Aeronautical Back To 1400 Metres In Chester Manifold Stakes

Aeronautical has been included in the 2015 Chester Manifold Stakes field and will be racing over a distance longer than 1200 metres for the first time since he finished at the tail of the field in the 2013 edition of the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m).

Aeronautical has the chance to return to winning form in the 2015 Chester Manifold Stakes at Flemington this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart

Aeronautical has the chance to return to winning form in the 2015 Chester Manifold Stakes at Flemington this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart

Aeronautical produced a number if impressive performances over 1400 metres as a younger horse, including a fourth place finish in the Listed South Pacific Classic (1400m) and a strong win in the Men Of League Central Coast Handicap in 2012, but disrupted preparations have meant that he has not got back up to the trip in the past 18 months.

Trainer Lionel Cohen told Racing Ahead this morning that he was thrilled to give Aeronautical another chance over 1400 metres in the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes at Flemington this weekend and believes that 1400 metres may be the best trip for the six-year-old at this stage of his racing career.

“I have accepted and he will run on Saturday,” Cohen said.

“We have wanted to get him up to 1400, but some of his preps have been a bit stop start and we have just never got there.

“I would like to see him a little bit closer.

“He won a 1400 last time back and he won it convincingly coming from three quarter way back and I think the tempo of a 1400 will suit him better.”

Aeronautical started his summer preparation with a sixth place finish in the Listed City Tatts Club Lightning (1100m) at Royal Randwick on October 18 and he made up ground late in the Listed Starlight Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on November 29 before the tempo of the race did not suit in the Group 3 Standish Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on New Year’s Day.

Cohen believes that Aeronautical took plenty of benefit from his run in the Chester Manifold Stakes and is happy with the condition of the Encosta De Lago heading into the Listed event this weekend.

“He came through it very well, he took his race well and I have been happy with him since,” Cohen said.

“Physically at the moment his weight is good and the last run bought him on a bit.

“I am happy with him at the moment.”

Aeronautical is chasing his first win at Listed level since he scored a narrow win over Heart Testa in the 2013 edition of the Listed Razor Sharp Handicap (1150m).

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.