Instrumentalist Included In Winter Stakes Nominations

The 2015 Winter Stakes nominations have been released and imported stayer Instrumentalist is a chance of making his long-awaited return to racing in the Listed event at Rosehill Gardens this weekend.

Instrumentalist recorded a thrilling victory over Travolta in the 2014 edition of the Mornington Cup. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Instrumentalist recorded a thrilling victory over Travolta in the 2014 edition of the Mornington Cup. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Instrumentalist made his Australian racing debut in April of 2013 after being acquired by Chris Waller and he recorded two victories from six starts in his first preparation down under.

The Amadeus Wolf gelding performed well without winning at the start of his summer campaign in October of 2013 and he took out the Tile Importer Handicap (2400m) at Caulfield on January 25 of 2014 and he beat the likes of Prince Of Penzance and He’s Your Man to take out the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) on February 12.

Instrumentalist received a ballot-free entry into the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) for winning the Mornington Cup, but the missed the entire 2014 Spring Racing Carnival and did not make a public appearance until he finished at the tail of the field in a barrier trial over 900 metres at Rosehill Gardens on June 9.

Another talented galloper that is a chance to return to racing in the 2015 Winter Stakes is Gai Waterhouse-trained Spurtonic.

Spurtonic started his summer campaign with an upset win in the Magic Millions Cup (1400m) at the Gold Coast on January 10, but he was unable to replicate that sort of form and he was sent to the spelling paddock after failing to fire in the Listed Carrington Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on January 24, the Group 3 Carlyon Cup (1600m) at Caulfield on February 14 and the Listed Mornington Cup Prelude (2000m) at Caulfield on February 28.

The rising six-year-old has been given three barrier trials since he has returned to full-time training and he finished seventh behind stablemate Mardi at Warwick Farm on June 29.

John Thompson-trained Canny Ballad has also been given a couple of barrier trial starts and is another Stakes level performer that could contest the 2015 Winter Stakes this weekend.

Canny Ballad was sent to the spelling paddock after he missed the placings in both the Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on February 14 and the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) at Warwick Farm a fortnight later, but he has since trialed well on two occasion at Warwick Farm on June 29 and July 10.

Diametric, Haussmann, Keepit To Yourself, Liberty’s Choice, Noela’s Choice, Refer, Royal Island, Rugged Cross, See The World, Two Blue, Wouldn’t It Be Nice and You’ll Never have also been included in the 2015 Winter Stakes nominations.

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.