Nominations for the 2014 Eliza Parks International Stakes were taken Tuesday morning, with 17 mares declaring for the race.
Gypsy Diamond leads the 2014 Eliza Parks International Stakes nominations. Photo by Steve Hart.
The Group 3 Eliza Parks International Stakes (1600m) is one of seven black type races taking place on Cox Plate Day at Moonee Valley Racecourse this Saturday.
Headlining the nominations is the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained Gypsy Diamond. The four-year-old had a successful autumn campaign, after winning the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) and finishing second in the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf (1600m) in April.
Her spring campaign on the other hand has been less than stellar, with two midfield finishes and two end of the field runs from her four starts. Weight-for-age events may be too hard for Gypsy Diamond, who returns to handicap racing on Saturday.
Gai Waterhouse’s Forever Loved is another leading nomination for the Eliza Parks International Stakes following a hit-and-miss spring campaign.
The mare began with a fourth in the Group 3 W.W. Cockram Stakes (1200m), missing out on a placing by just one length before failing to do anything in her run home in the Group 3 Sportingbet Sprint (1200m) a month later, finishing dead last.
She challenged hard and drew clear for a top win in the Group 2 Blazer Stakes (1400m) on October 4 before finishing 12th in the Group 3 Ladies Day Vase (1600m) last Wednesday, where she was declared lame after the race.
Tango’s Daughter is an in-form nomination following a fast-finishing third last time out in the Listed Hussler Stakes (1400m).
Luke Oliver is dually represented by Jessy Belle and Khutulun, who are both looking for their first success in black type racing, while Nigel Blackiston has entered two mares – Ladies Day Vase third Suavito and You’re So Good.
Darren Weir will be represented by Ava’s Delight while John O’Shea has nominated Terai to run.
Check out the full list of 2014 Eliza Parks International Stakes nominations below to get a full idea of the race card.
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2014 Eliza Parks International Stakes Nominations
| # | Horse | Trainer | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ALLELU | Sylvia Thompson | 62 |
| 2 | AVA’S DELIGHT | Darren Weir | 84 |
| 3 | FOREVER LOVED (NZ) | Gai Waterhouse | 96 |
| 4 | GOLD TO GO | Mark Riley | 72 |
| 5 | GYPSY DIAMOND | Peter & Paul Snowden | 98 |
| 6 | JESSY BELLE | Luke Oliver | 83 |
| 7 | KHUTULUN | Luke Oliver | 75 |
| 8 | LET’S BE A STAR | Jarrod McLean | 76 |
| 9 | NO EXCUSES BEC | Andrew Noblet | 77 |
| 10 | PRECIOUS GEM | Gwenda Johnstone | 75 |
| 11 | RECKLESS ASSASSIN | John Sadler | 85 |
| 12 | REFER | Heath Conners | 68 |
| 13 | SCRATCHY BOTTOM | Michael Kent | 78 |
| 14 | SUAVITO (NZ) | Nigel Blackiston | 87 |
| 15 | TANGO’S DAUGHTER | Mick Price | 95 |
| 16 | TERAI | John O’Shea | 74 |
| 17 | YOU’RE SO GOOD (NZ) | Nigel Blackiston | 88 |
