Flemington duo firing up during summer
As the Christmas/New Year racing period approaches the Flemington stable of cousins Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra invariably makes an impact.
Last year after a quiet spring they had a successful December culminating in four winners at Flemington on New Year’s Day.
With a little over three weeks left this month, Ellerton and Zahra has a team of seven runners heading to Flemington on Saturday.
Three line up in the Lanec Services Handicap – Euston Road, Blithe Belle and Magna Rosa – all at double figure odds.
Zahra expects the trio to run forward races especially as they all come off the back of some recent good jump-outs and go into the 1000m race fresh.
Blithe Belle hasn’t raced since winning at Caulfield in July but is a progressive type according to Zahra.
“Her trials have been really good and she will improve off them,” Zahra said.
“Euston Road goes well up the straight and is a good fresh horse.
“She’s had a couple of jump-outs and has been freshened since.”
Magna Rosa has a tongue tie fitted for Saturday’s race after getting her tongue over the bit when last at Geelong in October.
Zahra said the mare was sent to owner David Moodie’s property for a freshen-up and arrived back in the stable in great order.
“She looks a lot better,” Zahra said.
“She looked a bit ribby and wintry in her coat before the freshen up and we couldn’t get her to turn around.
“We sent her up to David’s farm for a month or so and she’s been thriving since.
“There’s three nice horses in the race. It looks a nice race and each has a chance.”
The stable will also be represented by Not A Happy Camper ($11) in the Plenary Group Handicap, What A Shock ($13) in the Dorevitch Pathology Charity Plate, Rough Justice ($7.50) in the Western Health First Response Pharmacy Cup and Sir Sagamore ($8.50) in the Western Health Foundation Handicap.