TRAINERS & RIDERS TO FOLLOW IN THE SPRING

CAIRON MAHER & DAVID EUSTACE

The Maher/Eustace has won just about everything in the last few seasons but this year they look to have the best chance of taking out a Melbourne Cup.
Gold Trip (NZ) ran a slashing race when placed behind Durston (GB) in the Caulfield Cup. He looks perfect for the two miles at Flemington and sure to be a leading hope. The stable also has the old tried and true stayers in Le Don De Vie (GB), Persan and Great House (IRE) who should again be competitive in the big race.

ANNABEL NEASHAM

 

This time last year Annabel Neasham was full of anticipation leading into the spring with her star gelding Zaaki but on the morning of Cox Plate Day she had to scratch the favourite and the dream was shattered.
Twelve months later she lines up with a three pronged attack in the Cox Plate with Zaaki, Mo’unga and Laws Of Indices giving her a strong hand in the weight-for-age Championship of Australasia.
Not only does she look to have a strong hand at The Valley but she also looks to have a couple of live chances leading into the Melbourne Cup with import Numerian (IRE) and Kiwi Regal Lion (NZ) leading the way for the stable.

JAMES CUMMINGS

What hasn’t James Cummings and Godolphin won this season. The have been dominating the early Melbourne Spring and with Anamoe the logical favourite in the W.S.Cox Plate they can offer another big race win to their resume’.
The best Melbourne Cup prospect for the stable looks to be Alegron but he was only average in the Caulfield Cup and needs to improve to make his presence felt.
Looking at the minor races Godolphin will be at their dominant best and would pay for punters to follow.

JAMES MCDONALD

James McDonald put his stamp on an amazing Flemington Spring Carnival last season when he created all kinds of records including a Melbourne Cup victory on the mare Verry Elleegant (NZ).
He has some gun rides in the bigger races starting with the weight-for-age superstar in Anamoe in the W.S.Cox Plate and he will be sent out favourite. Probably his most interesting ride of the Spring will be when he joins the German gelding Loft in the Melbourne Cup. Lightly raced but record includes a USA Group 2 Belmont Gold Cup win and he looks an exciting prospect.