Darren Weir duo still in Caufield Cup hunt

Lake Sententia and Ava’s Delight were yesterday among 98 first acceptors, as well as the Cox Plate with stablemate Puissance de Lune.

The Dan O’Sullivan-trained Tuscan Fire is the other Ballarat-trained stayer still targeting the Caulfield Cup, 2400m, on Saturday, October 19. Lake Sententia has not raced since winning back-to-back races at Morphetville and Moonee Valley in May-June this year.

The six-year-old has won six of 12 starts, including the listed Centaurea Stakes, 2009m, in Adelaide.

Ava’s Delight is another lightly raced mare. The four-year-old is a four-time winner in 15 starts. She resumed with a third to stablemate Bec Said No Credit at Caulfield on August 31, and is nominated for the group 2 $220,000 W.H. Stocks Stakes, 1600m, at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Tuscan Fire continued his path towards the Caulfield Cup with a creditable run in the group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes, 1600m, at Flemington on Saturday.

In his first outing in group 1 company, Tuscan Fire raced not far off the pace before being out-sprinted in the closing stages to finish 11th – within five lengths of winner Foreteller. O

ther Ballarat first acceptors for spring feature races include:

CAULFIELD GUINEAS on October 12:

Michael Kent*: Pyrrolic

Patrick Payne*: Late Charge

Robert Smerdon*: Hill Spy

Tony Vasil*: Duran, Prince Harada, The Bowler

Darren Weir: Trust In A Gust

THOUSAND GUINEAS on Wednesday, October 16:

Mick Kent*: Godiva Rock, Marianne, The Huntress, Scratchy Bottom

Robert Smerdon*: Politeness, Every Faith, Go Again

Tony Vasil*: Celeritas

Darren Weir: Springalon, Scarlet Billows, Street Allure, May’s Dream