Saturday racing in Sydney is again under threat from wet weather that has seen more than 160mm fall in the metropolitan area this week.
ELLE HUDSON (pictured) and OTONO have accepted for the Randwick meeting but we are bracing ourselves for another postponement or abandonment. Sydney’s big wet has already disrupted ELLE HUDSON’s program once this preparation so it would be frustrating to see his race on Saturday wiped out again as he is ready to win.
The rain should clear in time for Sunday’s Goulburn Cup meeting to proceed, where we have talented stayer FLYING BANDIT resuming in the feature race for Kerry Parker. The ‘BANDIT’ is being prepared for a potential tilt at the Group 1 Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick in October so we are looking forward to his return to action, albeit in a race well short of his best distance.
Should Sydney’s wet weather persist, we do have one mudlark waiting in the wings – IN FLIGHT. The three-time stakes winner was initially slated to return in the Group 2 the Shorts (1100m) next month however given the prevailing weather, trainer Joe Pride has decided to bring forward her first-up run to the Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Randwick in a fortnight. In preparation for that $1 million event, she will trial on her home track of Warwick Farm this Friday.
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SIRE ON FIRE – WRITTEN TYCOON
He’s not getting any younger but barely a week goes by without his progeny featuring in black type races and last Saturday he produced the Rosebud quinella. The winner SKYHOOK is shaping as a genuine prospect for the spring majors for 3yos. Another of his 3yo’s TYCOON STAR was brave in defeat in the Vain Stakes.
BLACK BOOKER – NAVAL TRADER
Put in the best run of his life first-up at Doomben last Saturday when running on from the back and narrowly missing the well performed NETTUNO. Has a great second-up record (5:1-2-1) and sure to improve over further than 1200m.
Upcoming Proven Thoroughbreds runners
Heyoka Wednesday August 13
BM70 Handicap 1100m
HEYOKA
Matt Hoysted/Ryan Maloney
Comment: Resuming (4:2-0-1). Might find some of her rivals a bit slick around this track and distance but has the runs on the board to justify favouritism.
Randwick Saturday August 23
BM78 Handicap 2400m
ELLE HUDSON
Joe Pride/Alysha Collett
Comment: Ran on resolutely into fourth in the Wyong Cup Prelude last Sunday carrying an unsuitable weight under the set weights conditions. Gets in much better here and the 2400m on a heavy surface poses no problems. Value
Midway Handicap 1200m
OTONO
Kerry Parker/Jay Ford
Comment: Came a long way in a short space of time last preparation, winning three of her last four starts. Has won in soft (6) conditions but yet to race on anything worse so the track is an unknown factor.
Eagle Farm Saturday August 23
BM78 Handicap 1200m
TOWN CRIER
Matt Hoysted/Luke Dempsey
Comment: Only collared late first-up and has since trialled very well but does have to contend with a wide barrier here so will need some luck in the early stages. Racing in great spirit so must be considered an each way hope.
Gold Coast Poly Saturday August 23
BM65 Handicap 1100m
ZATANNA
Matt Hoysted/Jaden Lloyd
Comment: Overdid things up front and unsurprisingly compounded late to finish at the tail, 7.45 lengths from the winner at Ipswich. Now heads to the Gold Coast Poly Track where she won three starts ago.
Newcastle Saturday August 23
Midway Maiden Plate 900m
MOVER AND SHAKER
Kerry Parker/Adrian Layt
Comment: Coming off a setback after placing at the Sapphire Coast first-up. Has since trialled very well on her home track so could surprise and break through for her maiden win.
Goulburn Sunday August 24
Goulburn Cup 1400m
FLYING BANDIT
Kerry Parker/Jay Ford
Comment: Classy stayer resuming. Has won here and will appreciate some give in the ground but likely to find some others a bit too sharp over this distance. Look for him to be steaming home late.
Guy Walter F&M Class 3 Handicap 1300m
OTONO
Kerry Parker/TBA
Comment: Came a long way in a short space of time last preparation, winning three of her last four starts. Has won in soft (6) conditions but yet to race on anything worse so the track is an unknown factor.
Grafton Monday August 25
BM58 Handicap 1600m
MELTDOWN
Matt Hoysted/Andrew Mallyon
Comment: Made some ground late at Ipswich after doing plenty wrong in the run. Still learning the caper but needs to win coming back to this company.
