By Julieanne Horsman
If Matthew Dale is susceptible to the post-holiday blues, the cure could be found at either Kembla Grange or Royal Randwick this Saturday.
The young Canberra trainer, who is away with his family this week, has four strong chances racing on Saturday, including the half-brother to star mare Single Gaze.
Whisky’n’diamonds, a two-year-old colt by Commands from Redaluca’s Gaze, will make his debut for Dale in the 1200m Maiden Plate at Kembla Grange.
The $280,000 Magic Millions buy had one easy trial at Goulburn on 7th July in which he finished 2nd.
According to Racing Manager Deb Rieper, who is standing in for Dale, Whisky’n’diamonds is doing everything right.
“He’ll run a big race this weekend,” Rieper said.
“He’s a lot bigger than his famous half-sister and we expect him to get over the mile and further later on.
“He will probably have only one run this prep before we send him for a spell.”
Single Gaze, who shares the same dam as Whisky’n’diamonds, has won four black type races including the Group 1 Vinery Stakes, and amassed prizemoney in excess of $1.5 million. On the same day, Clipper returns to Sydney after a close 3rd to Uniquely Lovely and Princess Of Queens in an 1100m 3YO fillies handicap at Caulfield.
She’ll have another tilt at Saturday city class in the ATC Owner Benefits Handicap over 1100m after proving she could hold her own down south.
“She came through the run really well and Matt was going to start her last week but decided to give her the extra seven days to get over the trip,” Rieper said.
“We were very happy with her run at Caulfield.
“Ben (Thompson) is only 48kg so she had to carry more than 10kg of dead weight which she struggled with.
“She tried her heart out and to only get beaten by a head was a good result.”
Promising three-year-old Super Star Bob will resume at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
He’ll be making a significant step up in grade when he lines up in the 1200m Schweppes Handicap.
“He came back into work about 10 weeks ago and is as good as ever,” Rieper said.
“He’s had a couple of jump outs at home and one last Wednesday was particularly good.”
Super Star Bob boasts a record of three wins from four starts and beat speedy stablemate Clipper in a TAB Highway in January.
“Hopefully there’ll be a bit of speed in the race and he can work home,” Rieper said.
The three-year-old Time Thief gelding, who is a half-brother to Happy Clapper, has won two of his starts, including a Class 1 1300m race at Goulburn on 7th July.
“He was strong to the line in his last start win,” Rieper said. “He was looking for further and the 1400m should suit.
“The wide gate doesn’t matter because he will take a sit and come home.
“He had a throat operation after his first start and had a year off but seems to have recovered.
“He’s got the ability to win, he just needs to be able to relax and breathe properly in the race.”
View the fields and form (including race replays) for Saturday's Royal Randwick meeting here.
View the fields and form (including race replays) for Saturday's Kembla Grange meeting here.