One horse is already secured by Ciaron Maher for the Listed VRC St Leger this Saturday, but the top trainer specialising in stayers desires a much larger contingent for the prominent Flemington race.
The 28 entries for the 2800-metre $200,000 prize money event include Awesome Artist, Noble Falcon, Intervened, and the Tasmanian Derby winner Dad And Dave.
Awesome Artist is on track for inclusion in the 18-runner field with four emergencies, whereas Noble Falcon and Intervened fall short of the limit, and assistant Jack Turnbull is hopeful they can gain access to this prime target.
“We feel for those three it’s a good option and all horses are going to relish the trip,” Turnbull said.
“They’re all going to furnish and they’re going to learn with racing.
“They’re just raw young horses that are bred to stay and they’ll continue to learn and mature as they get older.”
Maher looks to claim a repeat win in the historic Victorian Anzac Day race, having succeeded in 2021 via Through Irish Eyes in conjunction with David Eustace.
Dad And Dave has struggled to finish prominently in his two most recent races, the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2000m) and Listed Galilee Series Final (2400m), but earlier Listed victories in the Launceston Guineas (2000m) and Tasmanian Derby (2400m) lock in his St Leger berth.
Awesome Artist ended 2-3/4 lengths adrift of Dad And Dave in the Galilee Final after a Canberra 2000m win, and according to Turnbull, a race run at a solid clip would suit him ideally for a potential triumph.
“They might have just went a fraction sedate throughout,” Turnbull said of the Galilee Final.
“He’s one-paced and needs a true gallop.”
Proisir gelding Noble Falcon was fourth to stablemate Ardashir last out in a 2550m Pakenham maiden, having notched his only placing previously over 2540m at Cranbourne in four career runs.
Intervened, by Kermadec, is winless and placeless in three starts, filling sixth at Pakenham this time in over 1600m and 2000m.
Further VRC St Leger hopefuls encompass fillies After Summer and Classic Gem from Dom Sutton, who placed third and fourth in the Group 1 ATC Oaks at their latest, as well as Arabian Prince, Deal Done Fast, and Savisanta from the ATC Derby.
Visit racing betting markets to find value in the VRC St Leger this Saturday.