Arctic Glamour faces tougher weight-for-age rules in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes rematch versus Lazzura, though trainer Gerald Ryan believes it may not hinder her chances.
She received a 2.5kg concession when narrowly missing by a short neck to Lazzura in the Coolmore Classic (1500m), but equal weights apply when they clash again at Randwick on Saturday.
According to Ryan, weights don’t guarantee results, as demonstrated by his Group 1 mare Recurring losing with 54.5kg in the 2004 Birthday Card Stakes before winning with 58kg next start against rivals. “I remember a few years ago Recurring got beaten in a mares race with around 54 kilos then went to the Sapphire Stakes, and because it was set weights with penalties she ended up with 58 and she beat the mares that beat her the start before, despite carrying more weight.”
Can Arctic Glamour step up to genuine mile class? That’s the burning question.
In six 1600m attempts, she hasn’t placed, yet was a close fifth in the 2023 Thousand Guineas (1600m) and echoed that behind Ceolwulf in the Epsom Handicap (1600m) a year ago.
Pride Of Jenni’s presence adds pace to Saturday’s Queen Of The Turf Stakes, making it a genuine test, and Ryan prefers a restrained approach.
“It’s going to be a strong mile on Saturday with the speed that’s in the race,” he said. “We will ride her quiet from where she’s drawn. Her best runs are when we ride her quiet.”
Arctic Glamour was sidelined post-Coolmore Classic on March 14 after scratching from the Emancipation Stakes (1500m) due to wet conditions.
Recent trials and gallops have impressed Ryan greatly. “She trialled very well on Thursday, and her work (on Tuesday) morning was very good. As good as I’ve seen her do,” he said.
In the Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (1200m), Ryan and Sterling Alexiou run Skyhook with similar tactics in mind.
His Darby Munro Stakes (1200m) fourth initially irked, but deeper analysis changed views. “On face value, we were. But when you analyse the race, he was giving them all weight and maybe on the hot speed we rode him too close,” he said. “We’re going to ride him negative on Saturday and see if we can hit the line.”
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