Gai Waterhouse-trained Melbourne Cup contender Fiorente has arrived in Melbourne ahead of his first-up run in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday August 31.
Fiorente will begin his 2013 Spring Racing Carnival campaign in the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield next Saturday. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Fiorente has been the standout performer in the early season barrier trials in Sydney, flashing home late without being asked for an effort in his first trial hit out at Randwick on July 19 before finishing second behind classy stablemate Carlton House in a trial at the same venue on August 2nd.
Mark Newnham, foreman for the Waterhouse stable in Sydney, told Sky Racing HQ that Fiorente was set to begin his 2013 Spring Racing Carnival in the recently upgraded Memsie Stakes and said the preparation of the Monsun entire has been flawless thus far.
“He is going super,” Newnham said.
“His preparation has gone exactly according to plan so far, with the two trails, and he is enjoying being back in the stable.
“He is a lovely horse to do anything with, he is still a stallion but he has a great attitude.
“He is a lovely clear winded horse and that generally helps them over a trip.”
Fiorente joined the Waterhouse stable, after formerly being in the care of legendary British trainer Michael Stoute in Europe, just before the 2012 Melbourne Cup (3200m) and has impressed significantly with his two runs in Australia.
The five-year-old stormed home to finish second behind Green Moon in the Melbourne Cup and came from last at the final turn to run an eye-catching third over an unsuitable distance in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) in April during the 2013 Sydney Autumn Carnival.
Fiorente is aiming to become the first horse to win the Melbourne Cup after finishing second the year before since Empire Rose in 1988.
