Decircles recorded the biggest win of his racing career when he took out the Group 3 Standish Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on New Year’s Day and the gelding could have the chance to record another win at black type level on Saturday after being included in the 2015 Chester Manifold Stakes nominations.
Decircles has been included in the 2015 Chester Manifold Stakes nominations. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Decircles made a slow start to his summer campaign, finishing 11th in the Listed MSS Security Sprint (1200m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day and eighth in The Lola’s Gift Handicap (1400m) at the same venue on December 13, but returned to winning form with an impressive victory in the Standish Handicap.
The son of Encosta De Lago is set to face a very similar field in the Chester Manifold Stakes and Standish Handicap competitors Lord Of The Sky, Reparations, Mister Milton, Aeronautical and Future Solution are all a chance to running in the Listed event this weekend.
One of the most interesting horses in the Chester Manifold Stakes nominations is Decircles, who has not raced at black type level since he finished eighth behind Ichihara in the Listed Gosford Guineas (1200m) on April 21.
Red Excitement finished his summer campaign last year with successive wins Gardenia Handicap (1400m), February Handicap (1400m) and Eatability Handicap (1600m) and he returned to racing with an all the way victory over Burbero and You’ll Never in the Drummond Golf Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on December 20.
John Macmillan-trained Boristar is another interstate-based galloper that could make the trip to Victoria for the Chester Manifold Stakes after he was included in the nominations.
Boristar was given a small break at the end of his spring campaign, which was highlighted by wins in the Gawler Cup (1500m) and the Just Over’ Don’t Drive Handicap (1400m), and he returned to racing with an impressive victory in the Listed Xmas Handicap (1400m) at Morphettville on Boxing Day.
If Boristar is included in the Chester Manifold Stakes field he will have the opportunity to score his first race win in Melbourne after he finished a close second behind Éclair Big Bang in the Emirates Airline Handicap (1400m) at Flemington on Emirates Stakes Day.
The 2015 Chester Manifold Stakes nominations are rounded out by Darren Weir-trained Anlon, the resuming Dany The Fox, Pins gelding Floatmyboat, Christmas Stakes winner Go The Knuckle, Symon Wilde-trained Mannopoly, Mornington-based Petrify, Search Squad, last starter winner Tried And Tired and David Hayes-trained Whisper Downs.
