The blinkers are going back on Redkirk Warrior as he attempts to make history and win a third successive Group 1 $1.25m Seppelt Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington today.
Redkirk Warrior, above, is lining up to win his third straight Newmarket Handicap at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Redkirk Warrior had the blinkers on last year when he scored back to back wins in the Newmarket Handicap to equal the feats of Aspen (1880, 1881), Gothic (1927, 1928), Correct (1960, 1961) and Razor Sharp (1982, 1983) but is rated a $26 chance at Ladbrokes.com.au to complete a the hat trick.
Lindsay Park co-trainer Tom Dabernig is disregarding the double figure odds for Redkirk Warrior and is giving the big chestnut an excellent chance from an outside draw with Luke Nolen in the saddle.
“He is disregarded a little bit in the betting. He has won down the outside of the straight before. He is lovely and fit heading into this and I think he is a top each way hope,” Dabernig said.
The Lindsay Park Team of David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig was hoping to qualify Redkirk Warrior for the $5m All-Star Mile over 1600m at Flemington on March 16 but after failing to fill a spot, will now try and win a third Newmarket Handicap with the eight year old.
Lindsay Park’s head trainer David Hayes said the Team had trained Redkirk Warrior to handle the step up to 1400m and ultimately up to 1600m but will now revert back to the sprinting distances following his unlucky sixth to Alizee in the Group 1 $500,000 Yulong Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield last Saturday.
“We were hoping for the wildcard (for the All-Star Mile) but he got blocked and was denied his chance in the Futurity so we’ll probably go for history and try for a third Newmarket win,” Hayes told racing.com.
“It was disappointing last week as he got pole-axed and he would have been right in the finish if he got his run, but we’ll get over it if he can win a third.”
The James Cummings trained Osborne Bulls is the solid $4.20 Newmarket Handicap favourite at Ladbrokes.com.au on race morning ahead of the well backed Eduardo, $10 into $6.50 and Graff at $9.
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