2024 Queensland Guineas Field & Betting Update on Derby Lead-Up
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Melbourne Cup winning trainer Mark Kavanagh has welcomed back into work his lightly raced colt Chivalry ahead of their 2014 Caulfield Guineas campaign this Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.
Street Cry two-year-old Chivalry has had four starts to date for one win at Moonee Valley back in December, and is back in work at Flemington after a four month let-up.
“He’s just come back from the farm, he’s done some work out there and he’s just come in to Flemington now,” Kavanagh told Racing Victoria.
“He’s just trotting and cantering and doing a bit of conditioning work.
“He’s pretty easy on the eye looking at him right now.
“He was a two-year-old head in a three-year-old body during the autumn which is not an uncommon thing.”
Chivalry has twice been tested at Group level including a third to Rubick when running on well late in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) in early February from a wide barrier 14 of 16 draw.
They drew better for their big acid test then last time out on February 22 jumping from gate five in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m).
There was no speed early on in the classic though and they were forced back to dead last, still right at the back on the turn home.
While they made up good ground late they could still only manage to finish four lengths away eighth to the Blue Diamond winner Earthquake.
Their run there, and in the Prelude, suggested the $280,000 yearling buy from the 2013 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sales would be better suited over more distance.
Kavanagh then plans to give them that extra ground coming preparation where they’ll be aimed at the $1 million Group 1 BECK Caulfield Guineas (1600m), held at Caulfield Racecourse, on October 11.
How they head towards their Caulfield Guineas target though will be up to the track conditions and where Kavanagh can get them a run on dry ground.
“It’s been dry so far this winter but last year the wet weather came in July and we really got behind with our horses,” he said.
“He’s on track at the moment but when he steps out will just be determined by the weather.”
Futures Caulfield Guineas odds are open now online at Ladbrokes.com.au and are led by the Gai Waterhouse-trained Almalad, winner of the Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm on June 7.
Chivalry has then been elevated to second spot in the pre-nomination Caulfield Guineas betting markets paying $11 equal with the Tony Gollan-trained JJ Atkins third placegetter Looks Like The Cat.
Others high up the markets include the Chris Waller-trained JJ Atkins runner-up Brazen Beau ($12) and Meursault ($12) who won their race debut at Hawkesbury on May 3.
Stay tuned to Races.com.au for all the latest on the Caulfield Guineas and other Group 1 majors of the spring.
If you fancy an early punt on one of the features at the hottest all-in prices, then head to Ladbrokes.com.au where punters also get instant access to their winnings in cash with the exclusive Ladbrokes Card!
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