It was an eventful weekend in Sydney, with the last of our Carnival runners lining up on Doncaster Day.
Gondokoro was the star of the team, her gritty 3rd in the Oaks was a huge effort, especially considering the heavy track. This was her first placing in a black-type race, and she is now having a let-up before she heads to Brisbane for the QTC Oaks.
Red Shift was engaged in the Newgate Farm Handicap over 2400m, and found the Heavy 10 track rating was not to his liking. Despite being NZ bred, he has a lifelong distaste for wet tracks, and was never comfortable at any stage. He has earned himself a bit of a break, and will now go to the paddock for a rest. The plan is to have him back racing in time for Spring.
Ethiopia lined up in the Doncaster Mile, trained to the minute for his first and only start this prep. He had never raced on a Heavy track before, and like many big-striding horses he had no confidence in the going. He will be having a spell too, before returning during the Melbourne Spring Carnival.