Sydney’s ominous weather is playing havoc with plans for Group 1 winner PRIVATE EYE.
PRIVATE EYE (pictured) is an acceptor for Saturday’s Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick but is unlikely to run if the track is worse than a Soft 6. Up to 140mm of rain is forecast in Sydney between Wednesday and Saturday. If only a quarter of that arrives we are likely to be on a heavy track come Saturday.
Unfortunately it has become a common theme at Randwick during the Championships, with 16 of the last 17 Doncaster days conducted on a rain affected track.
Alternatives for PRIVATE EYE include the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) back at Randwick in a fortnight and a Brisbane campaign.
One Proven horse set to relish the conditions is STOCKMAN in the Chairman’s Quality while Doncaster Mile contender THINK ABOUT IT is untried on a heavy track.
But the heavens haven’t stopped inspections for the Inglis Easter Yearling sale from getting underway, with the first lot to go through the ring on Sunday.
Inglis Riverside will also be the venue for our Joe Pride/Kerry Parker open morning on Sunday, April 14. More details on that event HERE.
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SIRE ON FIRE – SAVABEEL
His star filly ORCHESTRAL won the G1 Vinery Stud Stakes last weekend at Rosehill while ATISHU, also by SAVABEEL, finished third in the G1 Australian Cup. The son of superstar sire ZABEEL, will have two runners in Group 1 races this weekend – I WISH I WIN in the T J Smith Stakes and progressive 3YO WYMARK in the Australian Derby.
BLACK BOOKER
No black booker this week
BET WITH NIC
Our resident times analyst Nic Ashman is in the corner of ZARDOZI in the Derby.
“There was nothing between ZARDOZI and RIFF ROCKET in terms of their respective wins in last year’s Oaks and Derby in Victoria. But I think the likelihood of a wet track makes ZARDOZI more appealing. Her sectionals suggest she is more of a natural stayer than RIFF ROCKET and with the predicted bog conditions, she will be very hard to beat.”
Upcoming Proven Thoroughbreds runners
Doomben Wednesday April 3
Maiden Handicap 1650m
TRAVIATA
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Justin Huxtable
Comment: She comes off a strong closing effort over 1400m where she was forced to go back from a wide gate. Steps up to the mile for the first time and maps to get a lovely run much closer here.
Class 1 Plate 1110m
POLARISING
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Boris Thornton
Comment: She’s going well this prep with a strong win first-up on a heavy 10 then a commendable run last time when switching back to dry ground. Some give in the track here should suit.
Randwick Saturday April 6
Group 2 Chairman’s Quality 2600m
STOCKMAN
Joe Pride/Reece Jones
Comment: For some this weather is Armageddon but this is Stocky’s time to shine. An absolute mudlark who is very well placed at the weights in this. Hard to see him running a bad race.
Group 1 Doncaster Mile 1600m
THINK ABOUT IT
Joe Pride/Sam Clipperton
Comment: It’s the first time we see him at a mile, possibly on the wettest track he’s seen and with 57kg. Those are the queries but there’s no doubting his class and he’s had to be used up early in his two runs this prep. Looking for a more economical run in transit to help him finish off.
Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes 1200m
PRIVATE EYE
Joe Pride/Blake Shinn
Comment: All eyes on the sky but he’s had little luck this prep with poor race shapes and wide gates. If the track is Soft 6 or better then he’s right in this given his record over the course and distance which includes two placings in the Everest.
Eagle Farm Saturday April 6
BM68 Handicap 1400m
OCEAN ZAR
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/Cejay Graham
Comment: No luck at all last time out and possibly gets caught wide here from an awkward gate. But she’s flying this campaign, running fast times versus the class benchmark and this is her pet trip.
Kembla Grange Tuesday April 9
Provincial Class 1 Handicap 1500m
FLYING BANDIT
Kerry Parker/TBA
Comment: Sprinted hard off a slow speed to break his maiden over 1300m at Goulburn last start. His last 400m ranked 4th for the meeting and was more than seven lengths faster than average for maiden grade. Rise in distance looks ideal.
