Gingernuts’ Caulfield Cup campaign goes up another gear

Tom Walter - Wednesday September 20

Leading Caulfield Cup hope Gingernuts is set to start favourite in Saturday's Group I Windsor Park Plate (1600m) at Hastings as he looks to join an honour roll that includes champion New Zealanders Jimmy Choux and Mufhasa.

Advertisement
Gingernuts wins the 2017 Group I Rosehill Guineas. Photo: Steve Hart

Gingernuts, winner of the Group I NZ Derby (2400m) and Group I Rosehill Guineas (2000m) last season, returned to racing as a four-year-old when finishing an eye-catching fifth in the Group I Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings on September 4.

The Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards-trained gelding rounded out his preparations for Saturday in a track gallop at Matamata on Tuesday morning.

Partnered by regular rider Opie Bosson, Gingernuts worked in company with stablemate Chance To Dance, clocking 39.2 seconds for the final 600m in heavy going.

Gingernuts is likely to remain in his homeland for his next two starts before crossing the Tasman Sea for the $3 million Group I Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 21.

The chestnut's final lead-up to Caulfield is set to be the Group I Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings on October 7.

Advertisment
More Reading...
First SW for Anders – Daytona Diva Wins Listed Strutt Stakes
The $125,000 Listed Strutt Stakes (2020m) in Hobart on Sunday was expected to be won by the visiting Henry Dwyer trained filly Aurora Rise, but the favourite was no match for locally trained Anders filly Daytona Diva.
$300,000 Too Darn Hot Filly to Waterhouse Bott Stable
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable have already had success this season for Kurrinda Bloodstock with brilliant 2YO filly Shiki, who won the Group III ATC Gimcrack Stakes and they teamed up again for another filly by her sire Too Darn Hot (GB) at Inglis Classic on Sunday.
People At Classic - Day One Selling
Day One of Inglis Classic was a good one which made for happy sellers and Maree McEwan was out speaking to them.
Lucky Vega 3YO Wins $350,000 Karapiro Classic
Progressive three-year-old That’s Gold never left the inside rail as he stormed home to collect his richest career win in the Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic (1600m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Miss Jones Keeps Winning for Trelawney Stud
Trelawney Stud’s Australian import Miss Jones continued her faultless New Zealand form at Te Rapa on Saturday when extending her unbeaten sequence to four following her victory in the Horses & Henley Park 1200.
Well Bred Long Shot Mare Wins G3 Hobart Cup
The $250,000 Group III Ladbrokes Hobart Cup (2400m) was the headline event on a champagne day of racing in Tasmania on Sunday and the winner was an interesting one from the breeding perspective being a 30-1 long shot mare with a commercial pedigree.
$400,000 Hellbent Colt Sold by Riverstone Lodge
It’s often said yearling buyers drill for oil where they have found it before and that rang true when BK Racing purchased a colt by Hellbent for $400,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale on Sunday.
$300,000 for Zousain Half-Brother to Private Harry
Southern Highlands based farm Rheinwood Pastoral have produced and sold two Group I winners in the past 12 months in Libertad and Private Harry, whose half-brother by Zousain sold at Inglis Classic on Sunday for $300,000.
Sanniya Wins G3 Mystic Journey Stakes for Star Thoroughbreds
Star Thoroughbreds have had a  hot run of success over the Tasmanian summer carnival and while prolific winner Durazzo had to settle for second in the Listed Thomas Lyons Stakes to Victorian raider Steparty, three year-old filly Sanniya captured the Group III Mystic Journey Stakes (1200m) in Hobart on Sunday.
Playing God Stakes Quinella – MM Perth Update
Western Australia’s champion sire Playing God achieved a notable career milestone on Saturday when his son Almighty Class notched up a quarter century of stakes winners for the remarkable stallion, posting a commanding victory in the Listed Cyril Flower Stakes.