By Ray Hickson
Trainer Daniel Bowman can’t see too many negatives about Group 1 winning sprinter Begood Toya Mother’s Sydney debut at Randwick on Saturday and is puzzled by his place in the market.
The five-year-old was rated a $13 chance with TAB on Thursday in the Group 1 $500,000 Heineken 3 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) but Bowman says it’s a perfect race for Begood Toya Mother.
“There doesn't look to be anything in the field that will take him on,’’ Bowman said.
“He should be able to jump and lead and make it a truly run race. If they are good enough to get past him then they are a better horse on the day.
“Price wise they don't give him much respect but I'm not too worried about that. I think on the wet track, small field, he races on speed and is probably going to be the fittest horse in the race.’’
Begood Toya Mother has been unplaced in both starts this campaign but has also had genuine excuses.
Bowman said his seventh in the Group 1 Orr Stakes (1400m) a month ago can be attributed to the hard surface at Caulfield and a bad check at the 200m mark.
“He jarred up quite badly and when got that squeeze he wretched his back and it took seven or eight days to get over it,’’ he said.
“Since then we've had a really good three weeks to get ready for this.
“Caulfield is just too firm for him, he's not easy on himself with his racing pattern so getting his toe in the ground will be advantageous.’’
The gelding finished sixth, two lengths behind Alizee (third), in the Memsie Stakes in the spring then won the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke back to handicap conditions.
Bowman does concede Begood Toya Mother is yet to prove himself at weight-for-age but hopes the forgiving surface and potential for control of the race can counteract that doubt.
Of course Alizee will be one of two Godolphin mares setting sail after Begood Toya Mother at the business end and trainer James Cummings said the last start Apollo Stakes (1400m) winner couldn’t be in better shape.
“She’s back a little in distance here, but I can see this being run at a solid gallop and she’s got the natural brilliance that will allow her to sprint with these horses,” he said
“I haven’t let her miss a day in the gym, she’s worked very well and she’s ready to rumble.”
Savatiano wins at Rosehill on February 22
Alizee ($3.20) and Savatiano ($3.40) are disputing second favouritism and the latter faces her stiffest test after a dominant win in the Group 2 Millie Fox (1200m) first-up from a spell.
Savatiano will be ridden by James McDonald who is chasing his third Canterbury Stakes win after Cosmic Endeavour (2015) and Holler (2016).
“It’s been a while since we’ve had one win a Group 2 race as impressively as that,’’ Cummings said.
“I think her form warrants tackling a race like this.
“She’s a casual customer who has trained on in a straightforward manner, going about her work with minimum fuss.”
All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Randwick Guineas meeting