McAuliffe Happy With Kingston Town Classic Duo

Trainer Darren McAuliffe has both Fuchsia Bandana and Rebelson in the 2014 Kingston Town Classic field and he is happy with both horses heading into the Group 1 event at Ascot on Saturday.

Moriarty (pictured) is one of the main dangers to the Darren McAuliffe-trained duo in the 2014 Kingston Town Classic. Photo by: Daniel Costello

Moriarty (pictured) is one of the main dangers to the Darren McAuliffe-trained duo in the 2014 Kingston Town Classic. Photo by: Daniel Costello

Fuchsia Bandana will be stepping up to 1800 metres for the first time in the Kingston Town Classic on Saturday, but is taking excellent form into the race after performing strongly in her five race starts this preparation.

The Trade Fair mare resumed with a second place finish in the Listed Birthday Stakes (1200m) on October 4 before she scored her maiden win at Group level with an upset victory over Miss Rose De Lago in the Group 3 Northerly Stakes (1400m) on October 18.

Fuchsia Bandana was only narrowly denied by subsequent Winterbottom Stakes winner Magnifisio in the Group 2 Waroa-Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) and was far from disgraced when fifth in the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) on November 22.

McAuliffe told Perth Racing that Fuchsia Bandana came out of her Railway Stakes run in excellent condition and he is confident that the talented mare can produce a strong on-pace effort in the Kingston Town Classic this weekend.

“She has definitely improved and the times and sectionals from her gallops this morning proved that,” McAuliffe said.

“The barrier is going to be a real plus, and she will be positive whether she leads or takes up a position, that will remain to be seen on what a few of the other runners do.

“She will be in the first four in the run, and she will give a good sight.”

Rebelson is taking a different form line into the Kingston Town Classic than the majority of his rivals in the Group 1 event, but is sure to have no problems running out a strong 1800 metres after he finished second in the Listed Ascot Gold Cup (1800m) on November 8 and finished fifth in the Listed Tattersall’s Cup (2100m) on November 22.

The Kingston Town Classic chances of Rebelson were dented when he was allocated the second widest gate for the $500,000 race, but McAuliffe is confident that jockey Ben Kennedy should be able to find a forward position close to the rail for the Snippetson gelding in the early stages of the race.

“Having a look at the draw, it’s probably not too bad,” McAuliffe said.

“He will go forward anyway from that gate and it’s the only way to ride him.

“A couple of the top-weights Moriarty and horses like that that may not necessarily be right up on the speed have drawn inside, so we are probably a fair chance of getting across.”

Fuchsia Bandana is available at 2014 Kingston Town Classic odds of $21, while Rebelson is available at the lengthy quote of $51.

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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.