The 2016 Australia Stakes is a potential option for Tudor after he led from start to finish to take out the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Tudor led from start to finish to take out the 2016 Chester Manifold Stakes at Flemington on Saturday. Photo by: Ultimate Racing Photos
There was little betting support for Tudor in the lead-up to the Chester Manifold Stakes, but he led from start to finish thanks to a perfectly-timed ride from veteran hoop Darren Gauci to record his first race win since he took out the Hill Plate (1200m) at Moonee Valley in September of 2014.
Tudor was given an opportunity in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley last year and he could finish no better than fifth behind Mourinho, It Is Written, Dissident and Smokin’ Joey, but trainer Doug Harrison believes that his star galloper had plenty of excuses and could go close in the Group 2 event with the right run in transit.
“We’ll see what takes place,” Harrison said.
“He ran in it last year as a three-year-old and got buffeted around by (winner) Mourinho and then he came out and ran second to It Is Written in a Listed race.
“He just wants that little bit of luck to go with him.”
Tudor was always expected to take up the running in the early stages of the Chester Manifold Stakes, but most punters did not think that the son of Strategic would get such an easy time of it in front.
Gauci admitted that he expected more pressure from his rivals in the Chester Manifold Stakes, but he did not want to take credit away from the toughness that the four-year-old showed in the final stages of the race.
“He gave a good kick on the turn and was strong to the line,” Gauci said.
“It’s good to see him back in form.
“I’ve ridden him three times now and every time he runs pretty well; blinkers off today and he settled a bit better once he was in front.
“That was a pretty tough race and I thought he had the job ahead of him but he’s done the job.”
The 2016 Australia Stakes nominations will be released this afternoon and Tudor is set to be joined by the likes of Emirates Stakes winner Hucklbuck, the resuming Rebel Dane, last year’s winner Mourinho, 2014 winner Richie’s Vibe, the in-form Durendal and provincial galloper Sirbible.
