The Championships of racing are upon us with PRIVATE EYE set to take his place in the $3 million Group 1 Doncaster Mile but Sydney’s relentless autumnal rain is showing no signs of stopping.
With 78mm recorded at Randwick on Monday night, it’s hard to envisage we will be racing on anything other than a heavy (10) come Saturday, if indeed the meeting proceeds at all. The forecast for the week indicates that a further 65mm could fall before raceday.
Curiously, PRIVATE EYE has been pegged by form analysts as a ‘wet-tracker’ owing to his two wins and a third from four runs on heavy ground, however trainer Joe Pride is adamant the horse can sprint more effectively on good to soft surfaces as was seen in last year’s Epsom triumph on a good (4).
At the Doncaster barrier draw on Tuesday PRIVATE EYE drew gate 22 of 24. Whilst not ideal, starting from a wide gate on a heavy track may prove to be a blessing in disguise as the inside section of the course is likely to be chopped up from the wet conditions, particularly late in the day when the Doncaster is scheduled.
Ultimately, it will be up to jockey Regan Bayliss to find the best part of the track and give PRIVATE EYE a chance to become just the seventh horse in history to complete the Epsom-Doncaster double in the same season after Happy Clapper (2018), Winx (2016), Super Impose (1991), Authentic Heir (1976), Gunsynd (1972) and Chatham (1934).
One Proven horse that has relished Sydney’s big wet is undoubtedly STOCKMAN, who was herculean in running second to DUAIS in the $1.5 million Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Newcastle on Monday after rain forced the majority of the meeting to be postponed from Rosehill Saturday.
STOCKMAN will accept for this Saturday’s Group 2 Chairman’s Quality, in which he is the 59kg topweight, however Joe is undecided on whether the son of TAVISTOCK will need another hit-out before Saturday week’s $2 million Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) where he will plunge 8kg in weight to 51kg under the handicap conditions.
Meanwhile in south-east Queensland, rain has also been persistent and threatens to wash out some upcoming fixtures. Officials have already announced that Saturday’s meeting originally scheduled for Doomben has been switched to Eagle Farm which has superior drainage.
To ensure you stay up to date on all our available horses, join our mailing list by entering your name and email address at the bottom right section of the HOME page.
BLACK BOOKER
No black booker this week.
Upcoming Proven Thoroughbreds runners
Canberra Wednesday March 30
Maiden Handicap 1400m:
STANDOVER MAN
Joe Pride/Mitchell Bell
Comment: Struck a very heavy track on debut at Goulburn and just battled away to the line. Trials indicated some ability and a drier track here could spark sharp improvement.
Ipswich Thursday March 31
Class 1 Handicap 1350m:
COME CLEAN
Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted/Samantha Collett
Comment: Sound effort first-up at the Sunshine Coast when making up good ground to finish on the heels of the placegetters. Better for the run and can go on with it now.
Sunshine Coast Friday April 2
QTIS 3YO Benchmark 62 Handicap 1200m:
THATFEELSBETTER
Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted/TBA
Comment: First-up. Consistent type who boasts a second to PRINCE OF BOOM. Been prominent in both lead-up trials so expecting him to be figuring somewhere in the finish again.
KARAOKE QUEEN
Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted/Boris Thornton
Comment: Made up good ground late when first-up at Eagle Farm over 1000m. Fitter and further are pluses and looks to have a class edge on her rivals in this grade.
Class 2 Handicap 1200m:
SECRET TALES
Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted/TBA
Comment: Didn’t come up last preparation after showing significant promise in her 2YO season. Trials this time in have been good so hoping she can rediscover her best form in what looks a winnable race first-up.
Randwick Saturday April 2
Group 1 Doncaster Mile 1600m:
PRIVATE EYE
Joe Pride/Regan Bayliss
Comment: Looks beautifully placed coming back from weight-for-age to handicap conditions and only goes up 1.5kg on last year’s Epsom win over the same track and distance. Barrier and heavy track the big queries.
Group 2 Chairman’s Stakes 2600m:
STOCKMAN
Joe Pride/TBA
Comment: In career best form having produced a mighty run at weight-for-age conditions last start. No certainty to start here but has to be respected dropping back to this company on a heavy track. Looks right on track for the Sydney Cup next week.
Eagle Farm Saturday March
2YO Handicap 1400m:
HANG FIVE
Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted/TBA
Comment: Impressive winner over 1200m here last start and 1400m doesn’t appear as though it will pose any problems for him.
