Famous Seamus Included In George Moore Stakes Nominations

Consistent sprinter Famous Seamus is set to return to racing in Queensland after being included in the nominations for the Group 3 George Moore Stakes (1200m) that will be held at Doomben on Saturday.

Famous Seamus was one of a number of talented sprinters that were included in the nominations for the George Moore Stakes.

Famous Seamus was one of a number of talented sprinters that were included in the nominations for the George Moore Stakes. Photo by: Daniel Costello

Famous Seamus raced on four occasions in Queensland during the 2013 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival, winning the Listed Hinkler Handicap (1200m) and Listed Prime Minister’s Cup (1300m) before failing to fire in the Group 3 BRC Sprint (1350m) and Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m), but has done all his racing in Sydney and Melbourne this preparation.

The Elusive City gelding started his 2013 Spring Racing Carnival campaign with an unlucky sixth place finish behind Sessions in the Group 2 The Shorts (1100m) and finished third in the Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) before returning to the winners stall in the Listed Lightning Handicap (1100m) at Royal Randwick.

Trainer Noel Mayfield-Smith brought Famous Seamus to Melbourne for the Group 3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Zipping Classic Day and the five-year-old worked home strongly to finish third behind the talented Lankan Rupee.

Famous Seamus has plenty of talent but will need to be at his best to record his first ever victory at Group level; with the George Moore Stakes set to have a capacity field of sixteen runners after 24 horses were included in the nominations for the $200,000 race.

The Listed Keith Noud Handicap (1200m) is generally considered the key lead-up race to the George Moore Stakes and that trend has continued this year; with the majority of the field from the Listed event set to back up at Doomben this weekend.

Keith Noud Handicap winner Better Than Ready has been sent to the spelling paddock and will not contest the George Moore Stakes but runner-up Benny’s Buttons, third placegetter Morning Captain as well as Pat Duff-trained Steel Zip, Sydney Spring Carnival flop Someday, experienced gelding Audacious Spirit, Golden Slipper winner Phelan Ready, Matthew Dunn-trained Qfighter and last start flop Firebolt all included in the nominations for the Group 3 event.

Alinghi Stakes winner Liesele failed to fire on a heavy track in the Listed Travel Associates Classic (1200m) at Doomben on Saturday but is a chance to back-up in the George Moore Stakes as is Doubtfilly who returned to a semblance of her best form in the same race.

The George Moore Stakes is the highlight of the Brisbane Summer Sprint Series and has been won by talented sprinters like Chief De Beers (1994 and 1997), Takeover Target (2005), Natural Destiny (2006) and Adebisi (2011).

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.