Vilanova Heads Valley Entries

The $80,000 Super Vobis Three-year-old Handicap over the 2040m Cox Plate journey has attracted a classy list of entries, and with $50,000 of Super VOBIS and VOBIS Gold and $100,000 of Inglis bonuses on offer it’s not hard to see why.

Chris Waller’s Group 2 Autumn Classic (1800m) winner Vilanova headlines the list of 32 nominations, with the three year-old son of Commands aiming to attest for his disappointing sixth in the Group Two Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) last time out.

Derby aspirants Cadillac Mountain and Honey Steel’s Gold are also nominated after finishing second and seventh respectively in the Alister Clark.

The sixth race on the program, a $100,000 BM90 Handicap over 2500m has drawn a strong field of nominations, with the Darren Weir-trained Signoff among the top rated entrants.

A winner of five of his six starts, Signoff has gone from strength to strength this campaign, highlighted by a five length victory last time out at Bendigo.

Part owner Gerry Ryan has set the Listed Bendigo Cup (2400m) as a long range goal for the son of Authorized, who races in the same colours as another Bendigo Cup winner Puissance De Lune.

Warrnambool Cup winner Banca Mo heads 39 entries in the  $100,000 Open Handicap over 1600m.

Nominated to have his second run since returning from surgery to remove bone chips from his off hind hock, the Tasmanian trained galloper put in a phenomenal return to racing last time out in the Listed Super Saturday Handicap(1400m) at Flemington.

Also nominated for the 1600m feature are the Wez Hunter trained Bel Thor, International Group Two winner Prairie Star, and the Ciaron Maher trained stayer Moudre.

The seventh race on the program, an $80,000 Mares Handicap over 1000m has also drawn an impressive line-up, headed by the Robert Smerdon trained Shamal Wind.

Freshened up after a close-up seventh in the Group One Oakleigh Plate, the dual black-type winning mare will no doubt make her presence felt should she be amongst the acceptances come Saturday.

The Peter Moody trained Angels Beach will be attempting three wins in a row in the $80,000 feature, however will be met by strong opposition from a number of nominations, including Group 3 Cockram Stakes winner Octavia and dual black-type winner Lady of Harrods.

– Racing Victoria

 

Share this article