By Ray Hickson
If Breeders’ Plate winner Performer is the benchmark two-year-old so far this season don’t be surprised if stablemate Plenty steps up to the plate on debut at Rosehill on Saturday.
You could be forgiven for thinking the $150,000 Golden Gift (1100m) was a one horse race with all the support for Godolphin colt Plague Stone.
But champion trainer Chris Waller has two runners in Zoustar colt Plenty and Snitzel colt Orcein that are held in high regard by those at CWR.
When asked where Plenty stands in the stable pecking order compared to Performer, Waller’s racing manager Charlie Duckworth said "we think similar thoughts of this colt".
Plenty, winner of a 735m trial at Randwick on November 16, is a $12 chance with TAB Fixed Odds.
Plenty's Randwick barrier trial win - November 16
“His trial was brilliant, he's probably still a bit immature both mentally and physically,’’ Duckworth said.
“Anything we see on Saturday will be a bonus.
“He can over race a bit, which I think is immaturity, we've been trying to get him fit for these races and you have to ask them the question so they know what they are doing when they get to the races.’’
Plenty was ridden by Kerrin McEvoy in his trial but the Everest winning jockey partners $26 chance Orcein in the Golden Gift.
Duckworth revealed that Orcein has had a jump out since he finished a long way off Plague Stone in his only official trial on November 3 and has ‘’come on in leaps and bounds’’.
“His trial at Canterbury was okay, he was a bit raw and new,’’ he said.
“He's more of a two-year-old than Plenty in terms of physicality. He's more of a jump and run horse whereas Plenty, over time, will get out over a bit of ground.’’
It’s interesting to note that in the eight city two-year-old races this season there has been two odds-on favourites and both have been beaten.
They are Rosadiblu ($1.95) at Canterbury on Wednesday and Sangita ($1.95), also at Canterbury, on October 27.
Prices of Sydney 2YO winners September 30-November 22
$5.00 Performer (September 30)
$6.50 Satin Slipper (September 30)
$4.80 Legend Of Condor (October 14)
$9.00 Legislation (October 21)
$3.90 Elessedil (October 27) - Sangita $1.95
$2.50 Neutrality (November 4)
$4.20 Dynamited (November 11)
$5.50 Gongs (November 22) - Rosadiblu $1.95
The shortest priced winning two-year-old in the metro area has been the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Neutrality ($2.50) and the longest, also from the Snowden camp, is Legislation ($9).
Co-trainer Paul Snowden said the stable’s two Golden Gift runners, debutant Cosmio and unbeaten filly Californiasurprise, should not be underestimated.
For Cosimo it’ll be hopefully third time lucky to the races after having his original debut deleted due to insufficient acceptances and his second shot at Kembla Grange last weekend washed out.
Californiasurprise won the Greg Cribb Memorial at Muswellbrook as a $1.65 favourite – it’s a race named in honour of Paul Snowden’s uncle and one regularly targeted by the stable.
“Cosimo has shown above average ability, he’s a nice horse and has a nice style about him in the way he moves and hits the line in his work,’’ Snowden said.
“The filly was sent up for that race which is close to the family’s heart and was good enough to win. She will improve and will be one of his main opponents.’’
Check out the fields, form and replays for Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.