Caulfield Cup aspirant Brambles nominated for David Jones Cup

Premierships winning trainer Peter Moody has nominated his Caulfield Cup aspirant Brambles for the Group 3 $150,000 David Jones Cup (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Brambles heads the nominations for the David Jones Cup at Caulfield. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

Brambles heads the nominations for the David Jones Cup at Caulfield. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

The in-form Brambles is one of twenty-nine horses nominated for the David Jones Cup and Moody will use the 2000m Handicap as a back up to keep the six year old primed for races later in the Spring Carnival if he missed the cut in the Caulfield Cup.

Brambles is a borderline case of making the field for the Group 1 $3m Crown Golden Ale Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday and will need several horses above him in the order of entry to pull out during the week if he is to make the final eighteen horse field.

A run in the Caulfield Cup could see Brambles head towards the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 4, but if he fails to make the final field the 2012 Queensland Derby winner could head to the Group 1 $1m Longines Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Derby day.

Brambles’ stablemate Lidari is also sweating on a run in the Caulfield Cup and both stayers wouldn’t be out of place after running second (Lidari) and third (Brambles) to Caulfield Cup favourite Lucia Valentina in the Group 1 $500,000 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 4.

“If they don’t get a run, Brambles will run in the Coongy (David Jones Cup) and Lidari will run in the Geelong Cup,” Moody told the Herald Sun.

“If Brambles misses a run in the Caulfield Cup I would probably not worry about the Melbourne Cup. I would probably go to the Mackinnon after the Coongy. Of course, if he does sneak in, it’s a whole different ball game.”

Moody has done an outstanding job with Brambles who spent almost two years on the sidelines because of a tendon injury after winning the 2012 Group 1 $500,000 Channel Seven Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm.

Brambles was back in the winner’s stall in a 1700m Handicap at Flemington on September 13 for the first time since winning the Queensland Derby before running third in the Turnbull Stakes.

Brambles was only beaten three lengths when eighth to Star Rolling in the Group 2 $200,000 Back To Caulfield P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 16  before running an improved race to finish second to Stipulate in the Listed $120,000 Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock Stakes (170m) at Caulfield on August 30 before winning at Flemington.

Moody has also nominated the improving Kenjorwood, a winner of three of his last four starts, including a last start Caulfield win over Commanding Time and Extra Zero who are both also entered for the David Jones Cup.

As well as Extra Zero, David Hayes and Tom Dabernig has nominated Jacquinot Bay and Stipulate who will probably get a spot in the Caulfield Cup field.

Caulfield trainer Ciaron Maher has nominated Akavoroun for the David Jones Cup and the five year old will be stepping up in distance after an eye catching fourth to Trust In A Gust in the Group 1 $400,000 David Jones NBCF Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield last Saturday.

Darren Weir has nominated Signoff after the five year old finished second to Big Memory in the Group 2 $200,000 Sportingbet Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield last Saturday and trainer Peter Gelagotis has entered Mourinho following his all the way win in the Listed $200,000 TAB Cranbourne Cup (2025m) at Cranbourne last Sunday.

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.