Darren Weir fills trifecta in Edward Manifold Stakes, I Am Excited claims Gilgai

[Hogg]

LEADING trainer Darren Weir looks set to play a major hand in this spring’s Group 1 three-year-old fillies races, having brought off the trifecta in yesterday’s Edward Manifold Stakes at Flemington.

Amphitrite, a daughter of Sebring, firmed into $8 for next Saturday’s Thousand Guineas after making it three consecutive wins this campaign with a dominant one-and-three-quarter length success.

But Weir isn’t sure which direction the winner will head after her impressive win over stablemates Krone and Verry Elleegant.

“I liked her (Amphitrite) coming into the race, but the other two have probably got a bit more upside,” a delighted Weir said after Saturday’s Group 2 success.

“I don’t really know what we will do with her yet, but we’ve probably got to go there (Thousand Guineas). I suppose (the reservation) is that it might all just come too quick for her.

“I thought looking at her in the yard, she looked great today, so we might back up.

“We’ve gotta look after her now ... she is a good horse.”

He is more certain about the direction of the placegetters, with Krone a certain starter in the Thousand Guineas next week, having been shortened from $26 into $13 for the race. Verry Elleegant appears bound for the VRC Oaks.

The latter, having her first start for Weir after three starts in New Zealand, has been installed as the $7 equal favourite for the Oaks, following her slashing third,

“Krone definitely heads (to the Thousand Guineas), and the filly that ran third looks more like an Oaks horse,” Weir said. “I was really pleased with the way (Verry Elleegant) attacked the line, and Johnny (Allen) rode her beautifully to bring her on. She will learn a lot from that.”

I AM EXCITED RELISHES STRAIGHT TO WIN GILGAI
A LATE charge from Sydney mare I Am Excited has clinched a last-to-first win in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes at Flemington.

Trainer David Pfieffer was keen to get I Am Excited onto the straight course at Flemington in the Gilgai after the four-year-old had finished second and fourth respectively in two Group 3 races at Caulfield this campaign.

I Am Excited was narrowly beaten in her only previous try on the straight course at Flemington last spring and Pfieffer was thrilled to see the mare arrive in time under Kerrin McEvoy to win Saturday’s 1200m race in a tight finish.

“I just think the Caulfield track hadn’t been suiting her that well,” Pfieffer said.

“In her first start there it was very obvious she didn’t cope with that turn for the first time. The next time she just got held up a fraction and she had to stop and start her momentum which doesn’t suit her.