News

Light Brigade charge is on as Rosehill Guineas targeted

24th Mar 2011

The Daily Telegraph - Nathan Exelby - Thursday, 24 March 2011

BLUE-BLOODED colt Light Brigade is coming into "prime time" and now needs to live up to his pedigree as he tackles the middle-distance Classics, starting with Saturday's Group 1 Rosehill Guineas.

Light Brigade is a son of Redoute's Choice from the Queensland Guineas winning Zabeel mare Winning Belle and cost $1.4 million at the 2009 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

Part-owner Bob Scarborough said connections had been patient but his last start third in the Randwick Guineas suggested all was in order for his path into the staying races.

"Winning Belle excelled at 2000m and this is prime time for him. I really feel he's a four-year-old, but for his Classic year, this is his time," Scarborough said. "I thought it was a courageous run (Randwick Guineas). Pressday ran them off their legs for a while and he carted the whole field up to him and just kept fighting on.

"He pulled up beautifully and has worked well since."

The owner has enjoyed great success in the Classics. He owned and bred the 2000 Victoria Derby winner Hit The Roof, as well as New Zealand Derby winner Leica Guv (2001).

He also raced popular galloper Marble Halls, who ran second to Yippyio in an epic 1997 Queensland Derby. Scarborough's Australian Guineas winner Light Fantastic was retired last year and now acts as a guardian for the young colts at the owner's Wood Nook Farm.

Scarborough took a 25 per cent share in Light Brigade, with Kia Ora Stud's Ananda Krishnan securing the majority share.

New Zealand Derby winner Jimmy Choux was installed as the $3.90 TattsBet favourite yesterday, with Light Brigade a $9 chance.

Melbourne filly Crystal Lily may avert another smashing from superstar Black Caviar by diverting to Adelaide this weekend. Crystal Lily was an acceptor for the William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley tomorrow night but owner David Moodie kept his options open by also declaring the Slipper winner for the Sportingbet Classic at Morphettville on Saturday.

The appeal of the Adelaide race is not just dodging Black Caviar. Crystal Lily has drawn ideally at gate 3, while her main rivals Avenue (12), Beaded (11) and Response (10) all drew poorly.

"On paper it definitely looks much easier now, but initially I was reluctant to give her a trip interstate at this stage when we have plans to run in both Sydney and Brisbane in the next two months," Moodie said. "Right now I would favour the Adelaide option, but I still haven't spoken to (trainer) Mathew Ellerton. If she is to run at Morphettville, we will float her across tomorrow night (Thursday)."