Trainer David Brideoake is confident that Thames Court will step up to stable star status, when the rising four-year-old returns to racing during the forthcoming 2016 Spring Carnival.
Thames Court is David Brideoake’s leading chance of stakes success this spring. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Thames Court has more than stamped herself as a filly to follow through a short but impressive racing career so far; notching up three wins and two minors from only seven starts, highlighted by a strong win in the Group 3 Alexandra Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on March 24th.
Having seen off star mare Griante to the breeding barn following her most recent preparation, Brideoake told AAP he believes it is Thames Court that is the most likely to step up and fill the void left by the Group 1 winner through the upon Spring Carnival.
“Thames Court, she’s Group II placed and a Group 3 winner. She’s the best opportunity we have for the spring I would say,” Brideoake said.
“She’s back in work and just starting to tick along a little bit now, I would expect Thames Court to get to some good mares races through the spring.
“I would envisage a mare like her to probably have an ultimate target of the Myer Classic. A mile race for mares at Flemington, she should be really, really well placed I’d say.”
Trialling well in the lead-up to her competitive debut, Thames Court immediately stamped herself as a filly to follow when taking out the Sale Cup October 25 Maiden Plate (1200m) by three lengths at Pakenham in early spring 2015.
Progressing to third in the MRC Foundation Plate (1400m), the daughter of Commands placed a credible fifth in the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) before ending her maiden campaign third in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Fillies Classic (1600m) on October 24th.
Resuming this year for success in the City Jeep Cherokee BM64 (1200m) on March 14th, Thames Court followed up her dominant win in the Alexandra Stakes with a lacklustre run in the Listed Laelia Stakes (1600m) on April 9th and was subsequently returned to the paddock.
