The $1 million Percy Sykes Stakes at Randwick features Reachin’ Out as the novice among nine, though she may hold the highest ceiling of improvement.
This Stay Inside filly turned heads with a resounding four-length debut success at Kensington last month, preceded by pair of effective barrier trials.
Adrian Bott and Gai Waterhouse wasted no time elevating her to Group 2 warfare, with early wagering reflecting approval by making the two-year-old the $3.60 elect in Saturday’s Percy Sykes Stakes over 1200m.
“That was her debut performance, and she ran good times on the day, some good figures off the back of it,” Bott said.
“She was excellent, and she looks like she has continued to improve.
“She is one of the fillies on the way up. The timing might be ideal for her for this race.”
Lumbini flies the Tulloch Lodge flag as well, having posted an unremarkable result from Queensland in the Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) before a heartening second to Pembrey in the Magic Night Stakes (1200m).
Her owners prioritized this race over a Golden Slipper tilt, even with the disadvantage of stall nine.
“She had a quick turnaround from the Gold Coast so she may have been in need of that first run, and she bounced back last start,” Bott said.
“It was always in the plan to come through to this race and skip the Slipper. We weren’t always trying to push her towards that, we thought she would be better placed here.
“She seems to be in good shape, and the form around her looks good.”
Agrarian Girl, runner-up in the Reisling Stakes and Golden Slipper reserve, was in Percy Sykes calculations for Tulloch Lodge, but Bott elected to spell her after her preparation peaked.
“We didn’t want to go one too many,” he said.
“She had been up for a while and just started to come to the end of it. We will do the right thing by her, and give her a bit of time.”
With Medicinal from Godolphin set for Sydney bow after Victorian double, and unbeaten Satono Glow homecoming from Flemington Group 3 win, the Percy Sykes Stakes looks compelling.
Rachini contributes via recent fourth in Group 1 Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), while Screen Icon aims to rebound from Golden Slipper exclusion.
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