By Brad Gray
Raiment was a very well-fancied favourite on Day 1 of The Championships and although she disappointed, John O’Shea has no doubt that she can bounce back in Saturday’s Group Three JHB Carr Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.
“I’ve forgiven her run the other day. She was wide all the way when you needed to be on the rail,” O’Shea said.
“The 1400 poses no problems for her and she should roll forward and take up a good position. She’s in great order.”
Raiment's forgivable last start effort
Godolphin will also saddle up two imports, Floodlight and Big Blue, in the Group Three JRA Plate (2000m) with the latter making his Australian debut.
“Big Blue’s a lovely horse who has been gelded since his last run in France. He’s had a lovely foundation with a few trials and is a really nice staying horse.”
Floodlight didn’t reproduce his eye-catching Ajax Stakes run in the Neville Sellwood last time out but O’Shea chalked it off to the wet track.
“It was a bit unfortunate that he got the very heavy ground the other day and he had a negative run,” O’Shea said.
“He’s got the blinkers on this week but I wouldn’t be keen to run him on heavy ground.”
Meanwhile, keep an eye out for Duca Valentinois in The Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy (1400m) , the last race on the card, as he tends to race particularly well fresh.
“Duca Valentinois worked brilliantly this morning.”
“He was very unlucky last preparation. He kept drawing bad gates in slowly-run races.”
The five-year-old will be joined by Moher in the field but O’Shea has warned punters that he usually takes a run or two to find his best form.
“We’re happy with the form he’s in and I’m sure he will run a nice race and lay a good foundation for a strong winter campaign.”
Federal will also be decked out in the royal blue in the Group Three TAB Hall Mark Stakes (1200m).
“He has always had a good record first-up and he loves wet ground but he’s got nice improvement to make on whatever he does on Saturday.”