Missing a run in a Group 1 contest may provide Godolphin galloper Pericles a long overdue return to the winner’s enclosure at Moonee Valley.
Pericles is down to contest the So You Think Stakes (1500m) on Saturday, a new race at The Valley to compensate for the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) being moved to the Grand Final Eve meeting on September 27.
Trainer James Cummings and Godolphin elected to bypass taking on Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni last week in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield to concentrate on Saturday’s easier assignment.
If successful on Saturday, it will be Pericles’ first win since the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at the corresponding Sydney meeting last year.
While unsuccessful, Pericles has been a model of consistency, racking up placings in the Silver Eagle, the Golden Eagle, the Group 1 Futurity Stakes and the Group 1 Doncaster Mile.
Pericles also resumed his current campaign with a third-place finish in the Group 2 Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 17.
“His last win was in the Tramway on this day 12 months ago, but he’s mixed it with some of the best since in races like the Silver and Golden Eagle, a placing in the Doncaster, unlucky in the Canterbury Stakes and placed in the Futurity,” Cummings said.
“He’s had a couple of almost campaigns, but he hasn’t quite broken through at the top level.”
As a younger horse, Pericles was tried as a stayer, finishing midfield in both the Victoria Derby and the Australian Derby, but as he has got older, the gelding is better suited to a middle distance.
Cummings said he is looking for a strong effort on Saturday as Pericles is being aimed towards the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on September 21.
“He is stronger and tougher as an older horse this prep,” Cummings said.
“We know he improves vastly second-up, and this race fits in nicely as a lead-up to the Underwood where he’ll be ready to go third-up.”
