Eleven runners have been included in nominations for the featured 2016 Lough Neagh Stakes (1350m) at Doomben Racecourse on Saturday.
Big Money has been included in 2016 Lough Neagh Stakes nominations. Photo: Daniel Costello
Interstate raider Big Money was unable to match the late pace when seventh in the Group 3 George Moore Stakes (1200m) first-up a fortnight ago, but has reportedly taken plenty of benefit from the run ahead of the Lough Neagh Stakes.
Winner of the Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes (1200m) most notably in autumn this year, Big Money finished sixth in the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) during the Adelaide Autumn Carnival, but was simply outclassed when he finished twelfth in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m).
Returning to the paddock after running second in the Listed Ramornie Handicap (1200m) and fifth in the Group 2 Missile Stakes (1200m), the Choisir gelding’s class is sure to count for a lot in what could be a small Lough Neagh Stakes field.
Too Good To Refuse was unable to make up the distance over the dying stages of the George Moore Stakes last time out and will subsequently relish a step up to 1350m in the Lough Neagh Stakes.
A strong and consistent performer for Desleigh Forster through his entire race career so far, Too Good To Refuse will carry a positive record of five wins and as many minors through nineteen career starts, into the Lough Neagh Stakes.
Resuming this time for second in the Queensland X-Ray Handicap (1110m), the Rothesay entire returned to winning form in the Listed Keith Noud Quality (1200m) on November 19th and was arguably a good thing beaten at his last start.
Group 1 winner Miss Cover Girl ran on for fourth in the George Moore Stakes last time and is another runner who will enjoy a step up in distance on Saturday.
Miss Cover Girl has been the stable star for Kelly Schweida throughout her entire racing career so far and is a multiple stakes winner, in Queensland and abroad.
Returning to the track after a freshen-up for second in the Listed Silk Stocking (1200m), the Monashee Mountain mare placed seventh in the Listed Bright Shadow Quality (1200m) and fourth in the Group 2 QTC Cup (1300m) before delivering a talented field a comfortable defeat in the Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m).
Ninth Legion is a proven performer at the distance and in Queensland, and has been included in Lough Neagh Stakes nominations by trainer Peter Robl.
Winner of the Listed Eye Liner Stakes (1350m) at Ipswich on June 18th, the Fastnet Rock gelding repeated the dose in the Listed Civic Stakes (1350m) and capped his preparation a credible third in the Listed Winter Stakes (1400m).
While yet to find peak condition through four starts this time, Ninth Legion is another horse whose class is sure to count in the Lough Neagh Stakes.
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2016 Lough Neagh Stakes Nominations
| # | Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 310x6025x7 | BIG MONEY | G | 7 | Rodney Northam | 105 |
| 2 | 32610×0482 | COOLRING | G | 6 | Bjorn Baker | 97 |
| 3 | 8311432×90 | FLAMBOYER | G | 6 | Kelly Doughty | 93 |
| 4 | 50x360x221 | KURO (NZ) | G | 5 | Joseph Pride | – |
| 5 | 1x4x61041x | LUCKY TOM | G | 5 | Harold Norman | 90 |
| 6 | 835x2741x4 | MISS COVER GIRL | M | 5 | Kelly Schweida | 105 |
| 7 | x244831231 | MOST IMPORTANT | G | 4 | Tony Gollan | 98 |
| 8 | 07113×5687 | NINTH LEGION | G | 7 | Peter Robl | – |
| 9 | 5823x069Px | SHOREHAM | G | 7 | Les Kelly | – |
| 10 | 07318×8401 | SPOT THE DIFF | F | 3 | John Zielke | 78 |
| 11 | 051250×215 | TOO GOOD TO REFUSE | H | 4 | Desleigh Forster | 94 |
