Waiting game for Lizzie
The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Lizzie L’Amour will need a little luck on her side if she is to join her stablemates Bonneval and Jon Snow in the Group I Caulfield Cup (2400m) field next month.
The Zabeel mare is currently ranked 41st in the order of entry, but Baker is not overly concerned at her low standing at this stage.
‘‘It’s early days,’’ he said. ‘‘They drop out a lot, so we’ll just wait and see what happens.’’
There are 12 international runners ahead of Lizzie L’Amour in the order of entry, however six of those failed to enter quarantine in England or Ireland last week.
Early indications are that only five internationals rated ahead of Lizzie L’Amour – Admire Deus, Francis of Assisi, Steel of Madrid, Johannes Vermeer and Marmelo – are likely to take their place in the $A3 million feature.
A Group I-winning daughter of Zabeel, Lizzie L’Amour disappointed when finishing seventh in the Group II Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m), but was subsequently found to have suffered an atrial fibrillation.
‘‘She’s been good as gold since,’’ Baker said.
‘‘She’s had a jump out and has passed everything. We just left it to the vet to treat her, she’s righted herself and everything is okay.’’
The classy middle distance mare will likely return to Moonee Valley for the Group II Stocks Stakes (1600m) on Friday week, with stablemate Jon Snow to step out in the Group III JRA Cup (2040m) on the same card.
Despite finishing a well-held eighth, Baker was pleased with the run of Jon Snow behind impressive winner Humidor in the Group I Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington last Saturday.
‘‘I was happy with his run,’’ he said.
‘‘He got tightened a bit, it was a funny run race because they went hard for the first 1000m. ‘‘He’s probably looking for 2000m.’’
Baker said the stable’s threeyear-old raider Weather With You will start in the Derby trial next Wednesday at Flemington over 1800m as he continues his campaign aimed at the Group I Victoria Derby (2500m) on November 4.
Meanwhile, stable star Bonneval has thrived since her first-up victory in the Group II Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) and will tackle the Group I Underwood Stakes (1800m) on September 31.
Meanwhile, defending Windsor Park Plate champion and 2017 favourite Kawi has been handed barrier 12 for Saturday’s Group I race over 1600m at Hastings.
Kawi has been opened a $4.30 favourite ahead of Gingernuts ($4.50) and Volpe Veloce ($4.80).
The Allan Sharrock-trained Kawi is not the only leading chance to draw wide.
Gingernuts will jump from barrier nine, Aide Memoire (15), Mime (10), Coldplay (18) and late entry Underthemoonlight has drawn barrier 14.
Volpe Veloce’s jockey Johnathan Parkes will have options from barrier five as will Vinnie Colgan aboard Volkstok’n’barrell from barrier three.
Tarzino Trophy winner Close Up ($17) has drawn barrier two.
The race has attracted a full field of 14 runners with Rock On, Charles Road, Chance To Dance, Amarula and Capella all on the ballot. - NZ Racing Desk.