The Verry Elleegant Stakes meeting will be held at Royal Randwick this Saturday (2nd Mar). The course proper was rated a Soft 5 on Thursday and with overcast weather in Sydney over the next couple of days, Randwick could border on Good/Soft condition on raceday.
The Michael Freedman-trained Moravia could be the one to beat in the James Squire Handicap (Sydney Race 2, 1200m). The Snitzel colt showed a lot of promise in his first preparation finishing 2nd in both the San Domenico Stakes and Run To The Rose and he was only beaten 1.5 lengths in the Group 1 Golden Rose. Resumed with an underwhelming 4th in the Eskimo Prince Stakes three weeks ago, Freedman has taken the visors off the colt and added a nose roll, a move hopefully will help keep the 3YO more settled and focused. Tommy Berry will sit one off one back in a coveted spot and Moravia will mow the leaders down the Randwick straight.
Top weight Redstone Well is the highest rated horse in the Yarraman Park Handicap and the gelding can win accordingly (Sydney Race 5, 2000m). This Annabel Neasham-trained 5YO finished with purpose when winning last start at this venue with James McDonald on board and McDonald will once again have the mount on Saturday. Redstone Well is ready to step up to 2000m being fourth-up and he handles any track conditions. Drawn beautifully in barrier 2, McDonald will go forward and box seat with a cosy run. Redstone Well will be raring to go rounding the home turn.
After her first-up victory in the Apollo Stakes, Fangirl can continue her winning streak by taking out the Verry Elleegant Stakes (Sydney Race 7, 1600m). The Waller-trained 5YO has returned in terrific order when she cruised up to win the Apollo Stakes. The Sebring mare has a pretty good record at 1600m and she loves Randwick having won five times with a further four placings at the venue, including victory in the King Charles III Stakes last campaign. She can also handle any track conditions. James McDonald knows the horse well and he will settle mid-field and Fangirl will prove too strong in the run home.
By Owens Wong
