Sheila Laxon is optimistic about returning to the Flemington winner’s enclosure this Saturday, a venue she hasn’t celebrated in since the 2024 Melbourne Cup.
The Macedon Lodge trainer, alongside partner John Symons, has three runners prepared for Finals Day, aiming to secure their first Flemington victory since Knight’s Choice’s impressive win in the 2024 Melbourne Cup.
Star Of Macedon, a two-year-old Zoustar colt, is leading the market for the $175,000 Listed Taj Rossi Series Final (1600m). Mission Of Love is entered for the $150,000 Banjo Paterson Series Final (2600m), and Nihancan is set to run in the $200,000 Mahogany Series Final (2500m).
These races have been the primary winter objectives for each horse, and Laxon is eager to see them perform.
“I think we should have a good day,” Laxon, who famously trained Ethereal to win the 2001 Melbourne Cup, remarked.
“I think they can all run in the first three on what they’ve done at home, all going well in their races.”
Star Of Macedon is the favourite, marginally ahead of Marwooba, while Mission Of Love is a $21 chance and Nihancan is rated at $41.
Star Of Macedon is yet to break his maiden status in three starts, but he has consistently finished in the placings. This includes an unlucky third in a 1420m event at Flemington on June 20, a race that featured a number of his rivals for Saturday.
“He’s showing plenty of ability, it looks like the mile will suit him and there’s not a lot of options as far as stepping them out over ground with two-year-olds at the moment,” Laxon stated.
“From what he’s done so far we’re quite confident that the mile suits and I’m sure he’ll be finishing on well.
“He’s just had bad draws and other things making it very difficult for him to actually win in his previous starts.
“We just need to see where he sits and then we can make a decision on what we’re going to do with him from thereon in.”
Laxon’s strategic planning is geared towards targeting feature events, including the $3 million Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) during the Melbourne Spring Carnival.
“Everything he’s done for us he shows a lot of tenacity and ability to do whatever we ask him to do,” he said.
“Hopefully he’s as good as we think he is.”
Star Of Macedon is drawn in barrier seven for the eight-horse Taj Rossi Final, with Dylan Dunn, who has ridden him in all his previous starts, retaining the ride.
Exploring Australian betting sites for the best racing betting markets is recommended for this event.
