The Chelmsford Stakes meeting will be held at Randwick this Saturday. The course proper was rated a Soft 6 on Thursday and with fine weather in Sydney leading up to the weekend, Randwick will border on Good/Soft condition on raceday.
The Concorde Stakes emerges as a mini The Everest and the unbeaten Zoustyle has a good chance to continue his winning streak (Sydney Race 6, 1000m). The Queensland trained gelding won all six of his career starts from 1000m to 1200m and he handles any track conditions. While all six horses in The Concorde are resuming, Zoustyle does have residual fitness with him as he had one start (one win) during the winter carnival and he could well have a fitness advantage over this field especially with all these horses are planning to peak on The Everest day. Tony Gollan sent the 4YO to an 840m trial on 13th Aug where Zoustyle duly won by 9 lengths. Zoustyle is fit and in-form and from barrier 4, regular rider Brad Stewart will go straight to the front and Zoustyle could be hard to catch.
Godolphin-owned Avilius could only finished 4th when 1st up in the 1400m Group 1 race and the gelding is ready to make amends in the Chelmsford Stakes on Saturday (Sydney Race 7, 1600m). Last start in the Winx Stakes, eventual winner Samadoubt led and sprinted his last 600m in 33.71 seconds which gave nothing else a chance. Avilius came from second last and put in an admirable effort to finish within a length to Samadoubt. Stepping up to 1600m would suit better and the 6YO loves Randwick having won twice from 3 starts at the venue. With the acceptance of horses like Angel Of Truth, there will be more pressure up front and that would allow Avilius to fly over the top of this field.
John Thompson-trained Dreamforce looks to have conditions to suit in the Tramway Stakes (Sydney Race 8, 1400m). The 7YO had a very successful Autumn campaign finishing 3rd to Winx in the George Ryder Stakes before a mighty 2nd to Brutal in the Doncaster Handicap. The gelding has 2 good trials leading up to his resumption to racing. He has a good 1st up record and 1400m is his pet distance as he only missed a place once from 9 attempts with 5 wins and 3 placings at the trip. The in-form Nash Rawiller will be aboard the 7YO and he’s likely to go forward and sit outside Archedemus. Rawiller could steal a break in the straight and Dreamforce could well be the one they all have to catch.
By Owens Wong, Editor
