Royal Descent is set to have her next race start in the 2015 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington on October 4 and the Group 1 event will decide where she heads for the remainder of the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival.
Royal Descent could head to the 2015 Caulfield Cup if she performs well in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington next Sunday. Photo by: Steve Hart
Royal Descent returned to winning form in the Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on August 22 and she was far from disgraced when third in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on September 5 before she was only narrowly denied by Kermadec in the Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m) at the same venue on September 19.
The talented mare has not raced at a distance greater than 2000 metres since she finished fifth behind Fawkner in the 2013 edition of the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), but owner Gerry Harvey’s Racing Manager Claire Bird indicated that a step-up in trip for another tilt at the Caulfield Cup is on the agenda for the six-year-old if she runs out a strong 2000 metres in the 2015 Turnbull Stakes.
“At this stage all going well in a perfect world, Gerry would like to go to Melbourne for the Turnbull,” Bird said.
“He has had it in his head for a little while that he would like to see her over a bit of a trip again and maybe try for the Caulfield Cup.
“We feel that going over 2000 metres is a step in that direction to see if she is looking for that extra ground and if not we can freshen her up and bring her back to the mile for the Myer.”
Royal Descent has been included in the nominations for the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) and she finished an extremely close second behind He’s Your Man in the 2014 edition of the race, but Bird said that at this stage the daughter of Redoute’s Choice is unlikely to run in the $1 million event.
“It is unlikely,” Bird said.
“It is probably more to the weight that she is going to get as well.
“In a perfect world she will go down to Melbourne, but as we know in racing anything can happen and if Chris feels she is better suited back at a mile she will certainly run in the race.”
Royal Descent is currently available at 2015 Caulfield Cup odds of $41, while Japanese stayer Fame Game ($9) remains a clear favourite from Hokko Brave ($13) and Rising Romance ($13) following the release of the second acceptances this afternoon.
