Star Victorian horseman Darren Weir has identified Saturday week’s Sir John Monash Stakes 2017 as the likely first-up target for his rising eight-year-old Flamberge.
The now Darren Weir-trained triple Group 1 winning sprinter Flamberge kicks off his spring bid in the Sir John Monash Stakes 2017. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
Three-time Group 1 winner Flamberge hasn’t raced since his close eighth when just over three lengths beaten home by the winner Silent Sedition at Moonee Valley in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) on March 24 when failing to defend his title in the autumn feature.
On Tuesday the veteran galloper, formerly prepared by the now retired Peter Moody of Black Caviar fame, showed he was ready for yet another Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival campaign with an eye-catching 900m trial win at St Arnaud.
Weir is now eyeing a resuming run for the $1.7 million earner at Caulfield Racecourse on July 15 in the $150,000 Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m).
Flamberge is a genuine sprint star with winning form between 1000m and 1200m and will be chasing his maiden win since narrowly holding off Holler to win last year’s William Reid Stakes.
That followed his also close success when beating home Fell Swoop by just a short half-head in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield, the same track and distance as the Sir John Monash Stakes.
Those back-to-back Group 1 wins followed his breakthrough success at the highest level in May of 2015 in Adelaide’s The Goodwood as a $31 roughie in betting.
Jockey John Allen had to really ride Flamberge home to get over Lucky Nic in Tuesday’s heat, but Weir remains confident the proven Caulfield performer and first-up flyer is on track for his latest campaign.
“He’s sound and well and happy to be there doing it,” Weir told Racing Victoria.
“He’s a bit hard to get a guide on because he’s so casual.
“But I think the main thing is he is enjoying himself, he’s happy around the stable and he’s sound.
“His trackwork’s very casual, but he’s been like that ever since I’ve had him, so hopefully this prep we can get a better crack at him.”
From nine first-up runs over his 41 start career to date, Flamberge boasts and imposing record of four wins, two seconds and a third.
He has only been racing with Weir since last October having six starts for the record-breaking trainer.
Flamberge is yet to finish in the money for Weir, but did catch the eye at Flemington on February 18 when only a quarter-length beaten running a brave fourth to Terravista in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m).
After the Sir Monash Stakes next-up spring racing options for Flamberge include the $200,000 Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley on September 9 or possibly even the $500,000 Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) back at the Valley on Friday September 29, 2017.
To back Flamberge over the spring at the top racing odds online head to Ladbrokes.com.au today.
