The Sir Ernest Lee Steere Classic (1400m) is one of three Group Three races running at Ascot Racecourse this Saturday, in of the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m).
Following Hobart Jones in the nominations is the Eric Wake-trained Cuanzo, who like Hobart Jones has placed outside the first three in just one of his seven career starts. He heads into the 2014 Sir Ernest Lee Steere Classic with two minor placings to his name, in both the Listed Belgravia Stakes (1200m) and Listed Fairetha Stakes (1400m).
Neville Parnham and Dion Luciani are both set to deliver dual-pronged attacks in the race, nominating two horses each.
Parnham will saddle Malibu Style and Dancing Express while Luciani has nominated both Hold Your Tongue and Prete A Partir.
Three-year-old gelding Malibu Style won his maiden in October before going on to finish runner-up in the Placid Ark Stakes while Dancing Express finished runner-up in the Group 3 WA Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) before finishing midfield in the Group 2 WA Guineas (1600m) on November 22. The filly will also carry the minimum weight of 54.5kg, two kilos less than the majority of the field.
The Simon A Miller-trained Liberty’s Gem has had just three career starts but is in good form. The gelding won his maiden in September before going on to the win the Placid Ark Stakes on November 22.
Check out the full list of 2014 Sir Ernest Lee Steere Classic nominations below before the final field is released on Thursday.
Betting odds for the Classic will open at Ladbrokes.com.au shortly after the final field and barrier draw is announced, so make sure your betting is open and ready to go.
2014 Sir Ernest Lee Steere Classic Nominations
# | Horse | Trainer | Weight | H Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | CUANZO | Eric Wake | 56.5kg | 74 |
2 | HOBART JONES | Vernon Brockman | 56.5kg | 76 |
3 | HOLD YOUR TONGUE | Dion Luciani | 56.5kg | 67 |
4 | LIBERTY’S GEM | Simon A Miller | 56.5kg | 70 |
5 | MALIBU STYLE | Neville Parnham | 56.5kg | 67 |
6 | MAXIMUS MAK (NZ) | Wally Mitchell | 56.5kg | 66 |
7 | MISSISSIPPIAN | Ross & Clint Price | 56.5kg | 62 |
8 | OUTLAW PETE | Trevor Andrews | 56.5kg | 70 |
9 | STOCKS | Sean Casey | 56.5kg | 61 |
10 | DANCING EXPRESS | Neville Parnham | 54.5kg | 69 |
11 | FURIOUS DAME | Darren Mcauliffe | 54.5kg | 62 |
12 | PRETE A PARTIR | Dion Luciani | 54.5kg | 67 |