Ciaron Maher’s Kilmore Cup winner last Sunday Hazzabeel will head to Perth next-up for a shot at the 2016 Kingston Town Classic in December.
Trainer Ciaron Maher has confirmed plans to send his Kilmore Cup winner Hazzabeel back to Perth for a shot at the 2016 Kingston Town Classic on December 3. Photo: Daniel Costello.
The now six-year-old son of Zabeel did the bulk of his racing in W.A. with Daniel Morton before being transferred to the Caulfield stables of Maher earlier this spring.
The galloper won last year’s Group 3 R.J. Peters Stakes (1500m) at Ascot Racecourse before finishing fifth in the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) and 15th of 16 runners behind Perfect Reflection in the $1 million Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m).
In his first victory since Hazzabeel enjoyed a nearly two length victory last weekend in the Listed Kilmore Cup (1600m).
Maher has since confirmed plans to send him back to Perth for a second shot at the Kingston Town Classic, the million dollar weight-for-age summer showdown to run on December 3.
“I think he’ll get on a flight to WA on Friday, and we’ll have a look at the Kingstown Town,” Maher told Racing Victoria on Tuesday morning.
Hazzabeel was unsuited to the Heavy (8) Ascot track last Kingston Town Classic Day and is deserving of another crack at the Group 1 title according to his new trainer.
“This time last year, he was very good in the Railway Stakes,” Maher added.
“He’s been out of form since, but obviously bounced back in the Kilmore Cup.
“A lot of his connections and owners are from Western Australia so we’ll head over there and see if we can’t put another win on the board.”
Current pre-field Kingston Town Classic odds at Ladbrokes.com.au are led be the reigning champion Perfect Reflection ($4.60).
The Grant & Alana Williams-trained mare ran third in last weekend’s Railway Stakes behind Scales Of Justice, a race that has produced five of the past eight Kingston Town Classic winners.
Scales Of Justice occupies the second line of all-in Kingston Town Classic betting to complete the double for the first time since Sniper’s Bullet (2009).
The Lindsey Smith-trained Not A Single Doubt four-year-old is also out to extend his winning streak to four on the trot at Ascot, but has his first look at further than 1600m.
Hazzabeel is yet to be added to the early markets at Ladbrokes.com.au, but is sure to feature prominently based on his previous experience at the track and his Kilmore Cup success.
Get behind your early selections for Saturday week’s Kingston Town Classic as well as your Winterbottom Stakes tips in Perth this weekend at the right price now at Ladbrokes.com.au.
