Tralee Rose makes her return this week and it appears that the New Zealand-bred will be taking a well-trodden path to the Melbourne Cup on November 1.
Shorter Trips Not a Problem
The popular Tralee Rose has been out for nine months. Now, she makes her eagerly-anticipated return to action. This Saturday sees her line up in the Michael Grumley Handicap at Caulfield over 1600 metres.
Symon Wilde’s runner hasn’t been seen on a racecourse since last year’s Melbourne Cup (see the Melbourne Cup 2021 results). A return to action is on the cards now however and it seems a shorter trip is no problem for the six-year-old.
Wilde reckons she can handle the heat over shorter distances. Tralee Rose in fact ran well fresh in last season’s Heatherlie Stakes over 1700 metres. She was third that day first up, with the Michael Grumley within her wheelhouse.
Tralee Rose has had her injury problems, described by her trainer as just minor concerns. They came about in the Cup itself when she was galloped on during the race.
Now, she’s been kept away from the autumn races with a spring staying race campaign in mind.
Few Changes to Cup Lead Up
Tralee Rose’s connections felt that her prep last year for the Cup was excellent. With that in mind, it seems they have no plans to change it dramatically this time.
One difference is that she may have an extra run. Given that she missed the autumn, she is reportedly very fresh now and it means the team is further ahead of where they were twelve months ago.
Last year the mare ran in the Heatherslie, the Naturalism and the Bart Cummings. She is now likely to take in those same races after her mile race on Saturday.
Although a big performance is not beyond Tralee Rose this week, her opening appearance is being described as little more than a pipe-opener for her. How she handles good ground is important, and she has had two jump outs already.
Tralee Rose really is another one to watch in the coming weeks and months. She finished ninth in the Melbourne Cup after a fine campaign. Considering the trouble she met during her run, she could be capable of much more now.
Some big-hitters are coming out to play now in advance of the Spring Carnival. This comes at a time when suggestions have been made to push back some of Australia’s major races.
Could the Melbourne and Sydney Spring Carnivals Be Moved?
Suggestions have been raised in recent days that horse racing in Australia is missing a major trick.
The early starts to the spring carnivals in Melbourne and Sydney, it has been said, are run while footy codes are going at full tilt.
Some say that racing’s major events should be put back into November and December. Would traditionalists put up with a Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday in December? It’s an intriguing thought.
Read more news about the Melbourne Cup.
