Sheila Laxon is anticipating a triumphant return to the Flemington winner’s enclosure this Saturday, a place she hasn’t visited since the 2024 Melbourne Cup.
The Macedon Lodge trainer, alongside her partner John Symons, has three contenders lined up for Finals Day, aiming for their first Flemington victory since Knight’s Choice’s memorable win in the 2024 Melbourne Cup.
Star Of Macedon, a talented Zoustar colt, heads into the $175,000 Listed Taj Rossi Series Final (1600m) as the favourite. Mission Of Love is set to compete in the $150,000 Banjo Paterson Series Final (2600m), while Nihancan is entered for the $200,000 Mahogany Series Final (2500m).
These specific races have been the primary winter objectives for each horse, and Laxon expresses considerable excitement about their prospects.
“I think we should have a good day,” Laxon, who famously trained Ethereal to win the 2001 Melbourne Cup, commented.
“I think they can all run in the first three on what they’ve done at home, all going well in their races.”
While Mission Of Love is currently a $21 outsider and Nihancan is priced at $41, Star Of Macedon is the most fancied by the bookmakers. The two-year-old colt is marginally favoured over Marwooba.
Despite not yet securing a win in his three starts, Star Of Macedon has consistently placed, including an unfortunate third in a 1420m Flemington race on June 20, which featured several of his upcoming rivals.
“He’s showing plenty of ability, it looks like the mile will suit him and there’s not a lot of options as far as stepping them out over ground with two-year-olds at the moment,” Laxon stated.
“From what he’s done so far we’re quite confident that the mile suits and I’m sure he’ll be finishing on well.
“He’s just had bad draws and other things making it very difficult for him to actually win in his previous starts.
“We just need to see where he sits and then we can make a decision on what we’re going to do with him from thereon in.”
Laxon’s strategic planning aims to pave a path towards significant feature events, including the $3 million Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) during the Melbourne Spring Carnival.
“Everything he’s done for us he shows a lot of tenacity and ability to do whatever we ask him to do,” he added.
“Hopefully he’s as good as we think he is.”
Star Of Macedon is set to start from barrier seven in the eight-horse Taj Rossi Final, with Dylan Dunn, who has guided him in all his previous races, retaining the ride.
For those looking to get involved, exploring the latest Australian betting sites could offer competitive racing odds for the Taj Rossi Series Final.