French galloper Vadamos has drawn midfield at barrier seven in the Group 1 $2m Emirates Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday.
French galloper Vadamos, above, has drawn barrier 7 in the Emirates Stakes at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Damien Oliver takes over from Mark Zahra in the thirteen horse weight for age Group 1 which was run as the Mackinnon Stakes and has been switched from the day one of the four day Melbourne Cup Carnival to the last day.
The Andre Fabre trained Vadamos had his first run in Australia when he raced keenly in front before finishing fourth to Winx in the Group 1 $3m Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 22.
The Charlie Appleby trained, Godolphin owned Scottish will jump from barrier six with English jockey William Buick in the saddle and will be dropping back from 2400m to the 2000m after running second to Jameka in the Group 1 $3m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 15.
Scottish was originally being set for the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington but the stable had a change of mind and decided to keep the five year old to the shorter distance of the Emirates Stakes.
“Scottish has continued to do well since the Caulfield Cup and we are happy to have him dropping back in distance, from 2,400m to 2,000m for the Emirates,” Appleby said.
The John O’Shea trained Hauraki will also carry the Godolphin royal blue colours and will jump from the inside gate with James McDonald taking over from Dwayne Dunn.
Dunn rode Hauraki last start when eighth in the Cox Plate but McDonald was in the saddle at his previous start when he scored a last to first win in the Group 1 $1m Epsom (1600m) at Randwick on October 1.
Owner Lloyd Williams, trainer Robert Hickmott and jockey Kerrin McEvoy are looking for another Group 1 win with The United States in the Emirates Stakes after they combined with Almandin to win the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday.
McEvoy rode The United States to victory two starts back in the Group 2 $200,000 Schweppes Crystal Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley on October 22 before running an unlucky fourth for Steven Arnold in the Group 1 $1m Cantala Stakes (1600m) at Flemington last Saturday.
Chris Waller will saddle up Vanbrugh who is stepping up to Group 1 company after winning the Group 3 $150,000 Priceline Pharmacy Coongy Cup (2000m) at Caulfield on October 15.
Ben Melham has retained the ride on Vanbrugh who will jump from barrier ten.
The three year olds Good Standing and Seaburge will be taking on the older horses and will only have to carry the featherweight of 51kg under the weight for age scale.
The James Cummings trained Good Standing (barrier 3) is coming off a last start win in the Group 3 $500,000 Ladbrokes Caulfield Classic (2000m) at Caulfield on October 15 with Chad Schofield replacing Blake Shinn while Dean Yendall replaces Schofield on Seaburge (barrier 2) who finished eighth at his latest outing in the Cantala Stakes.
Market order for the Emirates Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4 The United States, $4.50 Vadamos, $5.50 Scottish, $10 Hauraki, $12 Good Standing, $13 Endless Drama, Palentino, $15 Seaburge, $18 Vanbrugh, $21 Happy Clapper, Awesome Rock, $34 Tivaci, $41 Happy Trails.
