The 2014 Danehill Stakes is set to feature a capacity field after 23 talented three-year-olds were included in the nominations for the Group 2 event that will be held at Flemington on Saturday.
Get The Nod recorded a classy victory in the Vain Stakes last start. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Get The Nod stamped himself as a horse to watch with an outstanding win in the Group 3 Vain Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on August 16 and he is set to have the third start of his career in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1100m).
Trainer Lloyd Kennewell said after the Vain Stakes that Get The Nod was the best horse that he has ever trained and the son of US Ranger has been included in the nominations for both the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) and the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m).
Another three-year-old that will be taking winning form into the Danehill Stakes is Ken Keys-trained Rich Enuff, who led from start to finish to record a two and a half lengths win in the Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on August 23.
Keys, whose wife bred and owns the son of Written Tycoon, has knocked backed offers of over $1 million for the valuable colt and he is confident that the talented galloper is good enough to win the Caulfield Guineas.
Divan is another Caulfield Guineas contender that has been included in the Danehill Stakes nominations and he will be facing the toughest test of his racing career to date if owner Lloyd Williams elects to run him in the Group 2 race.
The Zabeel colt made his racing debut with a fast-finishing third in the Listed Anzac Day Stakes (1410m) at Flemington on April 25 and he returned to the races with a most impressive win from the tail of the field in a maiden at Sandown on August 27.
One of the most interesting runners in the Danehill Stakes nominations is Champagne Stakes winning filly Go Indy Go.
Go Indy Go was set to start her 2014 Spring Racing Carnival campaign against her own sex in the Listed Cap D’Antibes Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday, but trainer Leon Macdonald has elected to run the Bernardini filly against the colts and geldings in the Danehill Stakes.
Co-trainer Wayne Hawkes revealed this morning that Nostradamus would be included in the acceptances for both the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) and the Danehill Stakes and Team Hawkes will decide later in the week whether the three-year-old will make the trip to Melbourne for the Danehill Stakes.
The Chris Waller-trained duo of Law and Brazen Beau have both been included in the Danehill Stakes nominations, while Mick Price has Berlutti, Cornrow and Nordic Empire in the entries.
