Latest News

By Ray Hickson

It’s far from D-Day for Satirical Glory’s Australian Derby prospects at Warwick Farm on Wednesdsy but trainer John Sargent would like the see the three-year-old make a positive start to his campaign.

While Sargent expects the First Justify Yearlings Handicap (1400m) to be short of Satirical Glory’s best trip he said the groundwork has been done to run well fresh.

The gelding was rested with a Derby tilt in mind after he ran fourth behind Profondo in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes in October.

“He ran really well, and with extra time now he should be up with the big guys when he gets to the distance or further,’’ he said.

“I didn’t take him to Melbourne because sometimes they don’t go on when you take them down there and I thought a break would do him good.

“The further he gets out in distance the better but he’s a lot stronger than in the spring.”

It took Satirical Glory until he reached a mile at his third race start to break through but as the winner of one race in five starts Sargent is wary of the need to perform early in weaker company.

He does meet another lightly raced Derby aspirant in Benaud, who ran fifth in the Spring Champion.

With the claim for Chris Williams, the gelding carries 60kg and Sargent said he’ll be ridden conservatively to be able to be strongest late.

Satirical Glory wins a trial at Rosehill on January 31

“He’s drawn a bit wide but it will get the freshness out of him and he will move on from there,’’ Sargent said.

“He was a bit fresh in the last trial but it has done him good.

“You need luck at Warwick Farm, you can get caught wide from the draw or they could walk, but if he gets a good solid pace and a nice run he could win it.

“You’d like to see him coming into it and showing his form in his first couple of runs. I’d like to get some confidence in him, and have him hitting the line.”

It’s likely if Satirical Glory, $7.50 with TAB on Tuesday, makes it to the Derby it’ll be fourth or fifth up in the preparation and he could head to a Midway for his next start before moving into the three-year-old stakes ranks.

Meanwhile, star filly Four Moves Ahead is set to resume in Saturday’s Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.

Nash Rawiller completed her build up with a gallop on Tuesday morning and while all eyes will be on the boom filly Espiona the trainer couldn’t be happier with his three-year-old.

“She’s very well and is stronger now and she’ll have to be because, boy, it’s going to be a great line up,’’ he said.

“She’s had the two trials and done everything right, I know she will give her best.

“Espiona could be one out of the box but you can’t shy away from them but if we can get the cut out of the track and a decent draw she’ll be a chance.”

Four Moves Ahead finished a close third in the Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) in the spring as favourite before winning the Tea Rose Stakes third-up.

All the fields, form and replays for Tuesday's Hawkesbury meeting