NZ Bloodstock’s sponsorship at Caulfield continues on Saturday with the running of the Listed Ethereal Stakes (2000m).
It follows on from the highly successful NZB Spring Championship that concluded last weekend when champion mare Atlantic Jewel won the G1 Caulfield Stakes. This Saturday’s event is named in honour of NZ-bred champion Ethereal (Rhythm) who took out the2001 Caulfield Cup for Pencarrow Stud owners Peter and Philip Vela.
This year will see 12 fillies line up in the Ethereal Stakes, a traditional lead-up to the G1 VRC Oaks at Flemington on November 7. Top-weight Lady Lakshmi (Lonhro) is searching for her fourth win in 10 starts and has the services of leading jockey Dwayne Dunn.
Sydney trainer David Vandyke travels down with his well-credentialed filly Arabian Gold (Dubawi). Owned by Nick Moraitis, who won the 1997 Caulfield Cup with Might and Power (NZ), she has won four times and has been beaten by boom filly Guelph at her last two appearances.
The Mathew Ellerton-Simon Zahra trained Solicit (Street Cry) was last seen running third in the G2 Edward Manifold Stakes at Flemington. She comes into the race having won two races from four starts for Contract Racing owner David Moodie.
Star Fashion (Street Cry) was runner-up in the Edward Manifold. The David Hayes trained filly is still a maiden but has run second twice in black-type races and beat home Solicit last start. Hayes took out the 2012 Ethereal Stakes with talented filly Alzora and she went on to claim the G3 Vanity Stakes earlier this year.
The Robert Smerdon trained Every Faith (Not a Single Doubt) is another to come through the Edward Manifold. She finished midfield at Flemington but was only beaten just over two lengths.
Fourth in the Edward Manifold Stakes was Fantome Gris. It was an eye-catching run from the Sebring filly who was last at the 400m. The extra distance will suit.
Peter Moody has two runners engaged – Quest for Peace (Hard Spun) and Akagera (Northern Meteor) – for owner-breeder Stuart Ramsay.
The lightly tried Up the Ladder (Ready’s Image) has won and been placed twice from her three starts. She comes into the city for the first time to contest Saturday’s Listed event with leading jockey Michael Rodd aboard.
The Anthony Cummings trained Brewing (Purrealist) is also lightly-raced filly having won a maiden at Ballarat. Another last start Ballarat winner is Melaleuca (Stratum) for trainers Terry & Karina O’Sullivan.
Newhaven Stud owned Refer (Fastnet Rock) rounds out the field. She is trained by Clarry Conners and is held in high regard by her connections.
ETHEREAL (NZ)
Pencarrow Stud homebred won the Caulfield – Melbourne Cups double in 2001