Paul Beshara believes that Happy Trails can finish in the placings in the 2015 Memsie Stakes, but the colourful trainer admits that the 1400 metres will likely be too short for his star galloper in the Group 1 event at Caulfield this afternoon.
Happy Trails has been one of the biggest drifters in 2015 Memsie Stakes betting markets. Photo by: Jenny Barnes
Happy Trails started his 2015 Spring Racing Carnival campaign with a credible sixth in the Group 3 Spring Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on August 8 and Beshara told Racing.com that the veteran gelding had taken a great deal of benefit out of the run.
Beshara expects Happy Trails to be storming home late in the concluding stages of the Memsie Stakes, but he does not think that the eight-year-old will be able to record his fourth victory at the highest level of racing.
“He will be coming home hard and he can run a place,” Beshara said.
“I still think that the 1400 might be a little bit short for him.
“In his first-up run in the Spring Stakes he hit the line good, he has pulled up well, ate well and is very bright-eyed.
“He has done well in himself and he will equit himself well this spring.”
Happy Trails was only narrowly beaten in the past two editions of the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) and the Australasian Weight-For-Age Championship is the major spring target for the son of Good Journey, but Beshara confirmed that he is open to giving his favourite horse a maiden opportunity over 3200 metres in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 3.
“We have put a nomination in for the Melbourne Cup and if we are lucky enough to gain a start we will take it from there,” Beshara said.
“Right now my aim is the Cox Plate and if we get him in the Cox Plate that would be his fourth Cox Plate.
“The Melbourne Cup is what dreams are made of and even to just go into it would be a great honour.
“It is the greatest race in the world.”
Happy Trails is currently available at 2015 Memsie Stakes odds of $19 and he has been one of the biggest drifters with Ladbrokes, while he is priced at $26 to take out the 2015 edition of the Cox Plate.
