| Race 6 – 4:30PM VILLIERS STAKES (1550 METRES) |
|---|
| Of $175,000.1st $105,000, 2nd $35,000, 3rd $17,500, 4th $8,750, 5th $3,500, 6th $1,750, 7th $1,750, 8th $1,750, Starter Subsidy $200 GROUP 2 Quality, Minimum Weight 53kg, Three-Years-Old and Upwards, Apprentices cannot claim.Field Limit: 14 + 4 EM |
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| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | COUP AY TEE (NZ) | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 5 | 59kg | |||
| 2 | WESTERN SYMBOL (NZ) | Gai Waterhouse | Tommy Berry | 13 | 59kg | |||
| 3 | ALMA’S FURY | Paul Murray | Blake Shinn | 4 | 58kg | |||
| 4 | DESTINY’S KISS | Joseph Pride | Christian Reith | 7 | 56kg | |||
| 5 | SAID COM (NZ) | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 2 | 55.5kg | |||
| 6 | MONTON | Ron Quinton | 1 | 55kg | ||||
| 7 | STRIKE THE STARS (NZ) | Anthony Cummings | Glyn Schofield | 6 | 55kg | |||
| 8 | NINTH LEGION | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Peter Robl | 11 | 54.5kg | |||
| 9 | SCREAM MACHINE | Jason Coyle | Adam Hyeronimus | 14 | 54.5kg | |||
| 10 | LISTEN SON | Tony Gollan | Ms Kathy O’Hara | 3 | 54kg | |||
| 11 | SYSMO (FR) | Tony McEvoy | James McDonald | 9 | 54kg | |||
| 12 | TAXMEIFYOUCAN | Gregory Hickman | Tim Clark | 8 | 53kg | |||
| 13 | LIMES | Peter Snowden | 10 | 53kg | ||||
| 14 | ABSALON | Sam Kavanagh | Brenton Avdulla | 12 | 53kg |
In the news:
Kathy O’Hara has been confirmed for a second feature-race ride as she prepares to make a quick return to the saddle after a serious race fall.
O’Hara will be the rider for Listen Son in the $175,000 Villiers Stakes if the accomplished Queensland sprinter-miler runs at Randwick on Saturday.
Her booking for the Tony Gollan-trained galloper follows her Razor Sharp Handicap reunion with Zaratone, a natural speedster she has ridden in three Sydney wins.
O’Hara missed out on a fourth victory on the sprinter when she sustained a deep cut to the back of her head after falling from her mount in a race at Randwick on November 29.
She received the all-clear from her neurologist on Monday to resume riding later this week.
Listen Son, a wet-track duffer, is one of three Villiers entries also nominated for the Listed Brisbane Handicap at Doomben.
Storms are predicted for Brisbane on Saturday, influencing Gollan to start making Sydney plans.
While the Villiers will be run under a cloud of controversy because the time-honoured summer feature has been switched from the Randwick course proper to the Kensington track, Gollan says the move is a boost to Listen Son’s chances.
“They are forecasting storms up here unfortunately and maybe showers in the Sydney,” Gollan said from Brisbane.
“But the (Kensington) track down there is such a good drying track, so that’s maybe the way we’ll lead.
“He looks the pace in the race and that sort of track will probably suit him.”
Listen Son will be trying to win the Villiers off a six-week break but Gollan insists the seven-year-old won’t be underdone for the Group Two race.
“I’ve had to scratch him a few times because of wet tracks but he’s been having jump-outs every two weeks,” Gollan said.
“He’s been in work quite a while and he’s no stranger to having his runs spaced.
“I think the horse is going super, he’s been in good form and it’s worth having a crack.”
The most recent of Listen Son’s 10 career wins came over 1600m at Doomben on October 5.
Absalon, a last-start Brisbane winner for Rosehill trainer Sam Kavanagh, and the Darley galloper Imperil, are also cross nominated for the Brisbane Handicap and the Villiers.