Sun Racing September Stakes, a Group 3 race over 2400m

I can't find a direct link, but you can watch the race on this page: https://www.racingtv.com/news/royal...ptember-success. It was a bunch finish with Prince of Arran across the line in 3rd (1.75L) and Mountain Hunter in 5th (2.25L). They both were ahead of last year's Caulfield Cup winner Best Solution (7th 2.75L) who was in his first race since 2018's Melbourne Cup. They all carried 59.5kg over the Synthetic surface.


Longchamp it's the Group 3 Prix Gladiateur, with Haky contesting the 3100m Group 3.

Called To The Bar was the odds-on favourite and triumphed accordingly, winning by 2 lengths easing. OTI Racing's Melbourne Cup nominee Haky certainly gave them something to chase though, leading the field for much of the race and by a large margin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RH_ep9VXlPg. He still finished in 2nd place, a further 2 lengths in front of Boulevard.

According to OTI they anticipated him receiving 51.5kg though hope his strong showing here will bump up his handicap more - they reckon he'd need 53kg to be sure of making the field. The plan now is to have him on the first shipment of horses and look to qualify him locally (not to mention: deal with his poor first up record). Either the Herbert Power Stakes on October 12th or the Caulfield Cup on October 19th being the target.

His previous race, his first at Group level, was a third placing 3.75L behind Marmelo in the 3000m Prix de Kergolay. Each of them carried 59kg and you'd anticipate them having different handicaps for the Cup. No fear of him getting the distance either: he's had 4 starts at 3000m or more for 1 win and 3 placings. It looks like he'll push the race along at a very genuine tempo if he makes the final field.


Weights should be out tomorrow (per the Feature Race Conditions: Handicaps will be declared not later than TUESDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 2019; so technically they could come out earlier, but not likely).