Stars Return for Liston Stakes
- Thursday, 22 August 2002 00:00
Saturday's weight-for-age feature race at
Caulfield, the $201,000 J.J. Liston Stakes has attracted a capacity field of sixteen plus
two emergencies.Formerly run at Sandown, the J.J. Liston Stakes now forms part of the newly introduced "Top 20 Racedays" program at Caulfield.
The Group 2 event over 1400 metres marks the racetrack return of several star gallopers including Sky Heights, Don Eduardo, Elegant Fashion and comeback pair Rose Archway and Brew.
Many eyes will be on Damien Oliver's mount Don Eduardo. The four-year-old blueblood has not raced since winning the AJC Derby at Randwick in March and trainer Lee Freedman has selected the J.J. Liston Stakes as the springboard for his Spring campaign.
Sky Heights, winner of the 1999 Carlton Draught
Caulfield Cup and runner-up last year to Ethereal, resumes after missing the Autumn
Carnival. The seven-year-old has not appeared since winning the 2001 Sandown Classic last
November.
Lightly raced four-year-old mare Elegant Fashion returns after a lucrative Autumn campaign. A winner of four of her eight career starts, Elegant Fashion is prominent in the early betting markets for the 2002 Carlton Draught Caulfield Cup.
It is interesting to note that two recent Caulfield Cup winners Diatribe (2000) and Sky Heights (1999) came through the J.J. Liston Stakes in those respective years.
The appearance of Rose Archway and Brew adds tremendous interest to this year's contest.
The Clarry Conners-trained Rose Archway returns
from an extended injury-enforced layoff. Now aged five, Rose Archway's last racetrack
appearance was in April 2001 when successful in the AJC Oaks at Randwick.
Brett Prebble will partner Brew on Saturday, who has also not raced since the Autumn of 2001. The 2000 Melbourne Cup winner has returned to the Mike Moroney stable after an unsuccessful bid to become a police horse.
The performances of these and many other J.J. Liston Stakes runners will be monitored closely from a long-term Spring viewpoint.
In addition to the J.J. Liston Stakes, Saturday's program includes three Listed races - the RSL Vain Stakes, Melbourne Legacy Quezette Stakes and Sir Edward Dunlop Research Foundation Stakes. All have attracted fields strong in quality and depth.
Saturday's meeting is also the annual "Back To Caulfield" Day, an event which commemorates the racecourse's military past. During World War II, Caulfield was temporarily donated to the Army to assist the war effort and was used as a barracks and clearing house for recruits.
A number of military displays will be featured at
Caulfield on Saturday and the Lone Pine Ceremony will be held on course at 11.00 am.
"Back To Caulfield" this year commemorates the Battle For Australia. In recognition of this special annual raceday, admission is free for war veterans, Legacy and RSL members, war widows, nurses and nursing association members, the defence forces and children aged 17 and under accompanied by an adult.
In addition, one lucky patron will win a $1000 TAB betting voucher in the on-course racebook competition.
PICS - Quentin
Lang.
Media Release - MRC