Avilius primed to go
Multiple top-flight winner Avilius (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) has improved with his resuming run and will strip a fitter horse in the G1 The Agency George Ryder S. at Rosehill.
The 7-year-old was a bold third in the G1 Chipping Norton S. behind Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) and has three second-up victories on his record.
Avilius (GB)
“He didn’t surprise us that he ran so well first-up, he’s no stranger to producing good, fresh runs,” trainer James Cummings said.
“The horse is feeling good and has come on a bit more. As a three-time Group 1 winner he’s in rare air, a really top-class racehorse.”
Cup berth up for grabs
Victory in the Listed Mornington Cup could see Highclere Australia’s Lord Belvedere (GB) (Archipenko {USA}) in esteemed staying company in the spring.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained 7-year-old will earn a ballot exemption for the G1 Caulfield Cup with success on Saturday and bring a start in the G1 Melbourne Cup a step closer.
"One of the UK owners of Lord Belvedere said to me last week, if he was back at home and returning to racing, he'd be racing for £20,000 (AU$35,921) on the Kempton all-weather," Highclere's Racing Manager, Andrew Hawkins, told Racing.com.
"Instead, he's racing for $350,000 with the added carrot of a berth in a $5 million race. It is easy to see why there is so much interest from UK owners wanting to race in Australia.”
Entente emphatic
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Entente (Dundeel {NZ}) had no trouble justifying his favouritism in the Listed Albury Gold Cup with a clear-cut victory after a gem of a ride from Sam Clipperton.
“I was giggling, that was terrific. He camped third on the fence and when he got the gap at the top of the straight that was it,” stable representative, Neil Paine, said.
Entente had also been well supported at his previous outing when fourth in the Listed Canberra Cup.
“He was in the barriers for seven minutes and didn’t begin well, it all went pear-shaped for him,” Paine said. “He was back on top of the ground and this track suited him.”
Derby test for Sky Darci
Sky Darci (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) will be out to continue New Zealand’s strong association with the G1 Hong Kong Derby on Sunday.
New Zealand-bred or sourced horses have won four of the last five editions of the race and Sky Darci has a chance to add to that tally this weekend.
“I’m very pleased with that draw, he needs a soft gate and I’m very happy, it’s going to give him his chance,” trainer, Caspar Fownes, said.
The 103-rater will be paired with championship-leading jockey Joao Moreira.
“He ran all right in the Classic Mile, he was just a little bit flat but the run after that in the Classic Cup was good, it was pleasing to the eye. He definitely didn’t have a clear run at them and he was only beaten by 2.25l,” Fownes said.
Zee Falls on trial for Australia
Stakes-winning filly Zee Falls (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) could be in line for a trip to Sydney if she performs well in the G1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks at Trentham on Saturday.
With Sydney currently under a deluge of rain, trainer Stephen Marsh said she will thrive in those conditions with her victory in the G3 Wellington coming on a Heavy 10 track.
“It is very wet over there at the moment and she doesn’t mind a wet track,” Marsh said.
“We will just see how she goes on Saturday and see how she comes through that. She could fly over and run straight in the G1 Australian Oaks.”
Mare to turn tables
Montelena (Deep Field) finished runner-up last time out and the 4-year-old looks well-placed to go one better at Bunbury on Sunday.
The Darren McAuliffe-trained mare was second in the Listed Bunbury Cup behind Paddy’s Shadow (Dane Shadow) and with a 2.5kg swing in the weights in her favour will be hard to bowl in the Listed The Bull And Bush Tavern South West Cup.
Montelena’s stablemate The Big Show (Frost Giant {USA}) was below par last time, but is a winner at this trip, while Bella’s Idol (Vital Equine {Ire}) was a strong-finishing third to Paddy’s Shadow in the Cup and a major chance again.
Porphyrio (War Chant {USA}) has been racing well in the lower grades and as a past winner on the course deserves consideration on an each way basis.
Strong Slipper hopes
Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}), who was third in the G1 Blue Diamond S., created a strong first impression in Sydney and will be at peak fitness for the G1 Longines Golden Slipper S.
“In his first run in the G2 Todman S. he topped the two favourites (Profiteer, Home Affairs) and vindicated the form of the Blue Diamond and that form is critical to our chances,” trainer James Cummings said.
Anamoe
Godolphin will also start Ingratiating (Frosted {USA}), a last-start fifth in the G3 Pago Pago S.
“I thought with the blinkers off and his first look around Rosehill he was solid to the line. It was a good effort and with the blinkers back on he can improve on that effort,” Cummings said.
Meeting transferred
Racing Victoria and the Geelong Racing Club have advised the meeting scheduled at Geelong on April 1 has been transferred to Werribee.
The course proper at Geelong has undergone successful drainage works since the last meeting, however the growing conditions over the past month have not been at their optimum.
Following a track inspection this week, it was determined the course still needs additional time to consolidate before a race meeting.
Benner out for more glory
Otaki conditioner Johnno Benner has a strong record in the G2 Fusion Electrical Wellington Guineas, which he is hoping to extend at Trentham on Saturday.
Benner won the 3-year-old feature in 2015 with Vespa (NZ) (Elusive City {USA}) and again in 2018 and 2020 with Scott Base (NZ) (Dalghar {Fr}) and Gold Bracelet (NZ) (Pins) respectively, training in partnership with Hollie Wynyard.
Benner and Wynyard will have a two-pronged attack in this year’s Guineas, with last-start G1 Levin Classic winner Bonham (Per Incanto {USA}) and promising filly Hold The Press (Press Statement).
Hollie Wynyard and Johnno Benner | Image courtesy of Race Images
“Bonham has been sensational. She had a wee freshen-up, a trial, and an exhibition gallop,” Benner said. “She’s ticked every box leading into Saturday, I can’t complain how she is going.
“Hold The Press is a very quick and talented filly. She makes her own luck and will put herself right there. She is definitely a good chance as well. I wouldn’t swap our horses for any of the others. They are in good order and they deserve to be there.”
Promising filly back
Group 3 performer Irish Girl (NZ) (El Roca) will be looking to extend her impressive run of form at Tauranga on Saturday when she contests the Mills Reef Winery 1200.
Trainers Ken Rae and Krystal Williams-Tuhoro have been pleased with the way she has returned after her summer spell, but they do hold concerns about her rapid rise through the grades.
She won her maiden at Timaru last September before winning her next two starts at Ashburton, and then placed in the G3 Canterbury Breeders’ S.
“She has come back good as gold, but she has gone through the grades very quickly,” Rae said. "She trialled up really well and won her heat. She has stepped up to the mark every time we have asked her.”
