Three runners from the one stable is never ideal but that is what father-son training partners Lee and Shannon Hope face in a Group Two race at Flemington.
They will be represented by Fenway, Madam Gangster and Platinum Rocker in the Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) on Saturday.
“It’s unfortunate the three of them clash,” Shannon Hope told Melbourne radio station RSN.
“Chris Waller does it every week so it shouldn’t be a problem.”
Last-start Caulfield winner Madam Gangster ($11), to be ridden by Mark Zahra, is rated the best of the Hopes trio although he thinks Platinum Rocker has the best claims.
To be ridden by Hope’s step-brother Blake Shinn, Platinum Rocker is a $13 chance with Fenway (Glyn Schofield) the $19 outsider.
“Fenway’s the best horse in the race in our stable but Platinum Rocker is a mare on the way up and gets in nicely at the weights,” Hope said.
“Blake’s first preference was Fenway because of the owner and winning a Group One on her and he’d won on Madam Gangster.
“But he showed a lot of loyalty as a good family friend owns Platinum Rocker and its her last run.”
Platinum Rocker is heading to stud after Saturday to be served by Brazen Beau.
Fenway, a winner of the Group One Vinery Stud Stakes in autumn, hasn’t raced since being run down by Delicacy in the Schweppes Oaks at Morphettville in May.
Hope said the daughter of High Chaparral has developed both physically and mentally since her break and is being geared towards the Cox Plate.
Madam Gangster was impressive winning first-up in the Cockram Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on August 29 under Shinn and will be suited by the rise to 1400m.
The daughter of Al Mahar is unbeaten in her two starts over the 1400m trip at Flemington.
