Caulfield Cup hope Jon Snow will race second-up on Saturday extending out to a mile at Flemington Racecourse in the 2017 Makybe Diva Stakes.
ATC Derby winner Jon Snow races second-up in Saturday’s Makybe Diva Stakes 2017 at Flemington. Photo: Steve Hart.
The Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman-trained entire is best known for his outstanding Sydney autumn campaign in Australia, the Kiwi going back-to-back with wins in the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) and Group 1 ATC Derby (2400m) in the wet.
The now four-year-old son of Iffraaj resumed at Caulfield on September 2 finishing a credible sixth just over three lengths off the winner Vega Magic as a $61 outsider in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m).
That was his first run in the Melbourne and he is back on Saturday heading to another Victorian track for the Group 1 $750,000 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m).
The extra metres will suit Jon Snow who is nominated for all the upcoming majors including the Group 1 $3 million Caulfield Cup (2400m) back over a mile and a half on October 21.
“Jon Snow has come through his Memsie run well and we just need to get the miles into his legs now,” co-trainer Baker, who won the Caulfield Cup with Mongolian Khan in 2015, told the NZ Racing Desk this week.
“He showed plenty of dash and fought nicely all the way to the line in tight quarters which was pleasing.
“He will go to the Makybe Diva at Flemington on Saturday where we would like to see a similar performance from him.”
Futures Caulfield Cup odds at Ladbrokes.com.au are led by the Godolphin-raced Hartnell ($7) and Jon Snow’s stablemate Bonneval ($9) who put herself in contention with a resuming win in the Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes at Moonee Valley over the weekend.
Jon Snow is at $17 in all-in Caulfield Cup betting, and is at a similar price pre-field Makybe Diva Stakes odds for this weekend.
Hartnell is the $1.80 favourite for the win after his barnstorming success first-up in the Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m).
Black Heart Bart and Le Romain are the $8 dangers, while Jon Snow is rated a $15 hope by the bookmakers.
Hartnell will be out to retain his Caulfield Cup favouritism in the race as SA Hall of Fame inductee Kerrin McEvoy replaces Craig Williams in the saddle.
Black Heart Bart is one of three expected Makybe Diva Stakes runners for trainer Darren Weir along with Humidor and Gailo Chop.
Also expected to line-up in the field is Queensland Horse of the Year Yankee Rose.
David Vandyke’s four-year-old All American mare suffered an early spring setback running ninth in the Memsie Stakes after losing a plate and pulling up lame.
She has been treated since for a bruised heel and is reportedly on track for a return to form.
Check out the early Caulfield Cup 2017 odds and those for the Makybe Diva Stakes this Saturday in Melbourne online now at Ladbrokes.com.au.
