Two-time New Zealand Group 1 winner Historian will contest the Eagle Farm Cup during the 2014 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival if he performs well when he makes his Australian racing debut in the Group 3 Lord Mayor’s Cup (1600m) at Doomben on March 24.
James McDonald has been offered the ride on Historian in both the Eagle Farm Cup and the Lord Mayor's Cup during the 2014 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Historian started his preparation with a narrow win in the Group 3 Spring Sprint (1400m) at Hastings on October 5 last year and has had his runs spaced during what has been a successful campaign in New Zealand, which was highlighted by a win in the Group 1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day and a second place finish behind Silent Achiever in the Group 1 New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at the same venue on March 8.
Trainer Gary Alton told The Informant that Historian will arrive in Brisbane on Thursday and confirmed that the Lord Mayor’s Cup and the Group 2 Eagle Farm Cup (2200m) on May 31 were the two targets for the son of Choisir.
“It’s not ideal for him backing up a week later but they’re the only two suitable races for him,” Alton said.
“He’s well and fit and if he doesn’t go over there he would have to go out for a spell.
“It would be just too long to leave him out until the spring.
“He’s done a fair bit of swimming since then (his last start) and was back on the treadmill this morning.”
Historian has been plagued by tendon and feet issues throughout his racing career and now does almost all of his trainer on a water walker at Alton’s Cambridge stable.
The six-year-old will be based at Deagon during his stay in Brisbane for his winter campaign and Alton is delighted that the tough gelding will be able to train on the water walker of leading Queensland trainer Liam Birchley.
“We’ll be based out at Nudgee,” Alton said.
“That’s where Donna Logan has her horses and so does Wheels (John Wheeler).
“It sounds an ideal set-up and Liam Birchley has got a treadmill like ours that I can use.”
Historian will be joined in Queensland by stablemate Rockwell, who made his racing debut with a dominant four and a half lengths win in a maiden at Avondale last Friday.
Leading jockey James McDonald has been offered the rides on both Historian and Rockwell during their winter campaigns.
