Araldo Spot on for Group Three Assignment

The highly regarded and up and coming stayer, Araldo (pictured), is right on target for this weekend’s assignment in the Group 3 Jack London Naturalism Stakes over 2000m at Caulfield on Saturday.

The seven-year-old entire by High Chaparral has won a total of four races, in both hemispheres, including last season’s VRC Listed Bart Cumming Stakes before running third in the Lexus and unfortunately ending his spring campaign through injury.

Araldo resumed in the MRC Listed Heatherly Stakes late last month and produced an eye catching 7th in the hands of Glen Boss.

Jockey Glen Boss retains the ride on the exciting galloper and trainer Mike Moroney is elated with how the horse has prepared going into Saturday’s race.

“He is cherry ripe for this weekend and I couldn’t be happier with him,” said Moroney.

“The step up to 2000m will play hugely in his favour and he has been set for this,” he said, adding that “I have a lot of confidence about this horse and I think that he is a very good stayer.”

Araldo is currently sitting 62nd in the order of entry for the 2014 Caulfield Cup and will need to win the ballot-exempt Naturalism Stakes to be certain of a start in the Group 1 event at Caulfield on October 18.

Lord Barrington joins his stable mate at Caulfield and will line up in the first on the card in the Pancare Foundation Plate over 1000m.

He ran a credible fourth last start when resuming and jockey Steven Arnold hops back in the saddle after partnering the son of Darci Brahma in his first win, and only start, as a juvenile.

“It’s an even field, but he has been working well and I think he is going to be competitive,” said Moroney.

The last of the trio of runners to be represented at Caulfield is African Pulse who ran fifth in his last start at Moonee Valley in the Listed Carlyon Stakes over 1000m.

African Pulse will be ridden by apprentice jockey Jordan Childs – giving him a 3kg weight relief.

Moroney made comment his work is back near his best and “we should see him back in form” on Saturday.

“He has drawn ideally and the claim from Jordan (Childs) will be of great benefit,” he said.

Savvy Dancer improved in his second up run and Mike feels he will improve again when lining up in the first on the card at Morphettville on Saturday.

Devonshire Duke will look to continue his strong run of form when he races at Randwick tomorrow in the Rating 85 Handicap over 1600m with Blake Shinn engaged for riding duties,.