Latest News

By Ray Hickson

Nothing but quotes from jockey Brenton Avdulla who gives a rundown on all seven of his rides, headlined by Chautauqua, at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Viridine ($6.00 TAB) – R3 Schweppes Heritage Stakes (1100m)

"I’ve only had the one steer on him in his first trial. You always have to respect Godolphin horses especially when they are two from two.

"He’s won two Saturday races, one over 1100m and one over 1200m, he’s handled good and soft and he’s drawn well. It’s a good little race but I expect him to put himself somewhere just behind the speed and run well.''

New Tipperary ($21 TAB) – R4 G3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m)

"He’s a funny horse. Very rarely would he trial well, they are always pretty lacklustre and he generally gets out the back and doesn’t get interested. He’s more a racehorse on game day.

"For me getting a guide on him has always been how he feels. If I’m happy with his action and the way he’s moving then I’m happy. He’s felt good in both trials and is ready to go to the races.

"He appreciates firm surfaces and I think that was the undoing of him last prep. He probably takes a run to come to hand but I’m sure he will run okay.''

Regimen ($15 TAB) – R5 G2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m)

"She’s up in grade a lot but she’s stiff not to be three from three. I did have a bit to do with her before she went to the races and I’ve always had a nice opinion of her.

"She obviously has to make the step up to stakes grade but she is a talented filly, she’s drawn well to get a nice run on speed and I can see her running well.''

Foxplay ($14 TAB) – R6 G1 Colgate Optic White Stakes (1600m)

"I’ve never ridden her but when you ride these top line horses you’ve seen plenty of them so you know what they are like. I thought she was terrific first-up, nearly beating Winx.

"She’s drawn to get a good run again and if Winx is having a bad day she can turn up and run well again. She has good acceleration at the end of her race when you can get her comfortable. If she can hold her form off the other day she will run well.''

Chautauqua ($3.90 TAB) – R7 G2 The Shorts (1100m)

"He’s won three TJ Smiths in a row and was in impossible positions in all three of them. He has a good affinity with Randwick and he goes on all conditions. He’s a little bit of a quirky horse and both his trials have been good.

"I haven’t opened up the cylinders so I haven’t got anywhere near the bottom of him. For me it’s exciting to get on him on Saturday, give him a spin around and learn more about him heading to the grand final in a month’s time.

"There should be some sort of pressure and if he’s there to win he’s there to win.''

Life Less Ordinary ($4.00 TAB) – R8 G3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m)

"I trialled him before he went to the races for the first time in Melbourne and I liked him a lot. He was awesome first-up behind Comin’ Through and behind Winx the other day he might have raced with the edge off him a little bit but he was in a Group 2 WFA race.

"Third-up, up in distance he can put himself somewhere behind them midfield and I’m sure he’ll be right there in the firing line late.''

Echo Effect ($7.50 TAB) – R9 Tab.com.au Handicap (1200m)

"I think he’s a talented horse. He has raced in some good company and it’s taken some decent enough horses to beat him. But he doesn’t help himself, he wants to get on the bridle and run a bit.

"This prep Kristen has tried to get him to settle in both his trials. I rode him the other day, he wanted to fight me a little bit but going to a 1200m last race of the day I’m sure they’ll bowl along at a good speed and if he can get any luck in finding somewhere to relax in the running line I’m sure he’ll run really well.''

Check out the fields, form and replays for Royal Randwick on Saturday