Racing
One more UK start for Carl
Another start in the UK is on the cards for Carl Spackler before he makes his way to Australia.
US galloper Carl Spackler will have one more start in the UK before he is transported to Australia for a tilt at the Cox Plate.
The high-priced Yulong purchase is a three-time Grade 1 winner in the UK and ran for Ciaron Maher when sixth in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot last week.
The Group 1 Sussex Stakes over a mile at Goodwood on July 30 is a race in which Carl Spackler holds a nomination for.
Jack Turnbull, the National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, said he had spoken to Maher regarding plans for Carl Spackler.
He said Maher was going to talk to the team involved with Carl Spackler to determine his path.
"The Cox Plate has been voiced as being our premier race, but he is effective at a mile having won three Grade 1 races," Turnbull said.
"What path he takes to get there (Cox Plate), we haven't etched out yet, but his Grand Final could possibly be the Cox Plate."
Turnbull said Carl Spackler's first run for the stable was 'solid', after being keen early.
"He travelled strong for the first furlong, 300 metres, but Ciaron was pleased with what he saw," Turnbull said.
"He pulled up well and will have one more run over there and then come out to Australia."
Carl Spackler is owned in the same interests as last year's Cox Plate winner Via Sistina.
Turnbull is looking forward to seeing the upcoming autumn campaign of Another Wil who is heading down the path to the Cox Plate.
Another Wil won his maiden Group 1 at Caulfield last February before finishing fourth in the All-Star Mile and then running sixth in the Doncaster Mile in Sydney.
The rising six-year-old, who has raced just 16 times, is up at Bob's Farm, north of Newcastle and about to start his spring preparation.
"He has done very well. We treated him like he was having an English spell," Turnbull said.
"He was boxed at night but out in a grass paddock during the day and he's put on about 30 or 40 kilos, which for him is quite something as he's quite an anxious horse.
"For him to do that well and hold his condition is exciting, so hopefully that translates to performance and hopefully it culminates in the Cox Plate."
Turnbull said no definitive campaign had been programmed for the stars of the Maher team.
"They've all got a skeleton of a program, depending on when they need to be going and up to jumping out, but no doubt Another Wil's Grand Final is the Cox Plate," Turnbull said.
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