Vancouver’s position on top of 2015 Golden Rose Stakes betting markets could be in jeopardy after he produced a lacklustre performance in a barrier trial at Rosehill Gardens this morning.
Vancouver finished a disappointing third in a barrier trial at Rosehill Gardens this morning. Photo by: Steve Hart
Vancouver contested the opening barrier trial of the morning over 1030 metres and he was settled in a lovely position just behind the leading pair by jockey Tommy Berry in the early stages of the barrier trial.
Berry asked Vancouver for an extra effort coming into the straight and the Golden Slipper was under hard riding, but he failed to respond to the urging and he was unable to get past Slate On Edge or Son’s Of John on the line.
There was a great deal expected of Vancouver ahead of the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival after he took out the Listed New South Wales Thoroughbred Breeders Plate (1000m), Group 3 Canonbury Stakes (1100m), Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m) and Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) as a two-year-old, but to date he has failed to fire.
Vancouver won his opening barrier trial of the spring over 840 metres at Royal Randwick on July 31, but he was under heavy riding from Berry and he could finish no better than fourth behind Japonisme in the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on August 15.
Punters remained confident that Vancouver could win the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) and he was as short as $3 in betting markets before the barrier trial this morning, but he is already out to $3.20 and will likely be even longer on race day.
The opening barrier trial of the morning was won by Brett Thompson-trained Slate On Edge, who has not been seen at the races since he scored a narrow victory in the Parnell Partners Group Handicap (1630m) at Doomben on November 29.
Son’s Of John was the other galloper that held-off Vancouver in the final stages of the barrier trial and he looks as though he is ready to return to the races for the first time since he recorded an impressive victory in the Group 3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) on June 7.
Trainer Jason Attard is yet to decide on the path that Son’s Of John will follow during the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival, but he has been included in the nominations for the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) that will be held at Royal Randwick on October 3.
Run To The Rose winner Exopshere ($4.60) is currently on the second line of Golden Rose Stakes betting at Ladbrokes from Chris Waller-trained Press Statement ($6) and Mick Price-trained Ready For Victory ($10).
