Exosphere Included In Darley Classic First Acceptances

Exosphere has been included in the 2015 Darley Classic first acceptances and the star three-year-old remains a chance to take on the older sprinters in the Group 1 event that will be held at Flemington on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Exosphere has recorded three wins from as many race starts during the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival. Photo by: Steve Hart

Exosphere has recorded three wins from as many race starts during the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival. Photo by: Steve Hart

Exosphere showed plenty of talent as a two-year-old and he won the Group 2 Skyline Stakes (1200m) in dominant fashion, but he has gone to another level in three impressive wins during the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival.

The Lonhro colt started his preparation with a fast-finishing victory in the Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on August 29 and he proved that win was no fluke when he ran away from his rivals to take out the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on September 12.

Exosphere dropped back to 1200 metres for the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 3, but that was no issue for the star colt and trainer John O’Shea revealed after the race that his new star would have his next race start in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day, but could back up in the Darley Classic a week later.

Exosphere may not be the only three-year-olds in the 2015 Darley Classic as Japonisme, Mogador and Sebring Sun remain in contention to run in the $1 million race.

Sebring Sun has not been seen at the races since he finished third in the Golden Rose Stakes, while Japonisme was beaten by Exosphere in both the Run To The Rose and the Roman Consul Stakes.

Mogador was narrowly denied a maiden stakes win in the Listed Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on October 14 and he is set to face Exosphere in the Coolmore Stud Stakes.

The Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) is always the major lead-up to the Darley Classic and that will be the case again in 2015.

Buffering, Alpha Miss, Chautauqua, Rebel Dane, Rich Enuff, Srikandi, Tiger Tees and Terravista are all set to clash in the Manikato Stakes this weekend and they all remain a chance of progressing towards the Darley Classic.

Ball Of Muscle, Boban, Bring Me The Maid, Churchill Dancer, Delectation, Generalife, Flamberge, Knoydart, Lumosty, Under The Louvre and We’re Gonna Rock round out the 2015 Darley Classic first acceptances.

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.