.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
ANDREW Payne drew a long straw last year when he nominated Bachelor Royal for the 2013 Melbourne Cup. Royal did not get there.
His campaign pulled up well short, having just the one run for the spring at Flemington in early September.
The six-year-old is close to returning to winning form in list company at Sandown Hillside on Saturday – the Harry White Classic, 2400m.
Bachelor Royal has been second in two of his latest three starts, including his last-start over 2040m, at Moonee Valley on August 23.
The line-up features Melbourne Cup and The Metropolitan nominations such as Masked Marvel, Caravan Rolls On, Mulaqen and Unchain My Heart.
ARCHIE Alexander provided one of the news stories of the week.
New to training ranks in his own right, the Ballarat-based Alexander produced his first winner with Tyanna ($13) in a benchmark64, 1209m, at Seymour on Thursday.
The five-year-old mare was having just her second start for Alexander, she followed up a first-up third at Donald.
Tyanna, which was previously trained by Robbie Griffiths, is a daughter of Adelaide Cup winner Lacey Underall, which was a grand performer for Ballarat’s Dan O’Sullivan.’
Alexander has had just the five starters.
Darren Weir’s up-and=coming Now And Zen (winner of his past starts) is also engaged.
BIG watch on Trust In A Gust in the group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Charity Cup, 1400m, at Caulfield on Sunday.
Been racing really well, but this is a massive step up against young champ Dissident, Sweet Idea and the likes.
DARREN Weir is sitting second on the national trainers’ premiership table on 39 – seven behind Peter Moody – as he attempts to defend his title.
What Weir is leading though is the number of seconds.
He has had 41 runner-ups, plus two deadheats
AQUANITA Racing, which has an arm of its operation in Ballarat with Robert Smerdon’s satellite stable, has had a bright start to the season.
The Caulfield-based stable has 29 wins in Victoria - 21 for Smerdon and eight for John Sadler.
BEST FROM BALLARAT
SANCTUARY (trained by Anthony Cosgriff) - third in his past three starts and set to round out the jumping season on a high in a steeplechase at Coleraine on Sunday.
SYLVAN POWER (Barry and Glen James): first-up in a benhmark64 at Coleraine on Sunday. Won first-up last preparation.
BANK NOTES (Barry and Glen James); should improve on first-up third for stable when goes around in a benchmark 70 at Coleraine on Sunday.
MANNATRUST (Darren Weir): promising type. Engaged in a benchmark64, 1200m, at Mornington on Tuesday.