Godolphin’s number one hoop James McDonald is confident that Furnaces will prove extremely hard to beat when he lines up for the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Furnaces will contest the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday. Photo: Steve Hart
Furnaces has been a strong and consistent performer throughout his entire racing career so far, and returned this time for a close second behind Wild Rain in the Group McEwen Stakes (1000m) last month; beating home a number of standout sprinters including Heatherly.
McDonald told Racing Ahead that he was thrilled with the form displayed by the four-year-old in a Warwick Farm barrier trial on September 23rd and he believes that the horse will make his own luck on pace in the Schillaci Stakes 2016.
“Outstanding form, this horse,” McDonald said.
“He gave me a great feel at the trials the other week with blinkers on.
“He’s a very fast galloper who makes his own luck, a bit like Chetwood up on the speed. He’ll take some catching, I’ll bet.”
Furnaces immediately stamped himself as a colt to follow upon debuting to racing for a classy win in the Primo Moraitis Plate (1100m) in late 2014, and made a commendable transition to black type company upon resuming in 2015 for second behind stable mate Haptic in the Listed Lonhro Plate (1100m).
Running second in the Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m) before a credible run for sixth in the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m), Furnaces broke through for a maiden black type victory in the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes (1100m) during The Championships.
Appearing for a hit-and-run third in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) behind Group 1 winners Chautauqua and Flamberge in spring, the Exceed And Excel entire resumed this year for an impressive win in the Hawkesbury Gold Rush (1100m), but was returned to the paddock after fading for fifth in the Listed Ortensia Stakes (1100m) on May 14th.
Furnaces has been charged with carrying 58.5kgs in the Schillaci Stakes and will leave from the ideal 5.
Ladbrokes Australia is currently offering Furnaces at 2016 Schillaci Stakes odds of $14.
