With six of the nine runners entered for this weekend’s Chelmsford Stakes, trainer Chris Waller would have to rate his chances of winning the Group 2 feature pretty high but according to the markets, the best chance lays with the Hawkes Racing representative, Entirely Platinum Despite contesting a Group 2 race and facing WFA conditions both for the first time, bookies are wary of the inform stable and opened up the 5yo gelding as the $3.00 favourite.

Waller’s runners Royal Descent ($3.80) and Sacred Falls ($4.80) are second and third in betting with David Payne’s Derby winner Criterion at $6.80. Hawkspur, who won this race last year and has been trying desperately to notch up another win since, is at $8.00. With two runs under his belt and a strong record at the mile, he comes in for plenty of attention.

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Chelmsford Stakes 2014 Field

1. SACRED FALLS – T Angland (3)

Due to the heavy track conditions the two-time Doncaster winner started $3.40F in the G2 Warwick Stakes a fortnight ago, his first run back from an eighteen week spell. He settled just behind the speed but as the leader and eventual winner Tiger Tees accelerated over the rise he, like most in the field, could only maintain his position and finished fourth (1.6 lengths). He has contested two G1 WFA events at each of his last 2^nd up runs, finishing three lengths behind Streama and earlier this year, running a solid fourth to Gordon Lord Byron in the George Ryder Stakes and his only previous start at the Valley saw him finish a neck second to Toydini in the G2 Crystal Mile. Will not have had to take much improvement out of the first up run to be competitive here.

2. LASER HAWK – (4)

Did all he could do first up off a fifteen month break when eighth (3.5 lengths) in the G2 Missile Stakes behind Sweet Idea a month ago. The 2012 Rosehill Guineas winner has been given a trial since to keep him up to the mark, winning the 1150m hit-out at Warwick Farm a week ago in solid fashion. Appears to have taken plenty of benefit from the Missile run and the step up to the mile will be to his liking however, prefer to wait for him to 2000m before considering a chance at this level.

3. HAWKSPUR – J Cassidy (6)

Last year’s Caulfield Cup favourite was hitting the line well first up over the unsuitable 1200m of the Missile Stakes and was better again when fifth (1.7 lengths) in the G2 Warwick Stakes behind Tiger Tees at his following and most recent start. Third up over a mile looks ideal for the son of Purrealist with his last three starts over the distance resulting in a fourth in the Doncaster Handicap, third in the G1 Chipping Norton (behind Boban and It’s A Dundeel) and fourth in the G1 George Main Stakes to Streama. Handles the soft conditions well and looks well placed her to produce his best.

4. MORIARTY – J Collett (2)

Sent out as a 40/1 chance first up in the G3 Show County Handicap where, under 59kgs and on a heavy track, the 7yo finished as well as connections would’ve have hoped for when fifth (3.4 lengths) behind Terravista. Second up last campaign the son of Clodovil ran a very cheeky third (at 30/1) to Appearance in the G2 Apollo Stakes (1400m), followed by a fourth to Boban in the G1 Chipping Norton (1600m). The mile second up here should be more favourable this time around but the likelihood, on which he is unplaced in four runs, will make the job harder.

5. BAGMAN – B Avdulla (5)

He made it back-to-back last time out with a half length win at Caulfield in a 2000m Open class race, defeating Lord Durante. Drops back to the mile here and having been in work since May, there’ll be no questions about his fitness however, would’ve have liked to have seen him winning his races with more authority before considering him here – which will be his first attempt at G2 race and at WFA conditions.

6. JUNOOB – B Shinn (9)

Put together a very good campaign last time in which saw the 7yo gelding graduate from BM 80 races to running third, as the 13/4 favourite, in the G1 Doomben Cup (2000m) behind Streama. Not surprisingly for a middle distance horse, he found it hard to keep up with the leaders when resuming from a spell in the G3 Show County Handicap (1200m) a fortnight ago, finishing second to last and over six lengths form the winner. Getting to a mile will see him more competitive however, likely to need another run again and slightly further still.

7. ENTIRELY PLATINUM

The Hawkes Racing galloper resumed from a winter spell with an authoritative win in an Open class handicap over 1400m at Rosehill three weeks back. He found the box seat in the run and only did what he had to do in recording the half length win over Mighty Lucky. He has been given a trail since; a good hit-out over 900m that saw him defeat stable-mate Leebaz and the smart Catkins. This is his first attempt at WFA and his toughest test to date however the stable don’t test them until they’re ready and pushing forward from a wider gate, he’ll be in this for a long way.

8. CRITERION – J Bowman (8)

Ran a fantastic race fresh to finish third (1.5 lengths) behind Tiger Tees and Royal Descent in the Warwick Stakes. Settled just off the speed and like most in the race which was dominated by the winner who led, held his spot well in the run to the line. Can only improve with that run under his belt and he closed very well second up last time in to run second (1 lengths) behind Shamus Award in the G1 Australian Guineas. Likely to get back from the wide draw but will be finishing well out wide.

9. ROYAL DESCENT – K McEvoy (1)

Super honest mare who, although she hasn’t won since claiming the 2013 ATC Oaks in empathic style, has been placed five of her ten subsequent starts, all at Group level, including her recent first up effort in the G2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) when second to Tiger Tees. The daughter of Redoute’s Choice settled on the leader and eventual winner’s back but in the heavy conditions, couldn’t match his acceleration as they straightened for and held her position to the run to the line. She has had excuses at each of her two recent second up runs where she has missed a place on each occasion and sure to again be right in the mix here.

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RACE OVERVIEW

Entirely Platinum rolls forward here and should get a pretty good time of it. He might not be the best horse in the race but as we saw with Tiger Tees in the Warwick Stakes recently, he may be the best suited to the conditions of the race on Saturday. Royal Descent will keep tabs on him from her inside gate and her second up form reads better than it appears on paper. Sacred Falls should settle midfield and will be promoted in market and selections if the poor weather persists but it could be Hawkspur that gets last shot at them here. He’s had two runs in so should be ready to produce his best. Loves the mile at Randwick and handles soft ground.

Odds/Results:

1. HAWKSPUR
2. ROYAL DESCENT
3. SACRED FALLS
4. ENTIRELY PLATINUM

More Racing News:

Stewards have adjourned an inquiry into Hugh Bowman’s ride on Snip Spur at Canterbury on Wednesday.

The top jockey was quizzed about his tactics when settling well back in the field of 10 in the Hyland Race Colours Handicap.

His decision-making around the home turn when he was behind a long-priced rival was also scrutinised.

“We are of the view he should have got going a little sooner than what he did and he did concede it was probably an error on his behalf,” steward Marc Van Gestel said.

Snip Spur, trained by Peter and Paul Snowden, finished strongly for fourth to all-the-way winner Eyre.

Bowman didn’t get a winner at Canterbury but he has a handy book at Randwick on Saturday including Australian Derby winner Criterion in the Chelmsford Stakes.