David Brideoake with dual stakes threat at Caulfield
MORNINGTON-based trainer David Brideoake has a dual threat engaged at Caulfield this Saturday with both runners looking to secure group three success.
Brideoake lines up talented four-year-old mare Thames Court in the Group 3 Mannerism Stakes, which is looking to cap off consistent form with a win.
The daughter of Commands hasn’t won since taking out the Group 3 Alexandra Stakes at Moonee Valley in March last year, but it has since finished fourth in the Group 1 Rupert Clarke and fourth in the Bellmaine Stakes last start.
Brideoake believes the better draw this time around will help after Thames Court was caught wide after drawing barrier 11 last start.
“She was good first up from an outside barrier,” Brideoake told horsebetting.com.au. “She had to do a bit of work and was beaten only a short margin in running fourth.
“She’s drawn a nice barrier here (3).”
Thames Court ($5 at Sportsbet) typically shows good improvement second-up with a record of three starts for one win and two placings.
“There has been improvement from her first run to second up and Mark Zahra’s had a feel for her,” Brideoake said.
“It all stands us in pretty good stead for a good result.”
Brideoake, who trained Grand Journey to group one success in the W.A Oaks and Derby, also lines up talented colt Apiata in the Group 3 Zeditave Stakes.
Named after New Zealand’s first recipient of the Victoria Cross Medal, Apiata was transferred from the Peter Moody stable last year and is owned by both Moody and Waikato Stud breeder Gary Chittick.
The extremely well-bred son of O’Reilly scored an easy win on debut, but it had no luck last start in the Gothic Stakes when caught wide and it will have work to do from barrier 11 on Saturday.
“We took him over in the winter when he came out of the Peter Moody stable,” Brideoake said.
“He’s probably got quite a task from the outside barrier, but I’m happy with his progress.”
Apiata is a colt with plenty of potential and although it’s taking on a hot field this Saturday, it could upset at long odds.
“He’s furnished massively from the spring to the autumn. He has had a jumpout and he was impressive in that jumpout,” said Brideoake, who also believes it could stretch out over the longer distances later this autumn.
“We’re taking it run-by-run, but he’s potentially a horse that could go a little further than the sprint trip. Approaching the autumn, he could take us a little further into the autumn than this race,” he added.