Drop in grade will help Peacock’s chances in Autumn Stakes

A drop back in grade to three year old company will greatly help the chances of Peacock in the Group 2 $200,000 Hyland Race Colours Autumn Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Peacock, above, drops back to 3yo company in the Autumn Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Peacock, above, drops back to 3yo company in the Autumn Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Peacock has had one run back from a spell against the open class sprinters for a fifth to Malaguerra in the Group 2 $200,000 Browns Sawdust And Savings Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on January 27 which pleased trainer John O’Shea.

“He’s dropping back in grade from the Australia Stakes where I thought he ran very well,” O’Shea said.

The step back up to the 1400m will also be an advantage for Peacock who was a winner over the same course and distance as the Autumn Stakes when he was victorious in the Listed $120,000 Polytrack Gothic Stakes during the 2016 Melbourne Spring Carnival.

Peacock has drawn around the middle of the pack at barrier four in the eight horse Autumn Stakes field and jockey Craig Williams is happy to stick with the Lonhro colt.

“Craig (Williams) was very pleased with his run at the Valley and he’s drawn well here,” O’Shea said.

In a very open betting race at Ladbrokes.com.au with six of the eight runners in the Autumn Stakes under the $10 mark, Peacock is marked at $6.50 alongside of the Ciaron Maher trained Ruthven while Attention from the Team Snowden stable heads the market order at $4.20.

On the second line of betting at $4.60 is the Lindsay Park trained Snitzson just ahead of last start Flemington winner Knowable at $6.

Attention has drawn the outside barrier in the Autumn Stakes and will be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy who takes over from Blake Shin who was aboard the Stratum colt when he finished a first up fifth against the older horses in the Group 2 $200,000 Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on January 28.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.