Trainer Darren Weir is keen to back up Cliff’s Edge (by Ridgemont Highlands sire Canford Cliffs, pictured) at Flemington next week after a tough win in the Group 2 $200,000 Schweppes Crystal Mile (1600m) at The Valley.
Weir had the option of stepping Cliff’s Edge up to the 2000m of the Group 1 $2m Seppelt Mackinnon Stakes (Emirates Stakes) at Flemington in two weeks but looks likely to prefer to run the four year old over the 1600m again in the Group 1 $1m Kennedy Mile next Saturday.
“He has got the perfect racing style,” Weir said. “He never runs bad, has the perfect racing style up on the speed, makes your own luck.”
“He controlled the race. We were hoping to lead but that didn’t happen, but up outside the leader was fine. He just put himself in a position on the corner to be able to win the race.”
“Hopefully he can have a good week and he can back up next Saturday in the Kennedy Mile.”
Winning jockey John Allen had Cliff’s Edge quickly into stride and sat at the leader’s girth before putting the pressure on at the 400m mark.
Cliff’s Edge and Siege Of Quebec eye balled each on the home turn and the Weir toughness came to the fore with Cliff’s Edge toughing it out to the line to record a first class win.
Canford Cliffs stood his first season at stud in South Africa in 2018. He is aChampion 3yo male miler in UK & Ireland, as well as Champion Older male miler in UK and Timeform Rated 133. He stands at Highlands, Part Of Ridgemont, for a fee of R30 000.
-extract www.races.com.au
Image: Candiese Marnewick
