Caulfield trainer Ciaron Maher still has Golden Slipper aspirations for his smart colt Jukebox who is among the nominations for the Group 2 $300,000 UNSW Todman Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Jukebox, above, is among the nominations for the Todman Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Jukebox was controversially scratched by Racing Victoria Stewards from the Group 1 $1.5m Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield last Saturday when they were not happy with his action when their vets inspected him on Friday afternoon.
The Snitzel colt was listed as an $8 chance at Ladbokes.com.au when he was taken out of the Blue Diamond Stakes field and Maher is hoping to get the colt cleared to run in the Todman Stakes and hopefully win it to qualify for the Group 1 $3.5m Longines Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on March 18.
Maher insisted that Jukebox presented as normal last Friday and disagreed with the stewards’ finding and will now ask them to came and watch him gallop in the morning hoping to get him passed fit to start in the Todman Stakes.
“That’s the idea of getting in contact today, and see if they can come watch him gallop … I think the horse is going really well,” Maher told RSN 927.
“If they [the stewards] can watch him gallop, that’ll satisfy them hopefully.
“I thought he was pretty similar [to what he always was], he’s always had some feet issues.
“He’s had glue-on shoes since he went to the breakers, and I thought he was similar.
“Anyway, those are the breaks.
“Hopefully we can get him spot on and move on towards the Golden Slipper maybe.”
Jukebox is now rated a $41 chance for the Golden Slipper at Ladbrokes.com.au after missing the run in the Blue Diamond Stakes and virtually has to win the Todman Stakes to qualify to run in the world’s richest race for two year olds.
Jukebox is the winner of his only two race start after scoring on debut in an 1100m Geelong 2yo Maiden before winning the Restricted Listed $250,000 Inglis Premier (1200m) at Caulfield on February 4.
Unfortunately the $137,500 first place cheque for the Inglis Premier doesn’t come into consideration for qualifying for the Golden Slipper which leaves Jukebox way down in the order of entry with only $12,650 in qualifying prizemoney from his Geelong Maiden win.
Julebox is one of sixteen colts and geldings nominated for the Todman Stakes with Gerald Ryan entering Magic Millions 2yo Classic runner up Chauffeur and Menari while trainer John O’Shea has nominated three youngsters, Marsupial, Trekking and Veranillo.
Last year’s Golden Slipper winning trainers Peter and Paul Snowden have nominated Gunnison, Invader and Khan for the Todman Stakes while Team Hawkes have entered Reflectivity and Showtime.
The Blue Diamond Stakes winning team of David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig have one entry in Muraaqeb who is currently a $17 chance for the Golden Slipper at Ladbrokes.com.au.
Early market order for the Golden Slipper at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3 She Will Reign, $8 Houtzen, Menari, $11 Catchy, Pariah, $15 Chauffeur, Veranillo, $17 Muraaqeb, Trekking, $21 Formality, From Within, Jorda, Limbo Soul, Madeenaty, $$26 or better the rest.
