the Group 2 Clamms Seafood Feehan Stakes, a race that carries the only golden ticket into the 2022 Ladbrokes Cox Plate. While only a small field, he will face the likes of Group 1 winners Mr Brightside and Inspirational Girl, as well as Valley specialist Forgot You. Raymond brought Earlswood to The Valley last month for a gallop and his first look around the course, with rider Damian Lane giving a glowing report back to his trainer after dismounting. “He changed legs at the right times and got on the right legs around the corners. Obviously, Moonee Valley can be a tight, tricky track and he’s quite a big striding horse. “So, to have that bit of exposure being raceday with the crowd and a bit of music going on was great to see how he handled it. Damian couldn’t have been any more impressed. “It was only a quiet piece of work, but everything we’ve asked him to do, he’s done it, and he’s done it with ease.” After feeling the effects of a Good 3 track at Caulfield earlier this year, Earlswood should also appreciate the rain that has been around Melbourne this week with The Valley currently rated a Soft 6. The new season five-year-old won on a Soft 7 and Heavy 10 overseas and appears adept in all track conditions. Holding a Ladbrokes Cox Plate nomination, he will need to call on all his versatility to win and gain automatic entry into the race on October 22, but options are plenty for the entire as he also has entries for the other two spring majors this season. “The feedback from Ireland, and even Damian, when he came over was that they are confident he should be able to run two miles as well so the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup are certainly not off the cards. “But obviously being an entire, the Cox Plate is quite tempting to make a stud career for him down the track.” With a similar name and the same silks and ownership as country cups champ Wentwood, comparisons are always likely to be drawn between the pair, but Raymond says likening one to the other is unfair. “I could never work them together because he’d break Wentwood’s heart unfortunately. “But he’s been such a great honest horse for us, he taught me a lot about my training career, Wentwood. “He’s been a difficult horse to manage, and I’m privileged to have him in the stables and have him done what he’s done, but Earlswood definitely has a bit of x-factor about him.” Earlswood is currently the $3.90 second elect in Ladbrokes markets for the $500,000 Clamms Seafood Feehan Stakes and will be hoping to upset the favourite Mr Brightside and book his Cox Plate ticket.
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