A capacity field of 13 runners has been confirmed to line up at Moonee Valley Racecourse this weekend to contest the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m), highlighted by several exciting prospects for the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival.

Kencella has been confirmed in the final field for the 2014 Carlyon Stakes. Photo: Steve Hart

Confirmed for his first race start since transferring from the guidance of now-Godolphin trainer John O’Shea, Kencella will jump from the ideal barrier 3 in the 2014 Carlyon Stakes.

Securing an impressive total of six wins and two minor places from just 10 competitive race starts so far, Kencella returned to racing in exceptional over his most recent preparation through late spring/summer/autumn, winning each of his first two starts and continuing to build in form and class on his way to an exceptional victory in the Group 3 Maurice McCarten Stakes (1100m) on March 22^nd.

Now under the care of leading trainer Chris Waller, Kencella has reportedly taken well to his return to work and is in great condition leading into the Carlyon Stakes.

Contesting two Group 1 races over four starts through autumn, talented mare Shamal Wind has also been confirmed in the final field for the 2014 Carlyon Stakes.

Winning the Listed Adams Stakes (1000m) with relative ease first-up on February 1^st, the Dubawi mare finished off the pace of the world’s leading sprinter Lankan Rupee in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) on February 22^nd, but returned to the winner’s circle when taking out the Braybook Handicap (1000m) by two lengths on April 5^th.

Finishing a credible fifth in the Group 1 Robert Sangster Classic (1200m) last time out on April 26^th, trainer Robert Smerdon has been pleased with Shamal Wind’s building form in the lead-up to her racing return this weekend, and is confident Craig Williams will get the best from his entrant this weekend.

Trainer Anthony Cummings is offered an excellent chance of success in the 2014 Carlyon Stakes, having accepted a position in the final field for resuming mare Villa Verde.

Securing a strong total of three wins and as many minor places from just 13 competitive starts so far, Villa Verde was a notable performer over the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival; finishing second in the Nine West Plate (1000m) first-up and fourth in both the Blue Sapphire (1200m) and Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) most notably.

Returning in 2014 with a strong win in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes ahead of several Group 1 champions, the Not A Single Doubt mare finished third in the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) on March 29^th, and while unable to find top gear in the Group 1 T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m) on April 12^th, returned to notable form when fourth in the Robert Sangster last time out.

Steadily building to the task over two starts this time in, African Pulse is an excellent chance of scoring an upset victory over a largely resuming group in the 2014 Carlyon Stakes, despite drawing the wide and relatively awkward barrier 12.

Finishing a credible fifth in the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) first-up on July 5^th, the Johannesburg gelding ran on to finish third in the United Refrigeration Handicap (1000m) last time out, beating a good number of his confirmed opponents for the 2014 Carlyon Stakes.

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2014 Carlyon Stakes Final Field and Barrier Draw