Only a small but select field of colts and gelding to contest the Roman Consul Stakes this year. Although unbeaten in four starts, this will be the first time Hallowed Crown will line up as favourite, opening up at $2.30. If successful, he’ll make it three of the last four editions to go the fancied runners after Zoustar and Foxwedge won in 2013 and 2011 respectively. Brazen Beau and Time For War who had little between them when they met during the Brisbane winter carnival are again close together, with Brazen Beau $4.00 and Time For War $5.00.

Roman Consul Stakes 2014 Field:

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1. HOLLOWED CROWN – H Bowman (2)

Remained undefeated and dispelled the concern he may have only been a wet-tracker with a strong win in the G1 Golden Rose (1400m). He jumped from the second to widest gate in the field of fifteen and settled near last before, as the field left the 600m, securing a lovely trail behind Scissor Kick. Peeled of Scissor Kick at the furlong make and finished a shade too strong, winning by a head. Comes back to 1200m here but has had three weeks between run and his form is faultless

2. TIME FOR WAR – T Angland 6

Front-runner resuming from a Winter campaign that saw him claim the G3 BRC Sire’s Produce Stakes from Brazen Beau and Looks Like The Cat at Doomben before finding the mile at the bigger Eagle Farm circuit a shade too far, finishing sixth (2.4 lengths) behind Almalad and Brazen Beau. Hasn’t been seen at the trials but here in a small field, would expect him to push forward and give them plenty to catch. He won the G2 Pago Pago Stakes first up last prep.

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3. BRAZEN BEAU – J Moreira (3)

Returned to racing after a successful winter campaign that was rounded out with a head second to Almalad in the G1 JJ Atkins Stakes, with a fifth (3.9 lengths) in the G2 Danehill Stakes up the Flemington straight. He jumped from an inside gate and took a forward position closer to the fence, sticking on very well given those that finished in front of him came down the centre of the track. The quinella out of the Danehill, Rich Enuff and Looks Like The Cat again ran one/two in the Guineas Prelude last Sunday and Brazen Beau will only strip fitter.

4. NOSTRADAMUS – J McDonald (4)

Won well and with something to spare first up from a spell defeating Washington Heights by ¾ length in the G3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) before failing to let down in the heavy conditions when contesting the G3 Run To The Roses (1200m), finishing seventh (3.5 lengths) behind Hallowed Crown as the 2/1 favourite. Draw inside at his most recent starts the Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) and sat handy to the lead but was forced to make his run home close to the fence, which wasn’t the ideal place to be. He finished fifth (2.1 lengths) right alongside of Almalad who come out and won last week’s Bill Stutt Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley in comprehensive style. Last start was good and the genuine excuses the start prior, rates a big chance her with what should be the ideal run.

5. DELECTATION – B Shinn (5)

Put away by trainer Chris Waller after winning three straight during the winter and returned as a well supported 3/1 chance in the Listed Heritage Stakes (1100m) a fortnight ago. From the widest gate in the field of seven, the son of Shamardal settled last and was doing his best work late in a race that was dominated by those up front including impressive winner, Kuro. That was his second crack at a Stakes race and his yet to fill a place at this level but a sharp improvement on his first up run here wouldn’t surprise.

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6. KLAMMER – J Parr (1)

Recorded his fifth third placing of his six start career when resuming in this Listed Heritage Stakes (1100m). From the inside gate, the Snitzel colt led but couldn’t match the finishing burst of Kuro and Echo Girl, finishing 2.6 lengths behind the pair. As he records suggest, whilst competitive in each of his starts, most of which have been in Group and Listed races, if there’s one better in the race than him, he’ll find them.

Roman Consul Stakes 2014 Odds/Results:

RACE OVERVIEW AND SELECTIONS

Time For War leads here and should do so comfortable. Won the Pago Pago first up last prep when allowed to dictate and it’ll be detrimental to his opposition’s chances if they allow him to much freedom up front. Tailing him through should be Nostradamus who was good in the Golden Rose. Form out of the race has been good and a nice run here, on a firm track, could see him right in the thick of it. Good price at $7.00. Hallowed Crown hasn’t put a foot wrong as yet but his wins have come on wet tracks or with a solid speed up front. He won’t get either Saturday and not too sure that rushing in to his price is the right thing to do.

1. NOSTRADAMUS
2. TIME FOR WAR
3. HALLOWED CROWN
4. BRAZEN BEAU

News:

There is no ducking and weaving from James McDonald regarding expectations for New Zealand mare Rising Romance in Saturday’s Craven Plate at Randwick.

On the third line of Caulfield Cup betting, the mare is also the warmest favourite on the Epsom Handicap day program.

With Hawkspur missing the Craven Plate to contest the Turnbull Stakes in Melbourne, Rising Romance will have just five rivals and McDonald wants to see her put them away.

“If she can’t win that she may as well go home,” McDonald said.

“She’s got to be winning. There’s no excuses for her.”

McDonald partnered Rising Romance to a comprehensive Australian Oaks victory in the autumn and reunited with her last start when she finished just worse than midfield in the George Main Stakes won by Sacred Falls.

That effort followed a first-up fourth in the Tramway Stakes when Tim Clark warmed the saddle.

Sydney’s most in-demand jockey, McDonald has eight rides at Randwick including Toydini for Hawkes Racing in the Epsom Handicap and Spillway for David Hayes and Tom Dabernig in the Metropolitan.

Interestingly, McDonald nominated his Roman Consul Stakes mount Nostradamus as his best ride.