Defending Lough Neagh Stakes winner Zero Rock has been allocated the 58kg topweight of the nominees as she prepares to defend her title in the Doomben Summer Series feature on Saturday.
Zero Rock has been allocated the 58kg topweight for the 2011 Lough Neagh Stakes on Saturday
One of 17 early entries for the $200,000 Listed Lough Neagh Stakes (1350m) this year, the Kelso Wood-trained Danzero mare rises three kilos on the 55kg Zero Rock carried to victory in the race 12 months ago.
The now six-year-old looks on track to rise to the occasion, however, after winning the Listed Travel Associates Classic (1200m) for the second year on the trot first-up on December 3.
For her last-start victory Zero Rock was ridden by ace hoop Chris Munce on 57.5kg, so only goes up a half kilo on Saturday.
“She’s got a task with that weight on her back but a good barrier will help,” Wood said.
The next heaviest-weighted of the 2011 Lough Neagh Stakes hopefuls is then Poor Judge on 57.5kg, Wayne Nugent’s Toowoomba galloper coming off a disappointing dead-last finish to Listen Son in the Listed Keith Noud Quality (1200m) at Eagle Farm on November 26.
Five of the remaining 17 Lough Neagh Stakes nominees are weighted above the 53kg minimum should they accept for Saturday’s showdown.
The Darryl Hansen-trained Essington, third in the Keith Noud first-up before their disappointing 11th to Adebisi in the Group 3 George Moore Stakes (1200m) at Doomben on a Slow (7) track last-start, and Tony Gollan’s Keith Noud winner Listen Son have been allocated 57kg.
Next is the now Gillian Heinrich-trained Startsmeup (56kg) who ran fifth in the George Moore in their first run for Heinrich, while George Moore winner Adebisi and Bryan Guy’s Gold Coast galloper Shuffle The Cash then follow on 55kg.
The 2011 Lough Neagh Stakes final field is due to be released on Wednesday, with Races.com.au to publish the full list of acceptances and barriers.
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2011 Lough Neagh Stakes Weights & Ballot
Doomben – 24/12/2011
| # | Horse | Trainer | Ballot | Weight | Hcp. Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ZERO ROCK | Kelso Wood | 1 | 58kg | 106 |
| 2 | POOR JUDGE | Wayne Nugent | 2 | 57.5kg | 101 |
| 3 | ESSINGTON | Darryl Hansen | 3= | 57kg | 100 |
| 4 | LISTEN SON | Tony Gollan | 3= | 57kg | 100 |
| 5 | STARTSMEUP | Gillian Heinrich | 5 | 56kg | 98 |
| 6 | ADEBISI | Desleigh Forster | 6= | 55kg | 96 |
| 7 | SHUFFLE THE CASH | Bryan Guy | 6= | 55kg | 96 |
| 8 | CELTIC DANCER | Noel J Doyle | 14 | 53kg | 86 |
| 9 | EXCELLANTES | Robert Heathcote | 8 | 53kg | 92 |
| 10 | FANGLES | Stephen Jones | 9= | 53kg | 91 |
| 11 | HAVATRYST | Barry Baldwin | 12= | 53kg | 88 |
| 12 | JAZZ HEART | Bryan Guy | 12= | 53kg | 88 |
| 13 | MOSSRIVER | David Murphy | 15= | 53kg | 83 |
| 14 | MY DESTINY | Con Karakatsanis | 17 | 53kg | 82 |
| 15 | READY TO RIP | Andrew Williamson | 11 | 53kg | 89.5 |
| 16 | SPIRIT OF BOOM | Tony Gollan | 9= | 53kg | 91 |
| 17 | STEEL ZIP | Pat Duff | 15= | 53kg | 83 |
