Daily News Wrap

Verdad ready for toughest test

Progressive galloper Verdad (Justify {USA}) will face his toughest test to date when he runs in Saturday’s G1 Caulfield Guineas.

The Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock-trained 3-year-old was eye-catching when placed behind Griff (Trapeze Artist) in the G2 Stutt S.

“We’ll give him his chance to measure up to the big league and after that he’ll get his chance in the Vase and then the Derby,” Griffiths told Racing.com.

“He’s only had two starts. It’s a bit hard to get a gauge of his ability. We think a lot of him; It’s hard to quantify the rate of improvement in Verdad. We’ll know after the Guineas whether he’s the real deal.

“We don’t know whether the Melbourne form will stack up against Militarize, but Griff is our yardstick and is high up in the betting, so, on that basis we should be there.”

Waller hopeful of claiming second Cup

Champion Trainer Chris Waller is confident he can add a second G1 Melbourne Cup trophy to his overflowing cabinet.

Waller trained his first Cup winner courtesy of the star mare Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}).

“It gives you that right of ownership to say we’ve managed to win this race. I think we can win it again, so that’s the dream,” Waller told Punters.

“Whether you’re a punter, a trainer, an owner, a jockey or a person following the sport, once you’ve had that intimate relationship with the Cup the next one is doable.”

Waller recently opened a new satellite stable at Macedon Lodge, a training facility synonymous with Cup success.

“When it was made available it looked an obvious choice to be able to utilise it to get horses fitter and mentally in a better state, happier.

“It’s just a very natural environment and I think that’s where horses thrive.”

Benedetta chases Sydney riches

Jason Warren has yet to decide whether his star mare Benedetta (Hellbent) tackles the $2 million G3 Sydney S. or the $1 million Silver Eagle, both on Everest Day.

“We’re either going to run in a $1 million race or a $2 million and we were at Flemington last start in a $300,000 race,” Warren told RSN.

“It’s a big difference but the strength of the races is not much different.

“From there we’ve got options. We’ve got The Invitation, mares, 1400 metres which is two weeks later, or the Golden Eagle three weeks later.

“I think she’s looking for a little bit further now so the 1300 Silver Eagle will be perfect into the Golden Eagle hopefully.”

No Manikato tilt for smart mare

Henry Dwyer has pulled the pin of Asfoora (Flying Artie) running in the G1 Manikato S. which the smart sprinter potentially running in Saturday’s G2 Schillaci S. at Caulfield.

“We haven’t got a lot of options left for her in the Group 1 sphere for the spring, so we will nip around edges I’d say,” Dwyer told Racing.com.

“It’s a weird feeling, you are rapt and proud and happy she’s run so well in the Moir, but nobody remembers who finished second.

“I am not going to run in Group 1s for the sake of it. I don’t think we need to go the Manikato and run into Imperatriz again at 1200 metres.

“There was an option to go to Sydney for The Everest or Sydney Stakes, but once again 1200 metres.

“There are some lovely races for her over the spring if you just come back a notch from that top level.”

Western Empire for sale

The G1 Railway S. winner Western Empire (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}), owned by Bob Peters, will be offered as part of Inglis Digital’s latest sale on Wednesday.

Peters sold the G1 Cantala S. victor Superstorm (Sebring) earlier in the year for $70,000 through the Inglis Digital platform.

Breeders’ Plate trio unlikely for back-up

Co-trainer Adrian Bott has confirmed to Racenet the stable’s G3 Breeders’ Plate trio of Espionage (Zoustar), Straight Charge (Written By) and Prost (Snitzel) are unlikely to play a further part in the spring.

“I don’t think we’ll see those three again, they won’t go to the Golden Gift (November), it is too far away.”

Paddock beacons for What You Need

Boom colt What You Need (Supido) will head to the paddock as advised by his co-trainer Mick Price on Sunday.

“We’re not 100 per cent happy with What You Need so he’s gone back to the spelling paddock,” Price told Racenet.

“We decided to put him back away and give him more time, so we expect him back in the autumn.”

Pinn on Amenable

Wiremu Pinn will be given the shot at Group 1 glory aboard the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Amenable (Lonhro) in Saturday’s G1 Toorak H.

“Horses go very well for him (Wiremu Pinn),” Price told Racenet.

“When he gets a consistent pattern of race riding against the better jockeys, he’ll be better again.

“He’s naturally good but will pick up the finesse that comes with race riding.

“Hopefully we can draw a gate and get Amenable into a good position over the mile.”

Keys keeps faith with Scheelite

Ken Keys, who trains in partnership with his daughter Kasey, is hopeful their star colt Scheelite (Real Steel {Jpn}) will provide them with that elusive Caulfield Guineas.

It will be Keys’ third Caulfield Guineas runner in nine years, having saddled-up Rich Enuff and Soul Patch.

However, it will be the first Group 1 runners with his daughter as training partner.

“Scheelite will be suited by the mile, but I’m a little bit concerned about his habit of being slowly away,” Keys told Racing.com.

“I’d like him to pick up the bridle earlier, but it will get easier as the distance gets further.

“I think between Steparty and Scheelite you’d call it a nil-all draw. Then Militarize is coming down and the Sydney horses haven’t dominated down here and visa versa. I don’t think there’s a lot between them.”

Bubble cheeker on for Veight

After a disappointing run in the G3 Caulfield Guineas trainer Tony McEvoy remains confident Veight (Grunt {NZ}) can measure up in the G1 Caulfield Guineas on Saturday.

“We were a bit flat after the other day. He didn’t turn up, he made a lot of mistakes, wanted to hang, got a little bit colty on the day.

“He’s had a trial since and seems really bright and well.

“We will tinker with some gear. I will put the bubble cheeker on him, we will take the cross over noseband off him.

“We will head to the Guineas. I know he is good enough.”

Moreira to ride Militarize in Guineas

Champion Jockey Joao Moreira will partner the star colt Militarize (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) in Saturday’s G1 Caulfield Guineas.

Chris Waller confirmed that a tilt at the Cox Plate is in consideration, but the Guineas is the priority.

“Sure, the Cox Plate, but honestly, it’s all about the Caulfield Guineas, protecting his value and getting that job done and then we can look a bit higher,” he told Punters.

“First-up at 1200 metres, a few things went against him, but he was sharp enough to beat the best 3-year-olds in the Golden Rose and we know the mile is not a problem.

“The next six months will tell us about Militarize. Those extremely good horses just keep lifting and he’s right up there with the best 3-year-olds I’ve had.”

Purton speaks out against whip rule

Zac Purton has declared Australia’s whip rules confusing and he prepares to ride in his first The Everest on Saturday.

Jockeys riding in Australia cannot use the whip more than five times or in consecutive strides prior to the 100-metre mark of any race in Sydney on Saturday.

“From the time I get on the horse, I have that thought going through my head ‘whip, whip, whip’ and it is hard when you are in big fields, you are making runs between horses, you are trying to time your run correctly and then you have to try and look out for markers to see where you are,” Purton told Punters.

“It is extremely frustrating, I must say, it is the hardest thing about returning to Australia.

“It's one thing I’d prefer not to have to worry about but they are the rules.”