A field full of young Magic Millions Classic hopefuls has been nominated for one of the juvenile classic’s primary lead-up races, the Phelan Ready Stakes 2012 running at Eagle Farm Racecourse this weekend.
There were 15 early entries for the $100,000 Listed Phelan Ready Stakes (1000m), open to two-year-old colts & geldings the bulk of which have their eyes on the summer’s biggest prize – the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday January 12, 2013.
The two top-rated Phelan Ready Stakes nominees are Gillian Heinrich’s Street Sense two-year-old Shantung Boxer who also finished runner-up on debut back on November 10 in the wet, and the Matthew Dunn-trained Lonhro colt Londehero who comes off a close second to Sister Magic in their debut on December 1.
Dunn, who would have liked to go straight to the 1200m with his up-and-comer this Saturday, has high hopes for Londehero who he knows would have won their debut if they hadn’t blow the start.
“I would’ve preferred him going to 1200 metres but in saying that, he missed the start the other day and did a few things wrong,” he said.
“He’ll have a little refresher course on Tuesday morning to sort out his barrier manners to make sure he jumps properly.”
After their run in the Phelan Ready Stakes Londehero will be sent for a spell to prepare for the 2013 Magic Millions Gold Coast Carnival.
“After this race he’ll spell – win, lose or draw,” Dunn confirmed.
Other notable nominees in the mix for the 2012 Phelan Ready Stakes include Heinrich’s other entry Choisir colt Eliminator coming off a huge 8.5 length debut win over 900m at the Gold Coast 10 weeks ago, and Gold Coast gallopers El Toranado and Telegram.
Along with the Gold Coast’s Heinrich, other trainers dually represented in the Phelan Ready Stakes nominations are then John Thompson with the unraced duo Aldous and Always A Gibberer, and Peter Blazen who has entered Aquator and Deepest who are yet to even trial.
The fillies-equivalent of the Phelan Ready Stakes will also run at Eagle Farm on Saturday with the $100,000 Listed Calaway Gal Stakes (1000m) attracting 16 entries.
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2012 Phelan Ready Stakes Nominations
Eagle Farm Racecourse – 15/12/2012
| # | Horse | Trainer | Ballot | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ALDOUS | John P Thompson | 6= | 56.5kg |
| 2 | ALWAYS A GIBBERER | John P Thompson | 6= | 56.5kg |
| 3 | AQUATOR | Peter Balzen | 6= | 56.5kg |
| 4 | DEEPEST | Peter Balzen | 6= | 56.5kg |
| 5 | EL TORANADO | Maryann Thexton | 4 | 56.5kg |
| 6 | ELIMINATOR | Gillian Heinrich | 3 | 56.5kg |
| 7 | HALO SHINE | Jai Phillips | 6= | 56.5kg |
| 8 | IN THE SKY ROCKET | Ron Maund | 14 | 56.5kg |
| 9 | LONDEHERO | Matthew Dunn | 1= | 56.5kg |
| 10 | ROYAL SCRIBE | David Kelly | 6= | 56.5kg |
| 11 | SHANTUNG BOXER | Gillian Heinrich | 1= | 56.5kg |
| 12 | SIR LUMINAR | Michael Nolan | 6= | 56.5kg |
| 13 | SIR MOMENTS | Steven O’dea | 6= | 56.5kg |
| 14 | TELEGRAM | Ross Balcombe | 5 | 56.5kg |
| 15 | VALHALLA MIST | Steele Ryan | 15 | 56.5kg |
