The Danny Bougoure trained Longport will begin an ambitious Sydney Autumn Carnival when she steps out in the Group 2 $175,000 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
Longport to kick off Autumn campaign in the Millie Fox Stakes. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
Bougoure has ear marked the Group 1 $600,000 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill on March 22 as the man Autumn goal for the Casino Prince mare and is hoping she will be at her best at her second run back from a Summer break.
“If you look at her second-up record it’s pretty good and the Coolmore is her primary target,” Bougoure told AAP.
“We can only do what we think is right and if it pays off it will be fantastic.”
Brisbane’s leading rider Michael Cahill will be aboard Longport in the Millie Fox Stakes but premiership winning jockey Nash Rawiller will takeover in the Coolmore Classic.
Rawiller was aboard Longport when she won at her second start for Bougoure at Flemington in a 1400m Handicap over the Melbourne Cup Carnival and the top Sydney rider has been booked for the Coolmore Classic ride.
“Nash has been booked for the Coolmore although things can change. You know what it’s like these days,” Bougoure said.
Rawiller will be riding odds on favourite Red Tracer in thee Millie Fox Stakes but did get a feel of Longport in a gallop on the Randwick course proper during the week.
“She’s not an outstanding track worker but she probably went as good as she can go,” Bougoure said.
Rawiller has forged a great association with the Chris Waller trained mare and has won seven from eight rides including two at Group 1 level, the 500,000 Sky Racing Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm during last year’s Brisbane Winter Carnival and the $500,000 Myer Classic (1600m) at Flemington in the Spring.
Red Tracer has a tremendous reputation as a great wet tracker and won last year’s Mill Fox Stakes on a heavy track.
The Rosehill track is currently rated a dead 5 with showers forecast for the Sydney area for Friday and Saturday.
The Ladbrokes.com.au market order for the Millie Fox Stakes has Red Tracer the short priced favourite at $1.70 ahead of stablemate Royal Descent at $4.40 and Peter Moody’s last start Caulfield winner A Time For Julia at $6.50.
Gai Waterhouse will saddle up $9.50 chance Driefontein, who is coming off a sixth to Catkins in the Group 2 $175,000 NSW Thoroughbred Breeders Classic (1200m) at Rosehill on February 15, while Longport has been posted an $11 chance.
