Sheila Laxon has not been back to the Flemington winner’s room since the first Tuesday in November a couple of years ago, but she is optimistic of a return this Saturday.
The Macedon Lodge trainer and her partner John Symons have three Finals Day shots at their first Flemington winner since Knight’s Choice’s blowout win in the 2024 Melbourne Cup.
Star Of Macedon is favourite for the $175,000 Listed Taj Rossi Series Final (1600m), Mission Of Love will contest the $150,000 Banjo Paterson Series Final (2600m) and Nihancan is in the $200,000 Mahogany Series Final (2500m).
Those races have been the winter goal for each horse and Laxon is excited about seeing what they can do.
“I think we should have a good day,” Laxon, who also won the 2001 Melbourne Cup with Ethereal, said.
“I think they can all run in the first three on what they’ve done at home, all going well in their races.”
Mission Of Love is a $21 chance and Nihancan $41 with Star Of Macedon the most respected by odds-makers, who have the two-year-old Zoustar colt favourite marginally from Marwooba.
Star Of Macedon is yet to win in three starts, but is yet to miss a place, including an unlucky third placing in the 1420m event at Flemington on June 20 that contained a number of this Saturday’s 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 said.
“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 hopes their planning will involve plotting a path towards 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 said.
“Hopefully he’s as good as we think he is.”
Star Of Macedon will start from barrier seven in the eight-horse Taj Rossi Final with Dylan Dunn, who has ridden him in all starts to date, retaining the ride.
