The chosen race

Cambridge trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman are in search of more Australian riches when The Chosen One (NZ) (Savabeel) contests the G1 Sydney Cup at Randwick.

The duo were to the fore when Quick Thinker (So You Think {NZ}) won the G1 Australian Derby last Saturday and now it is the turn of his stablemate The Chosen One to show his wares.

“I have always thought all prep that this was his race,” Forsman said. “He has been up in the weights his last couple of runs and drops to a competitive weight on Saturday.

“We are hopeful it won’t be as heavy as what he has struck the last couple of times. I think if it got back to a slow track or the worse side of good it would be ideal.”

Flit can bounce back

A drop back in distance in Saturday’s G2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint has trainer James Cummings bullish about the chances of Flit (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}).

The filly was unplaced as a short-priced favourite second-up in the G1 Surround S. then she faded in the straight to be well beaten in the All-Star Mile at Caulfield after she was sent forward from the outside draw and raced too fiercely in front.

"Flit won't be the only one trying to climb back onto the podium in this race," Cummings said. "You can disregard her run in Melbourne when she led and dropped out. She can get back up and I like her chances."

Three sprint hopes

Trainers Peter and Paul Snowden will attack the G2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint at Randwick in numbers with Cosmic Force (Deep Field), Anaheed (Fastnet Rock) and California Zimbol (I Am Invincible) chasing major honours.

"Cosmic Force is coming off a poor run in The Galaxy, but there may have been excuses for him there," Peter Snowden said. "He has trialled well since and he's in good order.

"California Zimbol hasn't put a foot wrong all preparation. Her runs have been excellent and she has got a good draw to get the right run and Anaheed, you can never rule her out.

“She's always competitive in this grade and she's a tough filly. She'll like the conditions if it's wet and she'll make her own luck up on the speed.”

Exciting prospects

Victorian trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr are excited about the prospects of two recent New Zealand acquisitions, but it’s unknown when the pair will be able to join their Australian barn.

With the COVID-19 alert level 4 restrictions in place in New Zealand for at least the next fortnight, there are no flights available to transport the 2-year-olds across the Tasman.

“We purchased a Reliable Man filly who was a trial winner and the form looks very good from that trial,” Kent Jnr said. “Greg Tomlinson (owner) is maintaining a share in her and we put one of our big clients, Bill Frost, into.”

“We also bought a horse off Murray Baker called Mongolian Condor,” he said. “I galloped him at Cambridge back in January and actually worked alongside Quick Thinker. He is a potential Derby horse for us over here in the spring.”

The pair will stay near Cambridge for the immediate future, but Kent Jnr is hoping to get them on a plane within the next few months.

Derby in sights

Smart 3-year-old Russian Camelot (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) took another winning step toward the G1 South Australian Derby with his last-start win at Pakenham.

Trainer Danny O'Brien was forced to run him on Thursday evening after the colt played up in the barriers and had to be scratched at Caulfield last Saturday and he atoned with a 7l victory.

"We were thrilled with that. It was what we were hoping to see and he did everything right on the night which was great.

"He has pulled up really well so he's on track to head to Adelaide for the Derby. He'll have one more run before the Derby, either in the Chairman's S. in Adelaide or in a race in Victoria."

Versatility a bonus

Splintex (Snitzel) has drawn the rail in the G2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint and could either lead in his bid for glory or sit off the pace.

"He has won doing both. He is a nice versatile little horse," trainer Mark Newnham said. "From barrier one you can afford to be a bit positive and then work out what to do.

"He's yet to be proven at this trip, but he's only had the one go and he ran a close-up third in a Listed race, the Gosford Guineas."

Draw key to sprinter

Trainer Kelly Schweida is hoping an inside gate will enable Guard Of Honour (Northern Meteor) break his duck at 1200 metres when he runs in the Racecourse Village Open H. at Doomben.

Schweida would have preferred a 1000 metre or 900 metre race, but his options have been limited by regional racing.

"He is ready to run but there was nothing much else for him," Schweida said. "We all have to do our best in these circumstances and Saturday looks the right option."

Guard Of Honour has won six races, but none over further than 1100 metres.

"He hasn't been far away in a couple of other 1200 metre races when he didn't have much luck," Schweida said. "The key could be the good barrier in three which means he should get a nice run. "

Deserved win beckons

Bam's On Fire (Universal Ruler) is deserving of a black type victory after posting five stakes placings, including three runner-up finishes.

The mare gets her chance to break through in Saturday's G3 Elvis Thurgood 40th Anniversary Cup and co-trainer David Eustace said she was in peak condition.

"She certainly deserves to be a stakes winner. She's had a terrific preparation and she was very brave in the Sunline S.

"If we can make her a stakes winner before the preparation is over that would be ideal. She's definitely gone to another level this preparation. It's just a bit of age and a bit of maturing.

"It looks a good enough race on paper and we'll be going there with confidence that she can run well."

Claim significant

Dusty Tycoon (Written Tycoon) will benefit from apprentice Adin Thompson’s claim to bring her weight down to 57kg in the Darryl Gollan Tribute H.

"Adin rode her when she won a recent trial easily enough," trainer Rob Heathcote said. "It is a strong field so every little bit helps. She is a front-running type and an easy ride so I have no qualms putting on an apprentice."

Dusty Tycoon has won two of her three starts and hasn’t raced since unplaced in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

Future looking bright

Otaki trainers Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard are pleased with the success of their boutique stable this season and are looking forward to a nice team of younger horses returning to work once New Zealand comes out of COVID-19 lockdown.

With 18 wins on the board and a further 30 placings from just 89 runners this season, the Benner-Wynyard team have a competitive strike-rate.

The undoubted highlight of the season for the duo was the Group 1 triumph of recently retired stable star Wyndspelle (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) in the Captain Cook S., while progressive filly Gold Bracelet (NZ) (Pins) made it three wins in succession when landing the G2 Wellington Guineas (1400 metres).

“We were pretty happy with how it has been going,” Benner said. “We always look at our strike-rate and base it on that. Obviously, it is a bit different to some of the bigger stables.

“We have upped our numbers a bit, but capped it at 20. To have 18 winners to the middle of March is good. It is a shame the season looks to be pretty much over, but we have a lot to look forward to, we have a fair few nice horses around us. "