The 2015 Let’s Elope Stakes field has been released and Team Hope are set to have three runners in the Group 2 event after including Fenway, Madam Gangster and Platinum Rocker in the acceptances.
Madam Gangster is one of three Team Hope-trained gallopers in the 2015 Let’s Elope Stakes field. Photo by: Adrienne Bicknell
Madam Gangster started her 2015 Spring Racing Carnival campaign with a very narrow win in the Group 3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on August 29 and she will face a very similar field on Saturday; with the likes of Hazard, Vezalay, May’s Dream and Cosmic Endeavour all set to go around again this weekend.
Platinum Rocker made her debut for the Hope stable with a second place finish behind Smokin’ Joey in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on July 25 and she will return to fillies and mares company following another second place finish behind Setinum in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on August 15.
Fenway has not been seen at the races since she finished second behind Delicacy in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville on May 2 and she is set to return to Flemington for the first time since she finished fourth behind Noble Protector in the Group 3 Schweppervescence Trophy (1600m) at Flemington on March 14.
Another stable that could have two runners in the 2015 Let’s Elope Stakes field is Team Hawkes, who have included both Maastricht and Sardaaj in the acceptances.
Maastricht finished a credible fourth behind Amicus in the Group 3 Toy Show Quality (1300m) at Royal Randwick on August 22 and he assured of a start in the Let’s Elope Stakes, but Sardaaj needs at least one scratching to be ensured of a start.
Sardaaj made her racing debut with an unlucky second place finish at Moonee Valley on August 22 and co-trainer Wayne Hawkes has been happy with the way that she has trained on ahead of the Let’s Elope Stakes.
“She has done everything right,” Hawkes said.
“She has trained on well and I’ve been really happy with her in the last two weeks, so it will be good to get her on a big track at Flemington and hopefully see her rip down the outside.
“She hasn’t changed, but she always works pretty good and does everything spot-on and it has been nothing more or nothing less in the past three or four weeks.”
Miss Rose De Lago, Amicus, Noble Protector, Loved Up, Tawteen, Precious Gem, Lady Cumquat, and Niminypiminy have also been included in the 2015 Let’s Elope Stakes field.
