From Edward Cummings
Horse: Arts
Message: (Saturday, Randwick 6, ATC Oaks) At certain points we thought perhaps the autumn was going to get away from us and we were better off targeting Queensland. She had genuine excuses in the Kembla Grange Classic, she had trialled well in the interim and that gave everyone confidence that going to the Adrian Knox would be a good stepping stone as far as the big race is concerned. The way she won was a surprise, without a doubt, the way she hit the line the last 50 or 100m was exciting. We felt going onto the track her coat was a long way off being anywhere near her best. For her to perform like that was encouraging and exciting. I don’t think it has taken too much out of her. She definitely travelled too keenly in the run but I think with the benefit of that run and that experience she will be better again on Saturday. We have a wonderful opportunity for her to run in a Group 1 very early in her career. She has a natural talent for staying, she’s a very natural breather, and she’s going to be a genuine chance in the race.
From Kylie Gavenlock
Horse: Audette
Message: (Saturday, Randwick 4, Provincial – Midway Championships Final) She doesn’t know how to run a bad race and I’m sure she won’t on Saturday. She’s got a great record and she’s earned the right to be there. Audette has only ever raced on soft or heavy tracks and she clearly loves the wet. If they get another couple of showers it won’t worry me. I know we’ll get through it. It slows a few of the others down though. Andrew Adkins will ride Audette on Saturday after being aboard for her first two runs in this preparation.
From Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
Horse: Autumn Ballet
Message: (Saturday, Randwick 3, Percy Sykes Stakes) Autumn Ballet has trained on well from her impressive debut win in the Group 3 Black Opal Stakes last month. I think it was soft enough conditions on the day at Canberra and she looked effective through it. She’s got a lot of upside, we’ve tried to keep her up to the mark in between. She’ll head out after this and focus on the three-year-old season but it is a nice target for her.
Horse: Knight’s Order
Message: (Saturday, Randwick 7, Sydney Cup) He’s been building nicely towards this race, he’s followed a similar preparation and hopefully he’s ready to peak on Saturday. He’s proven at two miles and in the track conditions, he’s got to carry a bit more weight this time around but he’s got to be in the mix.
Horse: Sir Lucan
Message: (Saturday, Randwick 7, Sydney Cup) I thought he had genuine excuses on the day as to why he didn’t run up to expectations (in the Tancred) but back to handicap conditions will suit him. He should be effective over the two miles, the track conditions will be the unknown for him but outside that he seems well in himself and he’s come through that last run in great shape.
Horse: Alcohol Free
Message: (Saturday, Randwick 9, Queen Of The Turf Stakes) She comes with a lofty reputation. What she did in the UK was outstanding, with her last two runs a win in the Group 1 July Cup and a third to superstar Baaeed at Group 1 over a mile, and she now has to do it here. It’d be hard to bring that form first-up here in Australia, what we’ve seen from her at her best in the peak of her career. There’s no doubt she can be very well placed and be very effective in our top Group races, particularly after she’s had a bit of time to settle in and to adjust. The next 12 months could be very exciting with her. It’d be unfair on her to be expecting her to produce a career best first-up in Australia but in saying that she’s well placed on what she’s done to date. Our job is having her in the right races and having her fit at this point. We’re banking on the fact she’s got the right form going to the race, she’s well placed and is forward enough for the run.
From James Cummings
Horse: Aft Cabin
Message: (Saturday, Randwick 5, Arrowfield Sprint) Aft Cabin hasn’t been disgraced despite missing a place in both the Hobartville and Randwick Guineas, particularly the latter. He went back to the trials on March 21 and scored a narrow win over stablemate Kementari in a 1045m heat. He didn’t get beaten far in the Randwick Guineas and it’s not like he wilted and got beaten eight lengths. He did run 4th, he didn’t run 14th. He’s been able to run well this prep apart from the Hobartville where things didn’t go his way. Six furlongs looks spot on.
Horse: Anamoe
Message: (Saturday, Randwick 8, Queen Elizabeth Stakes) Go and watch the George Ryder and you can appreciate the amount of bottom that Anamoe has got to him, the depth that he’s got to be able to find when things don’t go perfectly for the horse. I have not trained many winners at Rosehill that have sat three and four-wide for the trip, let alone in Group One, weight-for-age races. You might ask yourself the question, which other horse in the Queen Elizabeth would be able to sit three and four-wide in that George Ryder and still win? Anamoe was able to do it. It’s a target race for him this campaign. Weight-for-age over a mile-and-a-quarter in the Queen Elizabeth will just be the absolute ideal race for the horse to be running the best race of his campaign. We look forward to potentially see him putting up the grand final performance we’ve come to expect of him.
From David Payne
Horse: Montefilia
Message: (Saturday, Randwick 8, Queen Elizabeth Stakes) I know everyone is treating it like a two-horse race and understandably so as Dubai Honour did beat Montefilia pretty easily in the Ranvet Stakes. But with all this rain around, Montefilia is coming back from 2400m and this will be a very testing 2000m. I would rather draw out than in, particularly if we do get a heavy track. She is obviously a very good horse and if they are anything short of 100 per cent she will be the one to pounce on them. Montefilia has developed into a very strong mare, she has never been going better and will be competitive in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
From Bjorn Baker
Horse: Arapaho
Message: (Saturday, Randwick 7, Sydney Cup) Arapaho couldn’t be heading to Randwick in better form, with wins in the Canberra Cup and Tancred Stakes on the way, and it comes down to whether he’s stronger at the extended distance than he was back in the spring (11th in the Melbourne Cup). He is a weight-for-age winner so it’ll probably be the last time he will be this well treated at the weights (53kg) so we want to take advantage of it while we can. He’s been a marvel, he’s continued to improve and he’s definitely come back a better horse. It was a very good run, I thought he was very much a top three chance in the Tancred so for him to win was excellent and he travelled beautifully throughout. The last couple of runs he’s been excellent with travelling and relaxing and that’s the key. He was okay the first time at the two miles so hopefully he will be a bit stronger this time. He should get into a nice spot probably midfield so hopefully he can travel well. He’s probably got a bit of early tactical speed and that will help him.
Horse: Bring The Ransom
Message: (Saturday, Randwick 9, Queen Of The Turf Stakes) Bring The Ransom has a sneaky shot at an upset in the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes. She was beaten under two lengths by Roots in the Emancipation Stakes two weeks ago but was in a blanket finish for 3rd and she’s set to peak on Saturday. She’ll be 100/1 and is dead set flying. Her trackwork has been really good and she’s never been fitter. It was very good run last time, she probably just peaked on her run with 100m to go and was only beaten a half head for 3rd. I’ve got no doubt she’s improved from there. Tyler Schiller rides Bring The Ransom and will have to overcome gate 16.
From The Editor
Sydney Race 5 – Aft Cabin
Sydney Race 6 – Arts
Sydney Race 8 – Dubai Honour
