Melbourne’s leading trainer Peter Moody and stable rider Luke Nolan are looking to attack the record books again with King’s Rose in the Group 1 $1m Lexus Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday.
No trainer or jockey have won the Newmarket in three successive years but a win in this year’s with King’s Rose would add to their victories with Wanted in 2010 and super mare Black Caviar last year.
Back to back Newmarket wins has been achieved ten times by trainers including three times by champion trainer Bart Cummings while seven jockeys have completed successive wins.
King’s Rose hasn’t raced since the last day of the Melbourne Cup carnival last year when second to Albert The Fat in the Group 1 $1m Emirates Stakes (1600m) and is going into the Newmarket with a fifty per cent first up record.
Moody is quietly confident he has King’s Rose ready to be in the finish and points to her first up win in the Group 2 Memsie Stakes over Heart Of Dreams and Rekindled Interest as a good indicator.
“You need a good 1400m horse to win the Newmarket and she won first-up over the distance last preparation,” he said.
“If she runs up to that form, she will be in the firing line. The only time she has been out of a place since she joined the stable last year was in the Cox Plate, and Luke (Nolen) openly admits he stuffed up in that race.
“I would have rather drawn outside but I think with 54.5kg she is a chance.”
King’s Rose has drawn barrier three in a field of twenty three and the pattern of racing on the day will determine if the leaders go to the inside or the outside and come down the middle.
The Redoute’s Choice mare is currently $21 and with only 54.5kgs is four kilos below top weight Hay List who heads the betting at $3.70.
After the Newmarket King’s Rose will head to Sydney for the Group 1 $600,000 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill on March 24 and the Group 1 $400,000 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on April 7 before heading to Royal Ascot in England.
She will join up with stable mate Black Caviar in Europe with the Group 1 ₤250,000 Queen Anne Stakes (1600m) on the first day of Royal Ascot on June 19 a likely target.
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy has declared himself fit to ride at the Newmarket-Australian Cup meeting at Flemington.
McEvoy had to give up his rides at Wyong yesterday after a fall at the barrier trials at Rosehill on Tuesday but was cleared of any serious injuries.
Darley’s number one rider will partner $21 chance Beaded in the Newmarket Handicap and the Bart Cummings trained Illo ($8.50) in the Australian Cup.
