From Kris Lees
Horse: Tavi Time
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 3, Provincial-Midway Championships Final) I’ve seen nothing to think he won’t race really well, albeit he’s looking for a mile or further after this run. His wheels spun a bit on that sticky track (last start) and that two-week gap probably didn’t have him as sharp as what he can be, so I’m hoping the four week gap will suit him better. Tavi Time booked his spot in Saturday’s feature with an emphatic four-length win in the qualifying heat at Newcastle last month before finishing runner-up to Whincat over 1400m at Rosehill on March 16.
Horse: Willinga Freefall
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 3, Provincial-Midway Championships Final) Willinga Freefall who was closing late when runner-up to Saturday’s rival Terra Mater in the Wildcard. Willinga Freefall was really good at Newcastle and had excuses not to win. He will get to the races in good order and depending on the track, you can make a case for the others.
Horse: Kalapour
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 7, Sydney Cup) Kalapour ‘s only previous two-mile test was in the 2023 Melbourne Cup where he finished down the track. However, I am keen to give him another opportunity over the distance while he is “in the prime of his career”. He’s only had one attempt and that was in the Melbourne Cup where he was at the end of a really long preparation. On what he showed us last start, he gets every chance to run out a strong two miles and he gets plenty of weight relief (54kg).
From Bjorn Baker
Horse: Ozzmosis
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 5, Arrowfield 3YO Sprint) First up, Ozzmosis missed the start in the Galaxy by about eight lengths and not surprisingly failed to beat a runner home. We’ve opted for the barrier blanket and we’ve taken him back to the gates at Warwick Farm a couple of times as well. Everything seems to be A-OK from that point of view. I think he’s really well prepared to do everything right. Ozzmosis appeared at Tuesday’s Breakfast with the Best gallops at Randwick and the horse will have his normal race day routine of an easy trot and a swim. From what we’ve seen at home he hasn’t lost any of his ability and I still think we’re yet to see the best of him. He’s very fast, physiologically he’s always had an amazing recovery and can do things that would take a lot out of most horses. He’s set up to run a great race from a good gate (4). I think he can definitely bounce back.
Horse: Renaissance Woman
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 9, Queen Of The Turf Stakes) She was only beaten two lengths in the Coolmore Classic before stepping up to 2000m when third in the Neville Sellwood behind Serpentine. I thought she was entitled to peak on her run last time and that’s what happened. I think back to a mile really suits her, it’s a really tough race and one of those races you can’t be confident going into. I can see her being competitive at odds
From James Cummings
Horse: Zardozi
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 6, Australian Oaks) Zardozi is in line to be the first VRC Oaks winner to complete the double since Serenade Rose in 2006. There’s no doubt her VRC Oaks performance would have her a hugely competitive chance, even against the very impressive New Zealand filly Orchestral. Having had that solid lung-burning run over 2,000m in the Vinery, Zardozi is going to be well set up for the Australian Oaks. Hopefully, with the right run through and being able to put herself into the race, she’ll give herself a chance to turn the tables. There’s a lot to be said for the match practice that Zardozi lacked when the pressure went on in the Vinery. She’s got that now, therefore I think she’s going to be ready to fire. It should be game on for the Oaks this weekend.
Horse: Cascadian
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 8, Queen Elizabeth Stakes) He’s in his last racing campaign for us. He’s right up there with one of the best imports we’ve had in Australia and the only Northern Hemisphere horse we still have in training. He’s just about become the most popular horse we have in training in Australia. It would be a moment hard to describe for us if he were able to get it done. That was a very solidly run Australian Cup and he lapped it up. He just keeps running top races when the pace is right on. He’s got a lethal turn of foot, as good as the horses who are backmarkers in this race. The pace should be genuine, Pride Of Jenni could be kept honest and she’ll make her own running. Cascadian means business, I saw him bowl around (Thursday) morning at Osborne Park and he looked magnificent. He was breathtaking in a piece of work this week, so there’s no doubt he’s gone right ahead with that win in the Australian Cup.
From Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
Horse: Lady Of Camelot
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 4, Percy Sykes Stakes) It’s not going to make it easy (with 59kg) for her but she’s gone ahead really well. She’s been the dominant filly all the way through so I think it’s a weight she can carry and be effective. She hasn’t gone backwards by any means since the Slipper. The colts have had some tough racing against each other, maybe the timing’s been right for the fillies. The last month it has been interesting to see that swing and the upward form of the fillies. Keeping (Lady Of Camelot) to 1200m is going to be a positive, she came through the Slipper in great shape.
Horse: Too Darn Lizzie
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 4, Percy Sykes Stakes) She’s an emerging filly who shouldn’t be underestimated. She was very honest in the Reisling (Stakes), she stuck on very well. She’s improved and had a nice trial at Newcastle in between to keep her up to the mark but I think with every bit of racing she’s maturing well and going the right way.
Horse: Military Mission
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 7, Sydney Cup) Military Mission will appreciate racing in a big field having taken on weight-for-age at his last two lead ups. He’s just been racing a little out of his comfort zone in small fields and tactics wise he’s just had to race out of position. From a wide draw (gate 17) on Saturday we might ride him a bit more conservatively and more in line with his pattern. There wasn’t much speed on paper in the Tancred so we led. He’s probably a better horse when he can settle and he’ll be forced to do that with the draw. He’s been an incredibly consistent horse for us, it looks a lovely race for him and I’m happy to test him over two miles again. He’s been very tough in his two performances to date, he’s had a good grounding and now’s the time to try and attempt the 3200m once again.
Horse: Major Beel
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 7, Sydney Cup) Major Beel has had hurdle trials prior to his first-up run in the Pakenham Cup over 2500m and an improved 4th in the Roy Higgins two weeks ago. I felt he was going through the motions at the start of the campaign. We looked to change the routine a bit for him and off his last run it looks to have worked to an extent. He’ll enjoy the sting out of the ground and he’s in great shape.
Horse: Osmose
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 9, Queen Of The Turf Stakes) She’s dropping in trip and blinkers will go back on for that. I thought she was very effective first-up at the mile, she’s got to step up once again but she can be very competitive against those mares.
Horse: Tropical Squall
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 9, Queen Of The Turf Stakes) We elected to keep her to the mile, we were thinking about going towards the Vinery and there was the option of going to the Doncaster with the light weight but there was plenty of depth to that field and sticking to the mares at this time of her career was the right thing to do.
From Annabel Neasham
Horse: Castanya
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 4, Percy Sykes Stakes) The filly will improve on her last start 4th in the Magic Night (Stakes) behind Drifting as a setback forced her to miss the Reisling (Stakes) and a serious shot at a Golden Slipper start. It was only a foot abscess but a pretty bad one and she missed a bit of work so it wasn’t an ideal lead up into that race. She didn’t enjoy the track that day and was a bit slow away but closed quite well late. Hopefully she can jump a bit better and put herself in the race. I’ve got a big opinion of her, I think she’s improved from what we’ve seen of her so far.
Horse: Libertad
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 5, Arrowfield 3YO Sprint) We wanted to give him a nice confidence giving gallop (on Tuesday) so he’s going into it confidently. Libertad found his best form second-up when runner-up to Red Card then had genuine excuses for his last start flop. He was very good two starts ago then he got pole-axed twice last start and was lucky to stay on his feet. I just hope with him that he’s got confidence. He’s got the ability to win an Arrowfield (3YO Sprint). He quite likes it with a bit of juice in the track as well so if it’s still like that on Saturday it will help him.
From The Editor
Sydney Race 5 – Ozzmosis
Sydney Race 7 – Ashrun
Sydney Race 8 – Via Sistina
