Glass Harmonium is set to target the 2012 Australian Cup before heading overseas for the Singapore Cup

A son of Irish sire Verglas, now six-year-old Glass Harmonium joined Moroney’s Victorian operation last winter racing in a handful of races during the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival.

Two minor placings, including a close third to Scenic Shot in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2020m), were then followed by the horse’s debut win down under in the Group 2 Eagle Farm Cup (2200m).

Glass Harmonium then ran second to Gai Waterhouse’s subsequent Caulfield Cup third placegetter Tullamore in the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2400m) before being sent for a 12-week spell.

Resuming for the spring in Melbourne, Glass Harmonium continued to race consistently at the highest level with one of their best performances being a nose away second to Mark Kavanagh’s one-time Melbourne Cup favourite December Draw in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m).

A valiant attempt at Cox Plate glory, when six and a half lengths away 10 to upset winner Pinker Pinker, was followed by Glass Harmonium breaking their Group 1 duck with a smart three-quarter length victory over Mourayan in the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Derby Day.

They were last seen finishing a disappointing 22^nd, beating home just one other runner when failing their distance test in the iconic Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 1.

Back in work, Glass Harmonium over the break underwent a throat operation to aid their breathing, which Moroney hopes will help them race even more competitively this coming autumn.

“We decided to have him scoped after the Melbourne Cup and it (the soft palate) wasn’t that bad but the operation was going to be worth it and correct the problem,” Moroney explained.

Having recovered well from the operation, Glass Harmonium is set to resume racing in the $200,000 Group 2 St George Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on February 25, Blue Diamond Stakes Day, before their 2012 Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival major task, $1 million Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 10.

“He has come through it really well and he will probably kick off in the St George Stakes at Caulfield and then go to the Australian Cup,” Moroney confirmed.

If all goes to plan Moroney could then race the stallion in Sydney’s $500,000 Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on April 28 before heading over to Singapore for the 2012 Singapore Airlines International Cup on May 20.

“He can run in the Queen Elizabeth then go to Singapore,” Moroney said.

“I did the same thing with Sarrera.”

Sarrera ran a close second in the 2009 Queen Elizabeth Stakes to Pompeii Ruler before their credible sixth in that year’s Singapore Cup, beaten six and a half lengths by winner Gloria De Campeao.

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Ironstein upstaged the well fancied Bauer over the 2600m trip to get up paying a huge $20 with online bookmaker Luxbet.

Ironstein has been a real mainstay of the provincial Cup’s circuit and came here today looking for his second Group 3 victory.

He won his first up in Brisbane earlier in the year and since then has been a model of consistency.,

The horse has had a hectic program and has been in work nearly the entire year but he showed today he can handle it and he thrives off racing.

Trainer Gerald Ryan explains just how good the horse has been to him.

” He’s been ticking over alright, ” he said.

“Over his last 19 starts he’s finished outside the first five twice.”

It’s an impressive record but still to actually get up and win today was a great effort, especially the way he did.

Ironstein hit the lead with 300m to go but form there only lengthened his margin.

He cut across Shootoff at about the 100m mark but it was of no relevance as he simply powered away from there to win by a space.

Shootoff was in second with Paddy O’reilly working home for third.

Bauer ended up finishing fourth after different riding tactics were used on him in this run.

While noted as a get back horse Bauer was pushed forward and sat in the first four, potentially sapping that closing kick we’ve become sued to in his last couple of runs.

There were no such issues for Brenton Avdulla on Ironstein.

“We’ve been quite confident with him all week….we had a perfect run in transit with him,” he said.

“It’s good to come back home and get another black type winner during the carnival.”

He says the horse is just a genuine trier and it’s a good win for him as he looks to build his own standing during the carnival.

“Hopefully 12 months time we’re back here and I can take out one of the features,” he said.

As for Ironstein, a future career over the hurdles could be an option.

“I’m sure he’s going to make a tremendous jumper,” he said.

On this performance though they’d surely be tempted to keep him on the flat for a while longer, especially given he only missed out on a Melbourne Cup start by two spots this year.

Ironstein paid $20 with Luxbet while Shootoff was worth $2.80 and Paddy O’reilly $4.70

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2011 Queen Elizabeth Stakes Results

The bonus is being offered by Racing Victoria to any horse whose connections paid the hefty final acceptance fee for the 2011 Melbourne Cup but was then balloted out of the $6 million showdown.

Bauer has their final career start on Emirates Stakes Day before retiring to be a clerk of the course horse in Australia

With the 2011 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, scheduled as Flemington Race 8 at 4:30pm (AEDT) on Saturday, offering $150,000 to the winner the first prize plus the bonus would give the horse total prize money equal to running fourth in the Melbourne Cup.

Of the five stayers eligible for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes bonus, the top fancy is Luca Cumani’s popular grey nine-year-old Bauer who was the hard luck story of the Melbourne Cup having missed out on a start by one position sitting 25^th on the order of entry at final acceptance stage.

Bauer, last seen running a brave third to subsequent Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden in the Geelong Cup on October 19, is currently the clear $2.30 Queen Elizabeth Stakes favourite at Luxbet.

Drawn in barrier five of the 14-horse field, Saturday will likely be the veteran’s final career start before they prepare for a permanent position as a Clerk of the Course horse in Australia.

“We’ll make a decision on his future after the race but, personally, I would love to see him win and then retire to become a clerk of the course,” OTI Racing director Terry Henderson said.

The remaining quartet of horses to challenge Bauer for the $100,000 bonus on Saturday are:

• Peter Moody’s Zabeel six-year-old Macedonian ($5.00 Luxbet) coming off a third to Niwot in The Lexus Stakes
• Gerald Ryan’s Sydney stayer Ironstein ($11 Luxbet) who ran fourth to The Verminator in The Metropolitan two starts back
• The John Steffert-trained Kiwi raider Back In Black ($41 Luxbet) last seen running sixth in the Bendigo Cup
• Ben Ahren’s Queensland visitor Spechenka ($41 Luxbet) coming off two disappointing seventh place finishes first in the Geelong Cup and then The Lexus stakes

Also racing in the Queen Elizabeth on Saturday is the fellow Cumani-trained Sahara Sun.

A former Chilean racehorse, Sahara Sun is also likely to make a permanent relocation to Australia to race on after the spring.

He joins a growing list of European raiders from Cumani’s stables to become end-of-career Aussies along with Manighar and Drunken Sailor.

Manighar, fifth in the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, is a possible rival to last year’s Melbourne Cup winner Americain in the $350,000 Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) at Sandown Saturday week, a race they finished third to Zipping in 12 months ago.

Peter Moody has been named as the trainer in mind for Manighar in Australia, while Michael Moroney will be behind the preparation of Drunken Sailor who finished 12^th in the Melbourne Cup this year.

“At the moment it’s probably 50-50 whether Manighar runs in the (Zipping) Classic,” Henderosn said.

“He’ll go to Peter Moody after that race, while Drunken Sailor will go to Mike Moroney.

“We’re yet to decide on a trainer for Sahara Sun.

“There’s not much point to them going back to England to race in handicaps, the money is better here and they have good options.”

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Bauer headlines the 2011 Queen Elizabeth Stakes field on Emirates Stakes Day

One of four Group races on a bumper Emirates Stakes Day program at Flemington on Saturday, the 2011 Queen Elizabeth Stakes field features 13 stayers lead by 2008 Melbourne Cup runner-up Bauer.

A crowd favourite, Bauer has had two luckless runs in Australia this season most recently finishing third to subsequent Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden in the Geelong Cup on October 19.

Bauer just missed their second shot at Melbourne Cup glory, having been defeated a nose by Viewed back in 2008 which was until yesterday the closest Melbourne Cup result in recent history, having sat 25^th on the order of entry at final acceptance stage.

In a bitter blow Bauer could have in fact gained a start on Tuesday were the race allowed emergencies as the Lloyd Williams-owned Mourayan was scratched on the morning of the Cup.

Cumani was still dually represented in the 2011 Melbourne Cup with Manighar finishing a brave fifth and Drunken Sailor further back in 12^th, both horses reported to have pulled through the ‘race that stops a nation’ in good order.

He will look to see the Melbourne Cup Carnival out on a high note with Bauer well positioned in barrier five for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, but a jockey to be confirmed as Damien Oliver serves a suspension.

Bauer will be joined by their stablemate Sahara Sun in the Queen Elizabeth, the horse that was withdrawn from Melbourne Cup calculations after their disappointing eighth in the Bendigo Cup.

Sahara Sun, former runner-up in the Chilean Derby, is due to jump from barrier 10 with Dwayne Dunn engaged.

Other Melbourne Cup rejects that will seek an Emirates Stakes Day victory on Saturday in the Queen Elizabeth include Peter Moody’s Zabeel gelding Macedonian who ran an eye-catching second to Niwot in The Lexus Stakes, the David Hayes-trained Tactic, Sydney raider Ironstein and Queensland visitor Anudjawun who ran third in the Lexus.

The full Queen Elizabeth Stakes field and barrier draw can be found below, the race due to jump at 4:30pm Melbourne time on Saturday.

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2011 Queen Elizabeth Stakes Field, Barriers & Weights

So You Think is unlikely to contest the 2011 Cox Plate

Formerly prepared in Australia by the legendary Bart Cummings, So You Think pleased his current trainer Aidan O’Brien with their fourth stakes victory from five attempts since joining the Irish horseman’s stables at the end of last year.

Backing up from their strong win over Workforce in the Group 1 Coral Eclipse Stakes (2018m) in July, So You Think, ridden by Seamie Heffernan, was again impressive in the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes (2000m) holding off a late challenge by the Ed Dunlop-trained Snow Fairy to win by half a length and join an honours list that includes his sire High Chaparral.

O’Brien was initially concerned that the 63 day break between runs may have taken its toll on So You Think, but the dual Cox Plate champion looked as fit as ever with their gutsy performance to salute as the 1-4 favourite.

“It’s a long time since he ran, we gave him a good break and we were a bit worried about that,” O’Brien said.

“We knew he’d be there to be shot at and Snow Fairy would stalk and that they would have her spot-on.

“He was very professional when she put it up to him.

“He’s getting more relaxed and mature and you could see that in the parade ring.”

Where to next for So You Think is still being negotiated, but a return down under for vie for a third successive win in the weight-for-age championship of Australasia, the $3 million Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 22 is looking less and less likely.

“We’ll discuss things during the week now as to where he’ll go next,” O’Brien said.

“There’s still concerns with quarantine and the training facilities there are not ideal for a big horse like him.

“He cruises through his races and all options are open to him.

“He is an incredible specimen of a thoroughbred.”

Owner John Magnier, Coolmore Racing’s head manager, confirmed that the 2011 Cox Plate was all but out of the equation.

“He’s the kind of horse that spoils you for choice,” Magnier said.

“A return Down Under is not imminent.”

Despite doubts O’Brien will pay up for So You Think at Cox Plate 2011 first declaration stage tomorrow, Luxbet futures betting has them as a $21 chance.

So You Think is more likely to target the iconic Prix De L’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) on October 3, for which they are the $4 favourite to win in ante-post odds, or take on the highly-rated Frankel at Ascot in either the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (1600m) or English Champion Stakes (2000m) next month.

The weight-for-age Breeders’ Cup (Turf) in the USA in November is also being considered, with So You Think’s versatility in regards to distance one of their “unusual” strengths according to O’Brien.

“He’s an unusual horse,” O’Brien said.

“He could come back to a mile or go (2000 metres).

“He has never tried (2400 metres) but with the big horse (Pour Moi) out of the Arc, that is a possibility – it leaves the door open.”

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My Kingdom Of Fife could be heading to Brisbane for the 2011 Doomben Cup

Rosehill based trainer Waller has named the $500,000 Group 1 Doomben Cup (2020m) on May 21 during the Brisbane Winter Carnival as a possible assignment for My Kingdom Of Fife.

After winning the Group 3 Doncaster Mile Prelude (1600m) at their Australian debut on April 9, My Kingdom Of Fife handled the heavy track conditions at Randwick with ease on Saturday scoring a tidy three-quarter length win over Doncaster Mile winner Sacred Choice in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).

The success of many of Waller’s imported stayers including My Kingdom Of Fife has Waller leading the Sydney trainers’ premiership this season.

Waller purchased My Kingdom Of Fife in a private sale for part owner Richard Pegum from the Queen’s stable, originally seeing the gelding as a Listed race winner at best.

“He was bought to win the Wagga Wagga Cup, but I doubt he goes to Wagga now,” Waller said.

The $140,000 Listed Wagga Wagga Gold Cup (2000m) is set to run on Friday May 6, but looks an unlikely aim for My Kingdom Of Fife who is now unbeaten in Australia and a winner at the highest-level here.

“The Hollindale and the Doomben Cup are more likely,” Waller said.

“He is a happy horse, there is something about our stable which is making him happy.

“He’s found the key to life again.”

The Group 2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) is a weight-for-age feature set to run at the Gold Coast on May 7 providing a nice lead-up race for the Doomben Cup.

Waller is confident My Kingdom Of Fife is a good shot at the Doomben Cup and he would know having won last year’s Doomben Cup with Metal Bender.

The trainer saw what he needed from Kingmambo six-year-old My Kingdom Of Fife on Sydney Cup Day to aim for back-to-back wins in the feature.

“He would certainly be hard to beat in a Doomben Cup,” Waller said.

Waller still chose to nominate My Kingdom Of Fife along with three other stablemates in Friday week’s Wagga Gold Cup.

Queen’s Cup runner-up Beijing Boy, Dansili four-year-old Foreteller and Flying Spur mare Vintedge coming off a third to Hawk Island in the JRA Plate are the other runners entered for the Wagga Cup from Waller’s stables.

“My Kingdom Of Fife and Vintedge would be the most likely two,” Waller’s racing manager Liam Prior said on Tuesday.

“It will all depend on the weights.”

The inclusion of My Kingdom Of Fife in the Wagga Gold Cup field, although unlikely, would be a massive boost to the two-day Wagga Cup Carnival.

“If he (My Kingdom Of Fife) doesn’t get too much weight then he’ll be a chance of going,” Prior said.

“But if he does then he’ll stay at home.

“Originally Wagga was the plan but he’s now come out and won a Group One.

“So the Doomben Cup is now a good race for him but whether we go to the Hollindale on our way there or the Wagga Cup will depend on the weights.”

My Kingdom Of Fife wins the Queen Elizabeth Stakes

After winning as a rank outsider in the Doncaster Mile Prelude on a rain affected Randwick track last start, My Kingdom Of Fife proved to be too strong on the Heavy 10 track today over the 2,000m distance.

The fourteen horse field saw a number of scratchings including Wall Street, Buccellati and Palacio De Cristal. Emergency runner Vision And Power also did not start.

Jockey Nash Rawiller had My Kingdom Of Fife travelling midfield before sitting behind the leaders into the top of the straight. Around the turn for home it was Retrieve who took the lead before the Chris Waller trained 6 year old My Kingdom Of Fife, previously owned by The Queen, pulled clear to win from Sacred Choice and Syreon in third. Retrieve managed to finish fourth.

While Australian punters have only seen My Kingdom Of Fife in two races there is talk of the him being an ideal Cox Plate horse in the Spring.

Pride is admittedly annoyed that his veteran galloper Vision And Power, winner of the 2009 Doncaster Mile – George Ryder Stakes double, missed the cut for the $500,000 Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick’s Sydney Cup Day on Easter Saturday.

Sacred Choice could be Joe Pride's sole Queen Elizabeth runner if first emergency Vision And Power misses a start

The rising nine-year-old is installed as the sole emergency and will only gain a start in the weight-for-age feature if one of the other 14 acceptors is scratched.

Although Vision And Power has failed to enter the winners circle since his Doncaster Mile success over two years ago, Pride believes the Carnegie gelding has shown recent good form to suggest he would be a competitive addition to the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

“I was surprised and I’m disappointed, the horse is ready to go,” Pride said.

“I just think it’s stupid rules that deny horses chances that when you look at a market, and I haven’t seen a market yet, but there’s five or six horses that there’s no way in the world they could beat him and he doesn’t get a run before them.

“If it was the Doncaster the week before he gets into the race ahead of three-quarters of the field and that’s done off the benchmark, so why have a benchmark?”

The Queen Elizabeth Stakes ballot conditions go off the average prize money per start earned for a horse’s past 10 runs and Vision And Power had the lowest figure of the 15 acceptors.

After a winning 1200m barrier trial at Warwick Farm in February, Vision And Power failed to impress in his first two runs this prep finishing dead last in both the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) and the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m).

He began to show improvement when just over a length away fifth to Older Than Time in the Listed Sky High Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill in March before finishing seventh to fellow Queen Elizabeth Stakes rival Syreon in the Group 3 Queen’s Cup (2000m) on Golden Slipper Day.

At his most recent start Vision And Power was two and a half lengths away fifth to Chris Waller’s upset winner My Kingdom Of Fife in the Group 3 Doncaster Mile Prelude (1600m), a credible result after overcoming a wide barrier draw.

“His lead-up run was super,” Pride said of Vision And Power’s performance in the Doncaster Mile Prelude.

“The wet track is the key, if he gets on a wet track there should be some scratching, but I can’t count on it.”

Vision And Power is rated a $26 chance of making the field and winning the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, markets lead by Peter Snowden’s $3.80 favourite Retrieve.

Pride will still be represented in the 2011 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, however, by five-year-old Choisir mare Sacred Choice who would also greatly advantage from a Heavy Randwick track on Saturday.

The known mudlark became a dual Group 1 winner last Saturday relishing the wet conditions to take control and race home two lengths clear of Love Conquers All in the Doncaster Mile at Randwick.

Sacred Choice’s previous Group 1 win, and last victory prior to the Doncaster, was in the 2010 Myer Classic where similar wet conditions saw her easily defeat the now-retired Typhoon Tracy by an emphatic four and a half lengths.

“I’m happy with her and we’re going to give her a go at this race on Saturday and then make some decisions after that,” Pride said.

Sacred Choice occupies the third line of Queen Elizabeth Stakes betting at $5.50.

Jockey Tim Clark, aboard for the Doncaster win, will again ride Sacred Choice seeking back-to-back Group 1 victories.

“She is obviously very well suited on heavy ground and she is very fit,” Clark said of Sacred Choice.

Although Sacred Choice is the more fancied of Pride’s pair, the trainer is backing an upset if Vision And Power gets in.

“I like him over her,” Pride said.

“I would never say he is better than when he won the Doncaster but he has been set for this race.

“We missed last week to have him right for the Queen Elizabeth and I just really like the look of him at the moment.”

Cedarberg is one of the favourites to win the Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Saturday

Carey opted to bypass the 3200m Sydney Cup in favour of running his improving Helenus gelding Cedarberg in the $500,000 Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday.

“Obviously he was nominated for the Sydney Cup as well and he was well-weighted in it,” Carey said.

“But we just think that two miles at the end of April just might jeopardise his spring preparations if he had a tough run there.

“Having won the BMW, it gives us latitude to make better decisions for him in the future…or what we think are better decisions anyway.

“He’s not under any pressure to qualify for any of the big races now.”

Worth the same in prize money as the Sydney Cup, the 2011 Queen Elizabeth Stakes will be contested over a shorter 2000m which should suit Cedarberg to a tee at this stage in his preparation.

The galloper, to be ridden by three-time Queen Elizabeth Stakes’ winning jockey Damien Oliver, has drawn wide with barrier 13 of the 14-starter plus one emergency Queen Elizabeth field.

While the barrier could be a concern, Cedarberg certainly boasts the ideal lead-up for a Queen Elizabeth Stakes win.

Last start on April 2 at Rosehill Cedarberg stormed home ahead of now Sydney Cup favourite Mourayan to win the Group 1 The BMW (2400m) in a major upset.

It was a nice improvement from the Flemington-trained stayer following their disappointing seventh in the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) in March.

Saturday will be only the second start at Randwick for Cedarberg, his only other run at the track being a seventh place finish in the 2010 Australian Derby to Queensland galloper Shoot Out.

Cedarberg has a daunting task ahead as he will need to follow in the hoof-steps of some of Australian racing’s all-time weight-for-age champions.

There have been 12 horses to take out The BMW – Queen Elizabeth Stakes double including Might And Power and Eremein.

While Carey isn’t suggesting Cedarberg is in quite the same league as these all stars, he is confident going into Saturday’s race with no stand out weight-for-age performers having emerged this season.

“I think it’s a year of opportunity for horses, particularly where Cedarberg’s at,” Carey said.

“There doesn’t seem to be a lot of weight-for-age horses around at the moment.”

Cedarberg is the current $5.50 third favourite in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes markets behind $3.50 top elect Retrieve and $5 second fancy Sacred Choice.

Peter Snowden’s quality Rahy colt Retrieve comes into the Queen Elizabeth off the back of a game second to star filly Shamrocker in the Group 1 AJC Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on April 9.

Drawn in barrier eight, Retrieve is well weighted with 55.5kg and is ideally suited to the 2000m having run second to Jimmy Choux over this distance in the Rosehill Guineas last month.

Meanwhile Joseph Pride’s Doncaster Mile winning mare Sacred Choice will be ridden by Tim Clark in the Queen Elizabeth as she seeks back-to-back Group 1 wins in just seven days.

Sacred Choice thrived in the muddy conditions at Randwick last weekend with her upset Doncaster Mile win and jockey Clark is hoping for another downpour before Saturday.

“I would take another day like last Saturday,” Clark said.

“She (Sacred Choice) is obviously very well suited on heavy ground and she is very fit.”

The Queen Elizabeth Stakes is one of four elite level features running for Sydney Cup Day this year.

2011 Hyland Race Colours Queen Elizabeth Stakes Final Field & Barrier Draw

Doncaster Mile winner Sacred Choice will back up this Saturday in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes

Five-year-old Choisir mare Sacred Choice added a second elite level win to her name on Saturday when the known mudlark relished the Heavy track conditions at Randwick to storm home in a dominant two length victory in the $2 million Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m).

Sacred Choice also thrived in the deluge at Flemington on Derby Day last spring when she won her first Group 1 beating home Typhoon Tracy and the late Hot Danish in the Myer Classic.

“I never ever thought she would win two Group 1s when she first came to the stable,” Pride said after Sacred Choice saluted in the Doncaster.

Now Pride has his fingers crossed Sacred Choice has another beautiful run in her for this Saturday’s $500,000 Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) on Sydney Cup Day.

“She has given me no reason this morning (Sunday) to think she shouldn’t be there (the Queen Elizabeth),” Pride said.

“She is bright, she had her head sticking out the box when I walked in there which is always a good sign.

“She is very bright in the eye, I will definitely be nominating for the race.

“It doesn’t look like it is going to be an overly strong Queen Elizabeth and I’ll also have Vision And Power in there.”

Sacred Choice was one of 23 gallopers nominated for the 2011 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, running as part of the ‘Group 1 Quaddie’ lighting up Easter Saturday at Randwick.

Pride has also entered his 2009 Doncaster Mile winner Vision And Power in the Queen Elizabeth this year.

“It has been a deliberate plan to wait for this race (with Vision And Power),” Pride said.

“I am not sure where the opposition is going to come from.”

Along with Sacred Choice other Doncaster Mile runners nominated to back up just seven days later in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes are Queen’s Cup winner Syreon (4^th), seven-year-old Dao Dao (12^th) and Kiwi galloper Wall Street (15^th).

Jockey Rod Quinn rates Syreon as a good horse that was unlucky in the Doncaster not to finish in the money.

“He ran a really good race,” Quinn said after the Doncaster.

“He just lost his footing around the home corner and it most probably cost him running second.

Syreon’s trainer Chris Waller has three other Queen Elizabeth nominees.

The other top chances from the Waller contingent are My Kingdom Of Fife, the British import storming onto the Australian racing scene with an upset win in the Group 3 Doncaster Mile Prelude (1600m) on April 9, and Hawk Island.

Six-year-old Hawk Island has been in career-best form this spring most recently winning the Listed JRA Plate (2000m) on Doncaster Day.

Waller also has Hawk Island entered for the Sydney Cup, run over 3200m, on Saturday at Randwick where the galloper is more likely to run.

“With all respect to the horses around at the moment, I don’t think there is a lot of good 2000m horses being aimed at this (the Queen Elizabeth), looking at the natural lead-ups so I’d like to think I’ll have two live chances there next week,” Pride said.

The 2011 Queen Elizabeth Stakes capacity final field of 14 starters will be released on Wednesday and published here first at Races.com.au.

2011 Queen Elizabeth Stakes Nominations