The Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington is the main spring aim for three-year-old colt Dubious who will be out to show he is on target for the Group One sprint when he runs in the Blue Sapphire Stakes.
The Group Three Blue Sapphire (1200m) for three-year-olds is one of the feature races on Wednesday’s Caulfield program which includes the Group Three Coongy Cup, Group Three Ladies Day Vase and Listed Ladbrokes Village Stakes.
Dubious was a dual stakes winner during his juvenile season and was runner-up in the $2 million Magic Millions Classic in January to Godolphin-owned filly Exhilarates who is among his Blue Sapphire rivals.
After a fourth placing in the Vain Stakes in his season return in August, Dubious bounced back with a close second to Dalasan in the Group Two Danehill Stakes (1200m) last month at Flemington.
Trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace have pinpointed the Blue Sapphire as the right lead-up to the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) on November 2.
“He has trained really well since the Danehill,” Eustace said.
“It looks to be a competitive race, probably a bit more competitive than a lot of years.
“There’s three or four genuinely good horses in him, Brooklyn Hustle and Exhilarates and they are probably all looking to head towards the Coolmore.
“But we couldn’t be happier with him.”
Eustace said Dubious had excuses for his Vain Stakes performance in which subsequent Group One Golden Rose winner Bivouac beat him by just over six lengths.
“He pulled up with a foot abscess after the race,” Eustace said.
“And then second-up you couldn’t knock him.
“He bounced back from missing a bit of work. He led them up and was only beaten by Dalasan who is a very good horse.
“We were very happy with the run.”
Mark Zahra, who claimed a Group One double at Caulfield on Saturday aboard Super Seth in the Caulfield Guineas and Cape Of Good Hope in the Caulfield Stakes, takes the ride on Dubious.
Exhilarates was the $3.90 favourite on Tuesday ahead of Brooklyn Hustle ($4.80) and Dubious ($5.50).
