Conditions To Suit Bow Creek At Caulfield

Bow Creek gets the opportunity to register his first Australian win when he steps out in the G2 Peter Young Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday, February 27.

The well-credentialed, former English five-year-old looks ideally-suited at the 1800m of the Caulfield race which will be his second outing this preparation.

Bow Creek (John O'Shea/Damien Oliver) registered a result that was much better than it reads when 13th of 18 behind Suavito in the G1 C.F. Orr Stakes earlier this month and his trainer believes he is ready to produce his best form.

"It was a lot better run last start than it might look," John O'Shea said.

"He was only beaten by a bit more than three lengths and he was knocked over at the 200m."

Bow Creek rallied in the final 50m and was conspicuous as he hit the line strongly after weaving through the packed field at the end of the 1400m race.

"He had barrier two which didn't suit him because he can be a bit slow into stride. This time he's drawn out a bit and he has an extra 400m."

The son of Shamardal arrived in Australia last spring with an impressive record in that included G2 wins at 1600m at Goodwood and Leopardstown, both of which rank at least as highly as his latest assignment.

The progressive colt Tally (John O'Shea/Craig Williams) also looks suited at Caulfield where he runs in the G2 Autumn Classic.

A strong winner at each of his two starts this time in, Tally carried 60kg to victory at Moonee Valley earlier this month, confirming himself as a potential stakes-class runner.

"He raced right up to the where we thought he should be last start and even though he takes a big step up in class at Caulfield, he's a winner, he knows how to get it done," O'Shea said.

Tally meets the boom three-year-old Mahuta, a winner at his past six starts, in the Autumn Classic with O'Shea looking to the race as a guide to his colt's future with the G1 Australian Guineas or G1 Randwick Guineas as possibilities.

Godolphin's Caulfield team is completed by the well-related colt Mogador in the G3 Zeditave Stakes.

An "understudy" to the stable's top young sprinter Exosphere, Mogador (John O'Shea/Craig Williams) is a half-brother to the stable's top juvenile Astern and a brother to the stakes performer Marrakesh.

The son of Lonhro hasn't raced since finishing fifth in the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington last October.

"This will be a much more suitable race for him, even though he's drawn a bit wide," O'Shea said.

"The key to him is a firm track and he should get that on Saturday."