David Pfieffer included Cradle Me, One Direction and Inside Job in the 2014 Starlight Stakes nominations that were released yesterday, but he revealed this morning that Cradle Me is set to be his sole representative in the Listed event at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Cradle Me will have the chance to return to winning form in the 2014 Starlight Stakes at Rosehill Gardens this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart
Cradle Me started her 2014 Spring Racing Carnival campaign with a second place finish behind the talented The Messina Nymph in the Listed Alinghi Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on October 8 and was far from disgraced when fifth behind Vain Queen in the Group 3 Mumm Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on Crown Oaks Day.
The Easy Rocking mare will be returning to the 1100 metres course at Rosehill Gardens for the first time since she took out the Primo Smallgoods Handicap (1100m) on July 19 and Pfieffer told Racing Ahead that he is hoping that six-year-old can maintain her excellent record over the track and distance in the Starlight Stakes this weekend.
“At this stage Cradle Me will be accepted and Sam Clipperton has been booked to ride,” Pfieffer said.
“She loves that 1100 metres at Rosehill and on nominations there looks like there will be plenty of hot speed.
“It looks like a very open race and it will be interesting to see who turns up on the day.
“She is going well; she had two runs in Melbourne during the Carnival and I thought both runs were pretty good and last preparation she had a near flawless prep being very competitive over that 1100 at Rosehill.
“Hopefully she can bring some of that form with her on Saturday.”
18 horses were included in the 2014 Starlight Stakes nominations and the Listed event is set to draw a quality field after a number of talented gallopers were included in the initial entries.
Aeronautical failed to fire in the Listed City Tatts Club Lightning (1100m) at Royal Randwick on October 18, but is set to carry the top weight in the Starlight Stakes, while Dothraki will be taking winning form into the race after he took out the Whyte & Gilmour Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on November 15.
Other notable horses in the Starlight Stakes nominations included consistent gelding Diamond Oasis, Mumm Stakes placegetter Lilliburlero, Team Hawkes-trained Our Boy Malachi, the resuming Ready To Rip, talented mare Shamalia, former Hong Kong galloper Straight Gold and veteran gelding Senta De Noche.
