Talented three-year-old Gallatin is likely to back-up last weekend’s stunning victory in the Group 2 Nathan Berry Tulloch Stakes (2000m) with a maiden appearance at Group 1 level in the ATC Australian Derby (2400m) at Royal Randwick this weekend.
Gallatin burst into Australian Derby contention with victory in the Group 2 Nathan Berry Tulloch Stakes last weekend. Photo: Steve Hart
Impressing Peter Snowden with a strong turn of foot to finish half a length in the clear of Singing Flame and Best Case at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, the leading trainer confirmed the week ahead will make the final decision on whether or not Gallatin will make an appearance in this weekend’s feature race.
“That’s going to be the barometer for me; how he eats and he goes through the week” Snowden told TVN following the Tulloch Stakes triumph.
“It poured at Randwick earlier today (Sunday) so it looks like it is going to be a wet track and that won’t hurt this bloke.
“He got through it yesterday like it was nothing.
“With the prospect of another wet, you would have to give it serious consideration.”
Debuting on track with an unlucky run for third amongst a classy field in the Become An ATC Sponsor Handicap (1250m) in April 2013, Gallatin returned to the track in competitive form over spring, following up a maiden victory in the Champion Casino Prince Plate (1600m) with a strong run for third behind Surge Ahead and Pompeius in the Listed Connoisseur Stakes (1800m) on November 7th.
Finishing a somewhat disappoint sixth in the 2014 ATC Membership On Sale Maiden (1400m) first-up this preparation, the talented Street Cry gelding has steadily built to the task at hand; running third in the Umina Bunnies RLFC Handicap (1600m) and fifth behind Singing Flame in the TAB Quaddie Maiden (1800m) prior to his Tulloch Stakes victory; his first tilt at a group level event.
Set to line up for undoubtedly his biggest test to date on Saturday, Gallatin is likely to be joined by the like of in-form stayers Criterion, Puccini, Lucia Valentina and Thunder Fantasy in the 2014 Australian Derby.
Figuring on day one of the Inaugural The Championships at Royal Randwick this weekend, the 2014 ATC Australian Derby will share an impressive race card with three other Group 1 events; the T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m), ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) and major Doncaster Mile (1600m).
