Bendigo galloper Setinum looks set for a big spring campaign following a gallant run in last Saturday’s $400,000 Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m).
On the back of his first-up win in the listed Regal Roller Stakes the emerging four-year-old drew unfavourably in barrier 15 and had to endure a wide, tough run outside the leader. Caught three deep in the early stages, Setinum overraced but still loomed in the straight before tiring to finish just 2¾ lengths from winner Boban in 11th place.
“The run told me he is certainly up to that class. He still finished amongst some nice horses when he wasn’t entitled to,” trainer Shane Fliedner told Winning Post this week.
The son of Holy Roman Emperor has been underrated for most of his career and his trainer is hoping he can stamp himself as a genuine spring contender at Flemington on Saturday week.
Fliedner is considering both the $200,000 Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) and the $120,000 Sofitel Handicap (1400m).
“He pulled up pretty good. I just don’t want to push him up in distance after a tough run … I think he’ll be at his best over 1600-2000 metres,” he explained.
While Setinum holds a nomination for the Cox Plate, Fliedner says it’s unlikely his stable star will head in that direction this season. The $200,000 Group 2 Schweppes Crystal Mile (1600m) on the same day is a more likely target.
Judge rules
Rod Symons’s three-hour trip to Wodonga on Monday proved profitable when Judge Jeuny came home with the goods in the $16,000 Bill McGrath Engineering 0-58 Handicap (2050m).
Judge Jeuny maintained an unbeaten record in 0-58 class, having saluted at his only other attempt in that grade at Donald in August 2014.
Installed a $2.70 favourite, the son of Testafiable appreciated a return to heavy conditions.
He now has two wins and five minor placings from nine starts on heavy tracks.
One of two winners on the day for apprentice Dylan Dunn, Judge Jeuny settled midfield but raced ungenerously at times. Coming into the straight the five-year-old stamped his authority and strode out to win by two lengths.
Judge Jeuny has placed in showcase company on five occasions this campaign and Monday’s well deserved third career win took his earnings to $66,285.
Symons bred Judge Jeuny from his winning race mare Jeunabba. Another of her sons, Strategic Jeuny, finished seventh in a maiden for Symons at the Wodonga meeting.
Bendigo tops for service
The Bendigo Jockey Club was named country Victoria’s best club for customer service at the Country Racing Victoria awards in Melbourne last Saturday night.
The award is based on racecourse presentation, staff and service, on-course facilities and food/beverage options.
Bendigo hosts an eight-race program on Friday with gates opening at 11am.