2008 Yalumba Stakes – 11 October 2008

The Yalumba Stakes is a Group 1 standard weight-for-age race for three-year-olds and upwards over 2000 metres that is steeped in history and was first run in 1886. This year the $400,000 race has a field of eight runners, of which three are already Group 1 weight-for-age winners – Pompeii Ruler, Sirmione and Casual Pass. Both Bart Cummings and David Hayes have two runners each in the field.

The early favourite is Pompeii Ruler at $2.25. He was the runner-up to Casual Pass in the 2006 Yalumba before finishing third in the Cox Plate. The six-year old has had four runs so far this campaign, and although he hasn’t won any of them he has two good placings behind Weekend Hussler and a fourth in last weeks Turnbull Stakes.

Second favourite in the early market is the Hayes trained Guillotine, who has won two of his three starts this campaign. Hayes believes both Guillotine and his other runner Largo Lad have genuine chances of winning the Yalumba Stakes. Largo Lad has been racing in weaker company and made good ground up last week in a 1720 metre handicap, suggesting he is looking for the distance. Hayes hopes he will do well to try and gain a Melbourne Cup start for him.

Sirmione is third favourite. His last win was the Australian Cup over 2000 metres at Flemington in March. Damien Oliver will be riding him. Cummings also has the 2008 Brisbane Cup winner Viewed in the race. Viewed has had two starts this time in and has finished them both off strongly. Bart is still looking for that elusive 250th Group 1 win!

The oldest runner in the race is the eight-year-old Casual Pass who won the 2006 Yalumba Stakes. The horse has had some horrific injuries throughout his career and requires patience and special care. He hasn’t won since 2006 but has had some good runs this time in, including second in the Feehan. An eight-year-old hasn’t won the Yalumba since Rough Habit in 1994. The last horse to win the race twice was Lonhro who won in 2002 and 2003.

The horse that wins the Yalumba is exempt from the Caulfield Cup ballot. Currently last year’s Caulfield Cup runner-up, Douro Valley, and this year’s Brisbane Cup winner, Viewed, are equal 17th in order, along with three other horses, to gain a run in the field of 18 plus emergencies. However the winner of Saturday’s Winning Edge Presentation Stakes (2400m) also gains a ballot-free run into the Caulfield Cup which is likely to push them further down the list. Connections of both will be hoping for an upset win.

by Jo Jackson