Napoleonic returns to scene of breakout spring performance

The John O’Shea and Tom Charlton stable is looking forward to returning to Melbourne with the promising Napoleonic.

A three-time winner from 12 starts, Napoleonic has raced just once in Melbourne, registering a 4-¼ length victory at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Day last year.

It was that victory that had those connected with Napoleonic excited for what lay ahead, but it was also the son of Wootton Bassett’s last success.

The entire returns to Melbourne on Sunday for a tilt at the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield as, unfortunately for connections, the Moonee Valley circuit is undergoing a rebuild.

“We’re looking forward to getting him back down to Melbourne,” Charlton said.

“Obviously he was effective around the Valley as a three-year-old and we feel that he’s the sort of horse that can handle Caulfield well.

“We’ve been pleased with him. We thought his first-up run in the Missile was a really good performance.

“That should be a strong form race, and he’s had bit of time since that run, but he appreciates that, and he had a nice, strong trial last week.”

After racing in Brisbane during the winter which saw Napoleonic run third to Rothfire and Spicy Martini in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000, the four-year-old has not raced since running second to Ninja at Randwick on August 8.

He did win a trial at Randwick on September 11, and the Manikato Stakes has been a long-range plan for the entire.

“He’s a horse that we’re trying to win a Group 1 with, and this was a good option for him,” Charlton said.

“This has certainly been the plan since the Missile, anyway.”

Charlton said beyond Sunday’s Group 1 contest, there are no specific plans.

“We’ll get through Sunday, but there will be plenty of options in Sydney or back in Melbourne at the end of the Carnival,” Charlton said.

“We felt that his best form has probably come over 1200 metres, so we’re probably thinking he’s more of a sprinter.”