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.
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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.
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.
- NOSTRADAMUS
- TIME FOR WAR
- HALLOWED CROWN
- BRAZEN BEAU
News:
Dressage has emerged as a key part of a training regime trainer Chris Waller has used to help revive Boban’s chances of back-to-back Epsom Handicap wins.
Waller has turned to the discipline involving trotting and cantering, changes in sequence and extended gaits to try to get the best out of Boban after an indifferent spring campaign.
“It’s a complete change in the fitness regime and it helps to keep the horses interested,” Waller said.
“The routine also helps keep the horses flexible and build core muscles.”
One of four Epsom runners for Waller, Boban hasn’t been able to figure among the placings in three spring weight-for-age runs.
He left Sydney’s all-conquering stable mystified with his fifth to Dissident in the Makybe Diva Stakes after giving jockey Glyn Schofield the impression he would be in the finish at the 400m.
Waller horses occupy the top three lines of Epsom betting including Royal Descent, the 2013 ATC Australian Oaks winner who has been joined as favourite by Toydini from the Hawkes family stable.
He’s Your Man and Boban share the second tier at $6 while Waller’s fourth runner Lucky Chappy is a $35 chance.
Waller has settled on Royal Descent as the horse most likely to give him another Group One win over the famous Randwick mile on Saturday.
“I’d put Royal Descent on top,” Waller said.
“Boban has to get back to his career-best form and He’s Your Man has to go to his career-best over a mile, which he hasn’t done in the past.”
Gai Waterhouse likes the prospects of her Epsom trio, Liberty’s Choice, Pheidon and Woodbine, who are on the 52kg limit and receiving 6kg off Boban.
“He’s (Boban) a bit out of form so the light weights might have a real chance,” she said.
Veteran jockey Chris Munce won an Epsom on the Waterhouse-trained Iron Horse but he will be in the Hawkes Racing camp on Saturday.
Munce has been called in to replace the suspended Brenton Avdulla on Ninth Legion, an on-pace runner who backs up after his Shannon Stakes placing last week.
Now Brisbane-based, Munce has won six Group One races over the Randwick mile.
Ninth Legion will be a more than worthy second stringer to stablemate Toydini, one of the best-backed runners to improve on his photo-finish third to Boban last year.
Toydini, who will have blinkers fitted on Saturday, has firmed to $5 to be equal top pick with Royal Descent.
MUNCE’S MILES AND MILES OF RANDWICK SUCCESS
* 1995 Epsom Hcp – Nick’s Joy
* 1997 Epsom Hcp – Iron Horse
* 1999 Flight Stakes – Danglissa
* 2001 Doncaster Mile – Assertive Lad
* 2002 George Main Stakes – Defier
* 2004 Champagne Stakes – Dance Hero
