Lord Of The Sky Draws Wide in Sir John Monash Stakes Field

Talented stallion Lord Of The Sky has returned to racing in career-best form this year, but will need luck in running if to return to the winner’s circle in Saturday’s Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield after being allocated the wide barrier 11.

2014 champion Lord Of The Sky has drawn barrier 11 for Saturday's Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia

2014 champion Lord Of The Sky has drawn barrier 11 for Saturday’s Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia

Posting a maiden black type win in the 2014 edition of the Monash Stakes, Lord Of The Sky ran second in each of the Listed Christmas Stakes (1200m) and Group 3 Standish Handicap (1200m) through summer, but failed to make anything of an impact when eleventh in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) on February 28th.

Boxing on for a credible fourth in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) on March 14th, the Danerich entire produced undoubtedly his most impressive to date in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) but was unlucky to be pipped on the line by Chautauqua.

Having since finished second in the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m), Lord Of The Sky has been confirmed to be partnered by Damien Oliver on Saturday and is in the right form for success.

The David Hayes and Tom Dabernig-trained Pago Rock has steadily built to the task this time in and is likely to receive the run of the race in the Sir John Monash Stakes from the rails draw.

Posting eleven wins and a further seven minors through his 42 career starts, Pago Rock was unable to match the late pace when twelfth in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) first-up on April 18th but almost responded in the best way possible when running second to Lumosty in the All Victorian Sprint Series Heat (1100m) on May 9th.

Having since finished a credible fifth in the Listed Straight Six (1200m) and fourth in the talent-rich Rod Johnson Handicap (1100m), the Rock Of Gibraltar gelding is sure to be given a polished ride form Steve Arnold.

Hayes and Dabernig have confirmed a two-pronged attack in the 2015 Sir John Monash Stakes, but second runner Miss Promiscuity will need plenty of luck in running from barrier 13.

Anatina clearly needed the run when eighth in the Rod Johnson Handicap first-up but is sure to have taken plenty of benefit from the run ahead of Saturday’s Caulfield feature.

Claiming four wins and as many minors through just twelve career starts, the daughter of Fastnet Rock undoubtedly found career-best form to date over a short 2014 Autumn Carnival campaign; winning the Listed MSS Security Stakes (1100m) before running a close second to Tiger Tees in the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m).

Only three runners; Sea Lord, Heat Of A Lion and Wild Rain will carry winning form into the 2015 Sir John Monash Stakes, but each undoubtedly face a far-greater task in success on Saturday.

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Jared Timms

Jared graduated with a journalism degree in 2011. He is a keen sports fan and has enjoyed many accolades for his lively writing style and comprehensive coverage of major sporting events and horse racing. Today, you can find Jared cheering on his beloved Manchester City with a beer in hand.