Chase The Rainbow Set To Return To The Races In Doveton Stakes

Injury-plagued Chase The Rainbow is set to make his return to racing at Caulfield on Saturday; with the Group 2 winner included in the nominations for the Listed Doveton Stakes (1000m).

Chase The Rainbow will make his first race day appearance in almost sixteen months when he contests the Doveton Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.

Chase The Rainbow will make his first race day appearance in almost sixteen months when he contests the Doveton Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Chase The Rainbow has not been seen at the races since his dominant victory in the National Jockeys’ Celebration Day Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on September 1 last year; with the talented entire struggling with a number of issues including tendon problems, foot injuries and a cracked shoulder.

Trainer Rick Hore-Lacy has patiently nursed Chase The Rainbow back to full fitness and the son of Dash For Cash proved he was ready to return to the races by finishing second behind Gig in a barrier trial over 990 metres at Cranbourne on November 12 before winning a trial in by an impressive three lengths at the same track and distance last Monday.

Hore-Lacy said last week that it has been very disappointed having such a talented horse away from the races for an extended period but believes that he finally has the five-year-old injury free and has named the Group 1 Doncaster Handicap (1600m) as the ultimate target for the 2011 Stutt Stakes winner.

Chase The Rainbow will have to win a number of races to have any chance of qualifying for the Doncaster Handicap but will likely face a stiff test first-up over 1000 metres in the Doveton Stakes this weekend after 20 horses were included in the nominations for the event.

Another talented horse set to return to the races in the Doveton Stakes is Mick Price-trained mare Loveyamadly who has not been seen at the races since she finished eighth behind Kulgrinda in the Group 3 Irwin Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville in April.

Loveyamadly recorded four wins from six starts in what was a stellar autumn campaign and her only defeats came when she was stepped up to Group 3 level; finishing a narrow second behind There’s Only One in the Group 3 Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) before her Irwin Stakes defeat.

Price could have up to three runners in the Doveton Stakes, with Halle Rocks and Vicario also included in the nominations, while Robbie Griffiths (Prettyhappyaboutit and Flash Doubt) is the only other trainer who could have multiple runners in the race.

Other interesting Doveton Stakes nominees include: the consistent Sumakaray, Anthony Freedman-trained Rescue Mission, Listed winner Planet Voyage, Byron Cozamanis-trained Vatican and nine-year-old gelding Zedi Knight.

About The Author

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.