Ellerton, Zahra expect big day
THE Flemington training partnership of Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra will have a strong hand at the Caulfield meeting today with chances in four of the nine races.
The stable has La Volt, Essence Of Terror, Crystal Spirit and Nasdex in separate races, with the meeting delayed a day because of hot weather.
“We’ve got some nice chances,” Zahra said.
Essence Of Terror has been thereabouts recently and is the $6 second favourite in the Alice Mosley Handicap (1100m).
The mare closed strongly for sixth after getting back to last two starts ago from a wide draw at Caulfield before racing strongly in front with blinkers last time at Moonee Valley.
Essence Of Terror kicked clear around the turn only to be collared in the final strides to miss a place.
“She has drawn a barrier (4) so that helps her,” Zahra said.
La Volt has barrier one and is on the second line of betting for the Sandra Cheevers Handicap (1400m), coming in off a narrow last-start second in benchmark-64 at Moonee Valley on December 23.
“The other day he drew wide and was three-deep and just missed,” Zahra said.
Zahra said Crystal Spirit had still done a few things wrong this preparation but today’s race looked suitable for him down in the weights.
Formerly trained by Ciaron Maher, Nasdex won first-up at Pakenham last month at his first start for his new stable, before sticking on for a close third at Moonee Valley.
Zahra said he believes the Caulfield 1100m will suit him in the Jodie Taylor Handicap.
Meantime, Group 1-winning jockey Noel Callow has been suspended for 10 meetings for careless riding at Mornington aboard Misscino on New Year’s Day. He will next be free to ride at the Caulfield meeting on January 17.