thought the cooler weather might suit her better.' Romantic Choice won the Black Pearl Stakes in January after a solid fifth in the Listed Christmas Stakes on the Caulfield Heath track last December. The four-year-old has finished midfield at both runs this time in but Dabernig said punters could forgive Romantic Choice's latest effort in the Listed Wangoom Handicap at Warrnambool on April 30. 'In the Wangoom, the track was a bit choppy and she drew barrier one and led on the rail but just couldn't get her rhythm right,' Dabernig said. 'She should appreciate Caulfield and the better surface or the more even track. 'I'd forgive her (for the Wangoom run) and she's a natural on-pacer.' Fickle will resume in the Bel Esprit Stakes after struggling at Listed level at The Valley before a spell. The speedy mare has pleased Dabernig with her recent trials, which convinced him to test her in Saturday's race. 'She's had three trials and ideally, I'd like to kick her off at 1000(m) but the black type over 1100m is worth a try for her, especially if she could place in it,' Dabernig said. Dabernig has booked Beau Mertens to ride Cleo Cat as her regular rider Jordan Childs will be in Brisbane while Harry Coffey and Declan Bates will ride Romantic Choice and Fickle respectively.
