Iconic A Chance For Oakleigh Plate

Trainer Tony McEvoy has revealed that talented three-year-old Iconic is a chance of contesting the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 22.

Iconic will return to the races in the City Of Glen Eria Handicap at Caulfield this weekend.

Iconic will return to the races in the City Of Glen Eria Handicap at Caulfield this weekend. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Iconic will return to the races in the City Of Glen Eria Handicap (1000m) at Caulfield this weekend and depending on how he performs could be set for a maiden tilt at Group 1 level during the 2014 Melbourne Festival Of Racing.

“I thought this would be a nice little kick-off race for him and if he shows me that he’s going well enough then he’ll go straight into the Oakleigh Plate,” McEvoy told Racing Victoria.

“Should he get conditions to suit with no weight on his back in an Oakleigh Plate then I thought he’s the sort of horse that could run quite well in it.

“I think he’ll run well (this weekend); this is not his grand final but I’m bringing him across there because I think he’ll figure in the finish.

“He’s very forward and is ready to go and I’m very pleased with him.”

Iconic has recorded three wins from eight career starts, but has been unable to breakthrough for a maiden victory at black type level.

The son of Bel Esprit resumed with a narrow second behind Ticket To Toorak in the City Of Ballarat Plate (1000m) on November 1 in 2012 and returned to the races to record his maiden win in the Eastman Lynch Plate (900m) at Bendigo on February 17.

He made it two wins from as many starts when he took out the Gold Rush (1000m) at Bendigo on March 6, but failed to fire in the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes (1100m) at Royal Randwick on April 13 before finishing his campaign with a second place finish in the Group 3 National Stakes (1200m).

Iconic returned to the races with an impressive win over a strong field in the Nine West Plate (1000m) at Caulfield on September 21 and finished sixth behind Lion Of Belfort in the Blue Sapphire (1200m) before being sent to the spelling paddock following an unlucky defeat in the Schweppes Flemington Fling (1000m) on November 5.

Iconic is a clear favourite to return to the races with a win in the City Of Glen Eria Handicap and is currently available at odds of $2.50 from Prettyhappyaboutit ($5), Cavallo Nero ($6), Starshot ($12) and My Survivor ($12).

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.