Saturday’s Deane Lester Flemington Cup is the logical progression for many who contested the Banjo Paterson Series Final, but Phillip Stokes is happy one horse in particular is not among the nominations.
Untapped import Berkshire Breeze, the runaway winner of the Banjo Paterson Final, is being readied for a Cups assault in spring and will not contest Saturday’s 2800-metre event.
That significantly lessens the degree of difficulty confronting the Stokes-trained Taramansour, who beat home all-bar Berkshire Breeze last time out.
“The horse is going really well and he’s been knocking on the door,” Stokes said.
“He’s holding together well and we were happy with his work on Saturday morning.
“That horse (Berkshire Breeze) looked pretty good, but I’d say he’ll be very well-suited next Saturday.”
Daniel Stackhouse partnered Taramansour in the 2600m Banjo Paterson Series Final and retains the ride on Saturday.
The imported son of Dansili also finished second the start prior, over 2540m at Flemington on June 22, which has the two-time Group 3 Bendigo Cup (2400m) placegetter primed for his first try beyond 2600m.
“He’ll be fine at the trip,” Stokes said of the seven-year-old.
Taramansour is one of 22 nominations for the Deane Lester Flemington Cup with Duke Of Hastings, Born A King and Farag the others from the Banjo Paterson Final nominated.
The Deane Lester Flemington Cup is the feature event on a Flemington card that also features the $150,000 Byerly Handicap for two-year-olds.
The 1800m event attracted eight entries, headlined by Taj Rossi Series Final third placegetter Stay Silent and promising Dundeel stayer Politely Dun, with nominations extended until 10am Tuesday.