Robert Hickmott-trained Sea Moon will make his first-up appearance for 2014 in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m), having been included in the final field for this weekend’s Race 8 at Flemington.
Sea Moon will contest the 2014 Blamey Stakes first-up. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia
Having started his racing career in the care of leading British trainer Sir Michael Stoute, Sea Moon was arguably one of the kingdom’s most consistent horses from late 2010 through 2012; claiming five wins and two places from only nine starts.
After being touted as ‘one to watch’ over the 2013 spring, Sea Moon was unable to live up to the hype created by stable mate Green Moon in 2012 and despite claiming the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m), closed his campaign a disappointing 13th behind Fiorente in the Melbourne Cup.
Hickmott has been happy with the way the talented Beat Hollow entire has returned to work in 2014, and is confident of first-up success in the Blamey Stakes, particularly after drawing the ideal barrier 5.
Also included in the final field for the 2014 Blamey Stakes is resurgent six-year-old Sertorius (barrier 2).
Having amassed nine wins from 26 competitive starts since debuting in May 2010, Sertorius was arguably one of the most consistent performers of the 2013 spring, following up two seconds with victory in the Listed Bendigo Cup (2400m) and closing his campaign with a classy two-length win over Epingle and Queenstown in the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m).
Sertorius has returned to the track in 2014 in scintillating form, and was unlucky to run second behind Moment Of Change in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) first-up on February 22nd.
Trainer Jamie Edwards has outlined the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) as the major target for the talented Galileo gelding this preparation, with a long view to the 2014 Melbourne Cup in November.
Peter Moody-trained Lidari (barrier 7) will also line up for the 2014 Blamey Stakes, following a less-than ideal run for seventh in the Futurity Stakes first-up.
Having also started his career overseas, Lidari managed five wins from eleven starts in his native France before being transferred to the care of Moody’s Caulfield Stables.
Despite being so-far unable to make much of an impact in Australian events, Moody is sure the Acclamation entire will perform in 2014, and outlined the Doncaster Mile (1600m) and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) as major targets for his current preparation.
A total of 10 runners have accepted to line up for the 2014 Group 2 Blamey Stakes at Flemington this weekend.
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2014 Blamey Stakes Final Field and Barrier Draw
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5x8x00210x | SEA MOON (GB) | Robert Hickmott | Steven Arnold | 5 | 59kg | 112 |
| 2 | 2x622121x2 | SERTORIUS | Jamie Edwards & Bruce Elkington | Ryan Maloney | 2 | 59kg | 105 |
| 3 | 16488×2111 | SWEET AS BRO (NZ) | Leon Corstens | Michael Rodd | 9 | 58kg | 91 |
| 4 | 60x49618x0 | HVASSTAN | Peter Gelagotis | Craig Newitt | 4 | 57kg | 97 |
| 5 | x674039316 | ANGOLA | Pat Carey | Rhys McLeod | 6 | 56kg | 83 |
| 6 | 1x24111x75 | DESERT JEUNEY | Nigel Blackiston | Chad Schofield | 1 | 56kg | 92 |
| 7 | 2x71039x85 | CLEAR FOR ACTION | Jim Conlan | Mark Zahra | 10 | 55kg | 92 |
| 8 | 8x225x13x7 | LIDARI (FR) | Peter G Moody | Luke Nolen | 7 | 55kg | 102 |
| 9 | x2323x2x0x | STIPULATE (GB) | David Hayes | Glen Boss | 3 | 55kg | 101 |
| 10 | 1x25x1 | FOUNDRY (IRE) | Robert Hickmott | Craig Williams | 8 | 55kg | 99 |
