From Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald
Fri 13th Dec, 2024
Horse: Port Lockroy
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 8, The Ingham) He had just under a week there to break up the trip (from Perth after winning the Group 1 Railway Stakes) and he’s back in Sydney. He galloped on Tuesday, he’s very fit now so he doesn’t take much work. He won with 53kg on his back, he’s carrying 58kg on Saturday now he has that higher rating. He is a horse with confidence and we think the mile is his sweet spot. It’d be a nice way to end the preparation if we could knock off another big race with him. We’re going to need a bit of luck.
Horse: Eye Of The Fire
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 10, Saddles At Mount White Hcp) Eye Of The Fire looks to stretch his winning run to three in the Saddles At Mount White Handicap. I think the inside draw (gate 4) will suit, he has a bad habit this preparation of getting on one rein and doing a few things wrong. We think with a softer draw, horses on his outside will keep him more honest. He’s a talented horse and certainly on the way up.
From Joseph Pride
Fri 13th Dec, 2024
Horse: Private Eye
Message: (Saturday, Randwick 8, The Ingham) I expect Private Eye to hold form and isn’t disheartened by his 61.5kg topweight. I don’t think the weight alone would beat him. Bad luck in running, plus the big weight maybe. But if he gets a decent run, the weight won’t be a problem with him.
Horse: Lekvarte
Message: (Saturday, Randwick 8, The Ingham) Lekvarte has an outstanding record over the Randwick mile, where she has won four of her six starts including the Group 3 Angst Stakes in October. Lekvarte was unplaced in The Gong last start where the backmarker was disadvantaged in a leader dominated race. It really didn’t suit her. Thankfully she has come through it really well and the three weeks between runs for her is lovely. She appreciates that. She will be under-rated there on Saturday and she will run really well because she seems to be able to do this, she goes elsewhere and then whenever she comes back to the Randwick mile you see her at her best again. I wouldn’t underestimate her at all on Saturday.
Horse: Estadio Mestalla
Message: (Saturday, Randwick 8, The Ingham) He is a ripper. He’s so consistent. I know he doesn’t win often, but he also doesn’t miss the top three very often. It’s another big opportunity for him and he is super genuine.
From Bjorn Baker
Fri 13th Dec, 2024
Horse: Within The Law
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 5, Inglis Nursery) She’s very workmanlike and I guess we’ll find out how deep she can go. She’s come through and done everything very well and easy and she’s put it all together. I was very impressed with her first start (Inglis Banner). Her win at Flemington was excellent and I think she’s come on very nicely since. She’s had a trial in between, I thought he was very good that day hitting the line without a lot of urgency and was very good through the line. She’s very genuine, I think she puts in her best performances on race day. She’ll keep giving. She’s got a pretty good gate (8) and Jason (Collett) will be able to ride her where she’s comfortable.
Horse: Robusto
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 8, The Ingham) Robusto chased Private Eye home into second place in the Festival Stakes two weeks ago. He’s been running super races and gets into this race with Tim Clark on and we needed a good gate to try and hold him up. His last few runs have been excellent. He’s a group class horse going forward and another astute pick up for Darby Racing.
From Matthew Dunn
Thur 12th Dec, 2024
Horse: Carribean King
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 2, Highway Hcp) The big space between runs is the secret with him, that’s what he needs. He’s just got to be ridden very well, he needs to hit the front about 18cm from the winning post. He has a tendency to get a bit lost and think about where he should be.
Horse: Sea King
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 7, Christmas Cup) Sea King is making his stable debut at Randwick on Saturday. He scored a runaway Bendigo Cup win for Harry Eustace back at the end of October and was considered a chance in the Melbourne Cup. When he came up there was no plan, no rules, just to see how he is. To bring him into the stable and see how he settled in and all he’s done since he’s come to me is put weight on and improve mentally. As time has gone on he’s just picked things up really well. We took him to the beach and he half took off down the beach the first time, it took him one go then he walked straight into the surf. Particularly the last two weeks I’m really happy. He was almost like a clean slate when he turned up, I was amazed at how little he knew. I’m really excited to see what Sea King does. If he runs up to his work and runs up to his trial he’ll win. Nash (Rawiller) rode him in his trial and I’ve never seen him so happy after riding any horse for me. I think he’s a good judge. He’s a talented horse, I’ve tried to sharpen him up and he’s adapted well. His last gallop he worked over 1000m with one of my better sprinters and he sprinted as well as him.
From Michael Freedman
Thur 12th Dec, 2024
Horse: Moravia
Message: (Saturday, Randwick Race 9, Razor Sharp Hcp) I gave Moravia a freshen-up following his sound 5th to Dragonstone in the Choisir Handicap on Melbourne Cup day. I’m working to a program to maybe culminate in going to the Magic Millions. That was the reason he had a let-up and then came back in, but he never really went out of work. He will probably go to the Razor Sharp on Saturday and we’ll see how he goes. He could go up for the 1400-metre race on Magic Millions day if his form warranted. He’s got a few tricks up his sleeve at times, but he is a pretty high-class horse when he’s on his game. Regan Bayliss has won the past two renewals of the Razor Sharp Handicap and will partner Moravia from barrier two.
