Derby berth awaits Cossetot, Alizee hoping for a drying track at Rosehill

A start in Australia’s premier three-year-old classic is in the balance for the improving Cossetot when he runs in Saturday’s G2 Tulloch Stakes at Rosehill.

Cossetot (Craig Williams) comes to the traditional G1 Australian Derby lead-up with a minor Derby victory against his name in Tasmania and having turned in encouraging performances in his two starts since, the latest a third placing in the G2 Alister Clark Stakes at Moonee Valley.

A half-brother to last week’s G1 Golden Slipper winner Kiamichi, Cossetot showed plenty of grit to keep himself in the picture until the last stride at Moonee Valley and looks suited by a move up to the 2,400m of next week’s Derby.

But first, he must deal with a handy field at Rosehill that includes the New Zealand 2000 Guineas winner Madison County, the New Zealand Derby runner-up In A Twinkling and the third placegetter in that race, Platinum Invador.

Trainer James Cummings said Cossetot had handled his preparation in style.

“Cossetot has proved his toughness and has endured this campaign really well,” he said.

“He turned in a couple of stern efforts in the Autumn Classic and Alister Clark Stakes in Melbourne and on the back of that he looks capable of being competitive in this race."

“Another effort like that could book him a place in the ATC Derby.”

 The Rosehill meeting will also determine the next path of star filly Alizee (Blake Shinn) who is looking to return to top form in the G2 Emancipation Stakes. 

“Alizee’s in top order since she ran a gallant third at weight-for-age in the All-Star Mile,” Cummings said.

“The drop back in class to a set weights and penalties race here is in her favour, but the track needs to improve rapidly for her to be comfortable.”

A good performance here will open the way for Alizee to return to G1 competition at next month’s Randwick meeting.

In other Stakes action at Rosehill, Trekking (Kerrin McEvoy) continues his campaign in the G3 Star Kingdom Stakes, although a start may depend on the track condition, and the filly La Tene ( James McDonald) follows her G2 Sires Produce Stakes win in Melbourne with an appearance in the G3 Schweppervescene.

“Trekking went nicely even though he was unsuited in the heavy going last time in the G3 Maurice McCarten Stakes, but it’s our feeling that he’ll be more suited on better ground,” Cummings said.

“La Tene has thrived over the past fortnight and will be strong again."

“The filly is still on the way up and her attitude hasn’t waned since she fended off all-comers in the Sires Produce.”