https://www.racing.com/news/2024-10-20/news-contenders-lofty-g1-aim-still-an-option-201024
Alex Rae has a decision to make regarding Lofty Arch’s next start, as the exciting colt posted an impressive frontrunning win in the Listed Gothic Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.
The highly rated son of Snitzel took a while to cross the field, but always looked comfortable after doing so, taking his rivals off the bit one by one and kicking strongly in the straight under Ethan Brown.
Reece Goodwin’s Lovelycut made huge ground first-up, claiming an all-important black-type placing in the process, but ran out of time to catch the winner, who was by no means stopping on the line.
With Lofty Arch pulling up well on Sunday morning, the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington now beckons, but Rae said the team will take their time before deciding whether to press on to the elite level.
“We’ll just continue to put the horse first. Obviously, we’ve got the Coolmore in a fortnight, but we don’t want to be making up any numbers in a race like that,” he said.
“The owners have been very patient with him, but he’s always shown a fair bit, so they’ve been pretty aggressive in the way they’ve wanted to place him and I’m fully on board with that.
“He’s a top-quality colt and he’s going to be an even better horse in the autumn… we’ll monitor him for the next 48 hours and do what’s best for him.”
WATCH: Lofty Arch’s win in the Gothic Stakes at Caulfield
The win was Rae’s first as a trainer at Stakes grade, and he was thrilled to share the moment with his team, including brother and foreman Chuck, on such a momentous day.
“You’re only as good as the people around you, so full credit to my staff, they work their backsides off,” he said.
“Especially my little brother Chuck, he’s my right-hand man, and things are enjoyable when you win a Stakes race on Caulfield Cup Day.
“We’re really lucky at the moment. Getting support from (owners) Paul Lofitis and Todd Wilson is overwhelming sometimes.”
With Lofty Arch comfortable at the sprinting trips in his three starts to date, Rae has no plans to change things up anytime soon.
Lofty ArchTrainer A.G.RaeAge3YOSexColtColourBayPrize Money$133,875Last 5151Career3-2-0-0
However, given the colt’s ability, massive frame and lengthy stride, the Cranbourne-based trainer is excited by the possibilities of stretching him out over longer trips in time.
“He’s doing everything right over the short course trips at the moment, so we’ll probably just keep him to that.
“But we think he can get further – he’s got a wonderful temperament for it, and he switches off really nicely, so he’s every chance.
“He does take a bit of work, he’s a big burly colt, so keeping him in one piece is priority for now.”