The George Main Stakes (Colgate Optic White Stakes) meeting will be held at Royal Randwick this Saturday. The course proper was rated a Good 4 on Thursday and with fine weather in Sydney leading up to the weekend, Randwick will be racing on a Good track on raceday.
Lightly raced 4YO Comin’ Through will have conditions to suit in the Bill Ritchie Handicap (Sydney Race 4, 1400m). The Waller-trained stallion has really filled out well since the Autumn carnival and he has come back in good order winning 1st up over this track & distance four weeks ago. Comin’ Through is a good fresh horse so the four weeks between runs would not be a problem. Waller has kept the 4YO up to the mark by sending him over a 1020m trial 11 days ago where he finished 3rd beaten by 0.4 length. Comin’ Through has never missed a place over 1400m and will be down on the minimum weight of 53kg. There aren’t much pace in the race so Michael Walker could use the same tactic from last start by going to the front and try to lead from start to finish.
First up winner Redzel is primed to take out The Shorts on Saturday (Sydney Race 7, 1100m). The Doomben 10,000 winning 5YO has gone on with his good form this preparation by taking out the Concorde Stakes (1000m) 1st up. Redzel loves Randwick having won 3 times with 2 placings from 6 starts at the venue, and 4 wins with 3 placings from 9 attempts at the trip. Champion hoop Hugh Bowman will take over the rein on Saturday and from barrier 5, Bowman will take the gelding straight to the front and Redzel will prove hard to catch.
Trainer Stephen Marsh has set kiwi 5YO Chocante for The Metropolitan and the Spring Cups and see Saturday’s Kingston Town Stakes as an important stepping stone for the Shocking gelding (Saturday, Race 8, 2000m). After a successful Brisbane Cup winning campaign, Chocante has come back well by finishing 3rd first up to the mighty Winx in the WFA Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) a fortnight ago, and the Winx form is good form. Stepping up to 2000m 2nd up will really suit. From barrier 3, Blake Shinn is going to take Chocante forward and sit behind likely leader Classic Uniform. After box-sitting throughout the race, Chocante will be tough to beat in the run home.
By Owens Wong, Editor
