Trainer Lionel Cohen has confirmed that Aeronautical will run in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday rather than the Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick.
Aeronautical will return to Melbourne for the first time since he finished third behind Shamexpress in the Newmarket Handicap.
Cohen admitted that it would be easier to remain in Sydney for the weight-for-age Premiere Stakes but told TVN that he believes Aeronautical is better suited to the set weight plus penalties conditions in the Gilgai Stakes.
“The Premier Stakes is run under weight-for-age conditions whereas the Gilgai is set weights and penalties, where he will carry only 55.5kg.
“It is a lot easier to stay at home and race at Randwick but I think the Gilgai is more suitable for the horse.”
Aeronautical returned to the races with a narrow second place finish behind Sessions in the Group 2 The Shorts (1100m) at Royal Randwick on September 21 and Cohen said that he was delighted with the performance and is confident the son of Encosta De Lago will run well this weekend.
“I think now as a five-year-old he is a lot more mature and Jimmy (Cassidy) showed that he doesn’t just have to go back to last and then storm home at the finish when it is too late,” Cohen said.
“We’ve taken our time with him, he has only had 22 starts and I think his best racing is still ahead of him.”
Aeronautical will get the opportunity to turn the tables on Sessions in the Gilgai Stakes after the classy entire was also included in the nominations for the $220,000 Group 2 event.
Hoofnote:
Aeronautical is bred on the highly successful Encosta De Lago x Fusaichi Pegasus cross which has had outstanding success from limited opportunities. Dynamic Syndications are thrilled to see Aeronautical back and firing as it further justifies our pedigree rating system and highlights what an outstanding purchase our Encosta De Lago x Fusaichi Rose filly from the Inglis East Yearling Sale was.