Trainer Andrea Leek remains uncertain about the precise path for Cosmic Crusader this spring, but she is eager to present the horse for his first race appearance this Saturday.
The Western Australian gelding, a winner at Group 1 level, is set to make his Victorian debut in the $200,000 Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Owned by Bob and Sandra Peters, the five-year-old entire joined Leek from Perth’s prominent trainer Michael Grantham. Grantham had guided Cosmic Crusader to victory in last year’s Northerly Stakes, and Leek is thoroughly pleased with how the horse has settled into his new Victorian surroundings.
“I think he loves it,” Leek stated. “He seems very happy and we’re just looking forward to seeing what he can do on Saturday. It’s a bit short of his (best) distance, but you’ve got to start somewhere and it just looked like a nice starting point.”
Leek indicated that no definitive major spring target has been set for the horse, who arrived in Victoria regarded by many as WA’s premier galloper, with Peters keen to observe his performance this weekend.
The son of Maurice was unable to secure a start in Perth’s most prestigious event, the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m), but subsequently achieved a commanding win in the Listed Carbine Club Stakes (1400m) on the same day. He then went on to claim the Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) on December 6.
He was then dropped back to 1400m for the Group 3 Gold Rush seven days later, where he was narrowly defeated by the Victorian sprinter Rey Magnerio.
Cosmic Crusader has not competed over 1200m since securing a win at Ascot in October 2024, which marked his second success from three starts at that distance. He enters the Bletchingly Stakes following a single Victorian jumpout, where he finished second to Pop Award at Caulfield on July 1.
“He had the one jumpout at Caulfield, just to give him a look at it,” Leek commented. “I was really happy with it, very happy.”
Cosmic Crusader was among 13 nominations for the weight-for-age Bletchingly Stakes. Potential competitors include Monash Stakes winners Winnasedge, the 2024 victor Recommendation, the capable Zou Sensation, and Group 2-winning mare Miraval Rose.
Punters are lining up to back Cosmic Crusader in the Bletchingly Stakes, with many expecting him to perform well first-up at Australian betting sites.