An eleven horse field has accepted in Saturday’s TAB.com.au Stakes at Flemington racecourse.
The race start time is set for 5:20pm with the race run over 1200m at Group 2 level.
Field:
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DIBAYANI (IRE) | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Mark Zahra | 2 | 58kg | |||
| 2 | BALL OF MUSCLE | Joseph Pride | Kerrin McEvoy | 3 | 57.5kg | |||
| 3 | DOTHRAKI | Peter & Paul Snowden | Blake Shinn | 11 | 57kg | |||
| 4 | GENERALIFE | John O’Shea | James McDonald | 9 | 57kg | |||
| 5 | KEEN ARRAY | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Joao Moreira | 4 | 56.5kg | |||
| 6 | COUNTERATTACK | Chris Waller | Ben Melham | 7 | 55kg | |||
| 7 | DURENDAL | Mathew Ellerton & Simon Zahra | Damian Lane | 10 | 54.5kg | |||
| 8 | OCEAN EMBERS | Shea Eden | Craig Williams | 1 | 54.5kg | |||
| 9 | WE’VE GOT THIS | Greg Eurell | Chad Schofield | 5 | 54.5kg | |||
| 10 | ILLUSTRIOUS LAD | Peter Gelagotis | Anthony Darmanin | 6 | 54.5kg | |||
| 11 | SOUTHERN LEGEND | Les Bridge | Tim Clark | 8 | 54.5kg |
Other News:
A Group One start for two Cranbourne-trained horses hinges on their performances in a sprint race at Flemington.
Ocean Embers and We’ve Got This are set to run in the Group Two TAB.com.au Stakes on Saturday with the potential to back up the following week in the Darley Classic.
Both races are run over the straight 1200m course.
Shea Eden, who trains Ocean Embers, says the mare has trained on strongly since her fourth behind Star Turn in the Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield on October 8.
She finished just behind Fell Swoop who has since come out and franked the form with his placing in the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley last week.
“”She’s racing well and we go into Saturday feeling confident,” Eden said.
“I think Flemington, down the straight, should suit.
“She should be a bit closer in the run and with her turn of foot she should go close.”
Eden said he had been mindful to keep her fresh throughout her preparation with the possibility of a Darley run.
We’ve Got This has raced exclusively on the straight course this preparation with his trainer Greg Eurell saying it has come by chance, rather than planning.
The gelding hasn’t raced since finishing second to The Quarterback in the Gilgai Stakes at Flemington on October 2.
“A bit of a gap between runs suits this horse,” Eurell said.
“It wasn’t set that way, even though he is good down the straight, but it’s been a good blend of how the races have worked out.
“If he was to win on Saturday then we’d give consideration to backing up the following Saturday.
“The quick back-up may be a little question mark but if he keeps running as well as he has been then you have to have a throw at the stumps.”
Chad Schofield who is making the trip from Hong Kong to ride Seaburge in the Cantala Stakes, takes the ride on We’ve Got This on Saturday.
