Cup Tumble Hasn't Derailed Hughes' The 715 Hopes

STAYING star Late Night News remains on track for The Ladbrokes 715 after coming through a fall in Saturday night's Association Cup Final unscathed.

Trainer Caroline Hughes trialled the gifted son of Fernando Bale at The Gardens on Tuesday, just 72 hours after taking a tumble in the group 1 decider as favourite.  

And he went sensational, running 41.42 for the 715 metres at his debut at the track, just two-tenths off Valpolicella's 41.23 track record, established in last year's The 715 finale.

“He went fantastic, railed like a bird and couldn't have been happier with that time,” Hughes beamed.

"We went through a range of emotions on Saturday night but thankfully he came through it all in one piece.

"My vet went over him thoroughly on Sunday and gave him the all clear to trial today (Tuesday) to prepare for The 715.

"He'll miss the Newcastle Cup on Saturday night and be saved for the heats of The 715 which are on the following Thursday."

Winner at 13 of his 28 starts, Late Night News, winner of the Group 2 Summer Distance Plate in January, is the current The 715 favourite in all in betting at $3.40.

Heats of the $250,000-the-winner series will be run and won at The Gardens on April 24 ahead of the rich finale on Friday, May 2.

But Hughes admits the lucrative series was the furthest thing from her mind after her star stayer took a tumble at headquarters on Saturday night.

"I was catching him and it all happened so quickly; I didn't even know it was him that fell (with I'm Sally) until someone told me," Hughes said.

"Thankfully they got both dogs at the 700m boxes the second time around and it was a relief when I saw Trevor walking him back to the kennels.

"On Sunday he was bouncing around at home being himself and the vet gave him the all clear as well. 

"He didn't have much of a hitout on Saturday so I gave him the full 700m trial at The Gardens."  

Late Night News is the current $3.40 The Ladbrokes 715 favourite ahead of former WA stayer Max Capacity, which ran second in Saturday night's Association Cup, at $4.50.