Autumn Carnival weight for age star Contributer’s Spring Carnival program has been adjusted and the import will now have an extra lead up run in the build up to the Group 1 $3m William Hill Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 24.
Contributer will have his next run in the Underwood Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Steve Hart.
Contributer has done that well since his first up fifth to The Cleaner in the Group 2 $250,000 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on September 5 that trainer John O’Shea feels he will need two runs before the ‘Weight For Age Champioship’, not one as originally planned.
“It’s just a reflection on how well he’s doing in Melbourne and how much bigger he is this time in,” O’Shea said.
“He’s coping a lot better with his racing and his work – you just adapt to the horse.
“He peaked third-up last time but I think this time he’s just going to need that extra run to have him at his best.”
O’Shea had originally pencilled in the Group 1 $500,000 Yellowglen Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 4, but Contributer will now have his next start in the Group 1 $400,000 Hyland Race Colours Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on September 26.
O’Shea also added the Group 1 $400,000 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on October 10 to Contributer’s Spring Carnival program as his final lead up race before the Cox Plate.
Godolphin’s head trainer also slotted in a special gallop with local Cuban Gold for the English import in between races at today’s Bendigo meeting and was happy with the way he completed his 1400m workout.
“He’s done very well – we need to keep him ticking over, we need to get him to a weight we’re happy with and we’re still a long way off that,” O’Shea said.
“That’s why he’s come and had a nice day out.”
“He is still a very big in condition. We had the opportunity to bring him here and exert a bit of energy and have a nice gallop on a beautiful surface.
“He needs to run well in the Underwood in ten days time.”
Contributer is currently on the third line of betting at $13 for the Cox Plate at Ladbrokes.com.au alongside of English galloper Arod, Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Criterion and Chris Waller’s Queensland Oaks winner Winx.
Last week’s Makybe Diva Stakes victor Fawkner heads the market order at $10 ahead of Irish galloper Highland Reel and Kemardec at $11.
