Carriages heads Calaway Gal Stakes nominations

Gai Waterhouse’s top Magic Millions 2yo Classic hopeful Carriages heads the nominations for the Listed $100,000 Calaway Gal Stakes (1010m) at Doomben on Saturday.

Eagle Farm trainer Liam Birchley has nominated three fillies for the Calaway Gal Stakes at Doomben. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Eagle Farm trainer Liam Birchley has nominated three fillies for the Calaway Gal Stakes at Doomben. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Carriages is one of sixteen fillies nominated for the two year old Plate and looks the class runner after leading all of the way to win the $200,000 Magic Millions Clockwise Classic (1000m) at Ballarat on November 24.

The Hinchinbrook filly returned to Waterhouse’s Tulloch Lodge after her trip to Ballarat and stable foreman Mark Newnham has reported that she has done well back in her home surroundings.

“She’s just had a pretty easy time of it since she’s been back,” Newnham told Racing Network.

“Her weight is back to her normal racing weight. She’s good.”

The Calaway Gal Stakes will probably be Carriages only Queensland lead up run to the $2m BMW Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 10 with Newnham saying the filly could have a barrier trial or a jump out if the stable thought that she needed it.

“She’s already qualified and she isn’t a filly that needs a lot of racing,” Newnham said.

“If needed she could always have a trial or jumpout.”

Only four of the remaining entrants have visited the winner’s circle with the Ross Coveney trained filly Sweet Retreat winning twice, taking out a 870m Toowoomba maiden on October 11 followed by win over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast on November 20.

Gold Coast filly St Remy won on debut for trainer Noel Doyle over 900m on her home track on November 29 while Brisbane’s leading trainer Tony Gollan took Supersay to Toowoomba for a win over 1050m on November 22.

And Danny Bougoure’s Snitzel filly Flamenco Girl scored a half a length win over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast on November 2.

In form trainer Liam Birchley has nominated three for the Calaway Gal Stakes, Captain Sonador filly Sailor Gerri who has had one run for a sixth over 1050m at Doomben on November 19 and first starters Sugar Hit by Big Brown and Sequalo filly Flamenco.

While top Sydney trainer Gerald Ryan has entered Exceed And Excel filly Heavenly Hand to make her race debut at Doomben.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.