The powerhouse Emma Stewart stable will play a major hand in Sunday’s Community Bank Maryborough Gold Cup.
The Cardigan barn has five of the 11 runners entered for the Group 3 feature, which headlines the first of three big meetings out of the Central Goldfields in coming weekends.
May’s APG 4YO Colts and Geldings Final winner Beyond Delight (barrier three), 2021 Derby champ Act Now (pictured) (five) and country cup champs Our Millionaire (seven), Phoenix Prince (eight) and Like A Wildfire (10) have all made the final field for the $35,000 event over the 2690m staying trip.
Taking on the Stewart team will be Stephen O’Donoghue/Rebecca Bartley-trained Western Sonador (one), Julie Douglas’ stablemates Kosimo (two) and Torrid Saint (nine), Matthew Craven’s last-start Melton winner Crime Writer (four), John Nicholson’s Redcliffe Gold Cup victor Sebs Choice (six) and Basil Dooley’s ever-consistent eight-year-old Bettor Be The Bomb (11).
The Dancinginthedark @ Aldebaran Park Maryborough Trotters Cup has also drawn a superb field.
Kate Hargreaves’ in-form squaregaiter Dont Care and John Nissen’s talented gelding Locksley Lover look among the horses to beat off the front line, while Brent Lilley’s Robbie Royale (10m), Alex Ashwood’s Parisian Artiste (20m), Chris Svanosio’s Brandlo Prince (20m), Chris Angove’s Sundons Courage (20m) and Andy Gath’s Havehorsewilltravel (30m) all have to overcome handicaps if they are to claim the Group 2 event.
Maryborough will host another meeting on Sunday, October 23 before the Redwood Classic and Victoria Trotters Derby card on Sunday, October 30.
