Sydney’s leading trainer Chris Waller has a double pronged assault planned for this Saturday’s Breeders Classic 2013 at Rosehill Gardens with his smart stablemates Nocturnelle and Red Tracer among the early entries for the mares-only clash.
Chris Waller's multiple Group winner Red Tracer kicks off her autumn campaign in the Breeders Classic 2013
A total of 10 hopefuls make up the current nominees for this year’s edition of the $175,000 Group 2 Breeders Classic (1200m) with nominations extended until 11:00am (AEST) on Tuesday.
Among the nominations are two from Waller’s stable, the most notable of which is his Dane Shadow five-year-old Red Tracer who was third in the Breeders Classic 12 months ago.
Red Tracer, a Group 2 winner at Randwick first-up in October, hasn’t raced since her 10th to Appearance in the Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m) last November but her record when resuming is impressive including having been beaten only a length in last year’s Breeders Classic.
Waller’s other entry is then Elusive Quality four-year-old Nocturnelle who is the sole last start winner in the mix having scored the Listed Angst Stakes (1500m) at this track back in mid-October which was her second Listed win on the trot following her victory in the Tibbie Stakes at Newcastle.
“Nocturnelle and Red Tracer will both run in the Breeders Classic,” Waller confirmed this week.
“Of the two, Red Tracer is probably the most forward at this stage. I wouldn’t mind a bit of rain for her.”
Another big name chance in the race is then John O’Shea’s reigning Breeders Classic winner Steps In Time.
The now five-year-old Danehill Dancer mare won this race second-up off a resuming victory at Canterbury last summer.
On the weekend she looks to return to form going first-up into the clash having last been seen failing to overcome her wide gate 15 of 16 drawn when eighth to Koonoomoo in the Group 3 Herald Sun Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Emirates Stakes Day.
Other notable Breeders Classic 2013 nominations then include the Gary Portelli-trained Testa Rossa four-year-old Bella Rossie last seen running second in the Magic Millions Sprint on the Gold Coast, Nick Olive’s in-form Canberra based mare Capital Commander who was third to Bennetta in the Magic Millions Fillies & Mares Handicap at her most recent run, the Joe Pride-trained Group 1 The Galaxy third placegetter from last autumn Ladys Angel and John O’Shea’s Tattersalls Tiara winner Pear Tart.
The Breeders Classic is the perfect starting point for mares heading towards some of the bigger majors of the autumn for their kind including the $600,000 Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill on March 23 and $400,000 Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1500m) back at the track on Golden Slipper Day, April 6, making it a nice betting guide to keep a keen eye on.
See below for the latest list of entries with the Breeders Classic final field and barrier draw due to be released on Wednesday.
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2013 Breeders Classic Nominations
Rosehill Gardens – 16/02/2013
| # | Horse | Trainer | Hcp. Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BELLA ROSSIE | Gary Portelli | 65 |
| 2 | CAPITAL COMMANDER | Nick Olive | – |
| 3 | CHOICE WORDS | David Vandyke | 84 |
| 4 | EMERALD DOWNS | Anthony Cummings | 69 |
| 5 | FREETOAIR | Luke Pepper | 79 |
| 6 | LADYS ANGEL | Joseph Pride | – |
| 7 | NOCTURNELLE | Chris Waller | – |
| 8 | PEAR TART | John P Thompson | – |
| 9 | RED TRACER | Chris Waller | – |
| 10 | STEPS IN TIME | John O’Shea | – |
