A talented field of 12 has been confirmed to line up for the 2014 Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Flemington this weekend, including exciting three-year-old Boomwaa.
Boomwaa highlights the final field for the 2014 VRC Sires' Produce Stakes. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia
Having debuted on track third behind Risen From Doubt and Jabali in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes (1000m) on October 5th, Boomwaa (barrier 2) quickly firmed as a frontrunner for both the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) and major Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) following a strong of particularly consistent results.
Despite finishing fifth behind exciting filly Earthquake in the Blue Diamond, Boomwaa remains a leading contender for the slipper after becoming the first two-year-old in more than 20 years to contest the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) and will likely jump as favourite for the Sires’ Produce Stakes this weekend.
Also included in the final field for the 2014 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes is talented two-year-old Marcado.
After winning a strong Cranbourne barrier trial on January 30th, Marcado comfortably jogged home to secure the Listed Talindert Stakes (1100m) on debut in February 15th and deliver trainer Steve Richards are well-earned, well-deserved victory following a tough year.
Despite drawing the somewhat wide barrier 9, Richards is confident the exciting Choisir gelding can continue his so-far perfect career start this weekend, and will again be partnered by jockey Steven King.
Leon Corstens-trained Awesome Rock will also carry winning form into the 2014 VRC Sires’s Produce Stakes, having claimed the Say It With Flowers Handicap (1300m) on February 26th.
Corstens is confident of a strong run from Awesome Rock from barrier 8, and is hoping a strong result on Saturday will translate into a possible run in either the Golden Slipper or Group 1 ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) one week later.
David Hayes-trained Zululand is also seeking a berth in either of the Golden Slipper or ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes, and was perhaps the biggest winner at this morning’s barrier draw; having been delegated gate 5 for Saturday’s Group 2.
While unable to perform to a high standard in either of the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes (1100m) or Blue Diamond Stakes so far this season, Hayes remains confident of a standout debut preparation for the young Fastnet Rock colt.
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2014 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes Final Field and Barrier Draw
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3412205 | BOOMWAA | Robbie Laing | Vlad Duric | 2 | 56.5kg | 72 |
| 2 | 1 | MARCADO | Steve Richards | Steven King | 9 | 56.5kg | 70 |
| 3 | 71 | AWESOME ROCK | Leon Corstens | Michael Rodd | 8 | 56.5kg | 65 |
| 4 | 2×49 | ZULULAND | David Hayes | Stephen Baster | 5 | 56.5kg | 63 |
| 5 | 15 | RED LETTER DAY | Peter G Moody | Luke Nolen | 3 | 56.5kg | 64 |
| 6 | 7×01 | HAWKING | Mick Price | Damien Oliver | 4 | 56.5kg | 63 |
| 7 | 190 | MALAGUERRA | Wez Hunter | Chris Symons | 6 | 56.5kg | 63 |
| 8 | 5454 | VALDEZ | Graeme Mcculloch | – | 12 | 56.5kg | 60 |
| 9 | 22 | GLENROWAN PRINCE | Kym Hann | Brad Rawiller | 7 | 56.5kg | 62 |
| 10 | 0x456 | SAY MY NAME | Michael Moroney | Damian Lane | 10 | 56.5kg | 58 |
| 11 | 670 | STRATUM STAR | Rick Hore-Lacy | Craig Newitt | 11 | 56.5kg | 63 |
| 12 | 7 | THE SPITFIRE | David Hayes | Craig Williams | 1 | 56.5kg | – |
