The Villiers Stakes meeting will be held at Royal Randwick this Saturday. The course proper was rated a Good 4 on Thursday and with showers forecast for Sydney over the next couple of days. Randwick is likely to be racing on a Soft track on raceday.
The Bjorn Baker stable has been in great form recently and Connemara can add to their winning tally in the Summer Racing Handicap (Sydney Race 2, 1100m). This Fastnet Rock mare has won her first two career starts earlier this year before she went for a spell. The 4YO resumed with a good 3rd at Canterbury two weeks ago. All of Connemara’s three starts have been over 1100m with two wins and a 3rd. She will be fitter when 2nd up on Saturday and she’ll be down in the weight with only 53.5kg. With pretty good pace in the race, Andrew Adkins would be able to slot in somewhere mid-field and Connemara will sprint home strongly.
Exoteric has been in terrific form and he can continue his winning way in the Christmas Cup (Sydney Race 4, 2400m). The 6YO gelding has won 3 of his last 6 starts with a further two 2nd placed finish. Exoteric won over this trip (2400m) three starts back in the City Tatts Cup at Randwick. He has won twice with another 3 placings on Soft tracks so the anticipated wet condition will pose no problem. The in-form James McDonald will once again be on board. Nicely drawn in barrier 2, McDonald will sit just behind the pace on the fence and Exoteric will be pretty hard to hold out in the finish.
The up and comer Sky Boy is looking to continue his winning streak in the Group 2 Villiers Stakes (Sydney Race 7, 1600m). The Team Cummings-trained gelding has won his last 4 starts ranging from 1550m to 2000m carrying big weights. Up in class on Saturday but down on the limit weight of only 53kg. Being out of a Zabeel mare, Sky Boy should have no problem handling the anticipated Soft condition. From barrier 9, Christian Reith will go forward and sit outside likely leader Fabrizio and with a light weight on his back, Sky Boy can make it five wins on the trot.
By Owens Wong, Editor
