Latest News

By Greg Prichard

Nothing but quotes from the trainers of every runner in the $1 million Polytrack Provincial-Midway Championships Final (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

1. TAVI TIME (Trainer: Kris Lees, Newcastle): “If he can find a three-deep line with cover from the wide barrier then that’ll be better for him than being cluttered up on the fence, so it’s not necessarily a bad draw. It’s always been the plan to run him in this series. The concern was that 1400 might be too short for him and that’s still our biggest issue, but we’ve tried to keep him as fresh as we can.”

Trainer Edward Cummings (Pic: Steve Hart)

2. STRAIT ACER (Trainer: Edward Cummings, Hawkesbury): “He’s building the right way for the race, for sure. I think if he runs up to his performance in the (Group One) Rupert Clarke in the spring then he’s going to be right in the thick of it. It looks likely that they’ll roll along, but he’s drawn well so he could be close. But wherever he ends up in the run, Mark Zahra will give him his chance to win.”

3. RUBY FLYER (Trainer: Brad Widdup, Hawkesbury): “He’s one that definitely loves the cut in the ground. Damian Lane will give him every chance and I imagine he’ll settle down in the second half of the field. His really best form has been over the 1600 metres, but he was very good in winning the qualifier over 1400 and has had a nice three weeks of final preparation going into Saturday.”

4. AUSBRED FLIRT (Trainer: Brad Widdup, Hawkesbury): “Alysha Collett rode her very well in the qualifier and she’s got the ride again. This race has been a target for the horse all along. She does enjoy it on top of the ground more than rain affected, so it’ll be interesting to see how the track comes up on Saturday. But she’s in good order, she’s got a good barrier, so she should run well.”

5. SHADOWS OF LOVE (Trainer: Kim Waugh, Wyong): “Really happy with her, she’s done really well since her last run. She’s drawn a bit tricky, but Tommy Berry will do his best to sort that out. Hopefully she can get some nice cover back in the field somewhere. She’ll run the 1400, no worries about that. It’s a strong field and a tough race, but she’s a great competitor and a real professional.”

6. TERRA MATER (Trainer: Jarrod Austin, Warwick Farm): “Couldn’t be happier. She’s definitely improved from the run when she won the wild card at Newcastle, so she goes into this race third-up and peaking at the right time. Little bit of an awkward barrier, but we’ve got the right man on-board to overcome that in Nash Rawiller. She loves to win, that’s for sure. I think she’s been overlooked a bit.”

7. SHORT SHORTS (Trainer: Brad Widdup, Hawkesbury): “She’s similar to Ausbred Flirt in that she’s won on the soft but likes it best on top of the ground. She’s been aimed at this the whole way along and we ran her in the heat that best suited her, at Hawkesbury. I couldn’t be happier with her. She’s had three weeks to lead her into this race and that suits her.”

8. TERRITORY EXPRESS (Trainer: Paul Niceforo, Kembla Grange): “I can’t fault him. He’s cherry ripe. The distance if anything is a bit short for him, so we’ve done our best to keep him a bit fresh. Brilliant run at his last start in the Group Two race at Rosehill and his qualifier win before that was very good. He misses the start normally and gets back in the field, so we’re just hoping for a clear run from there.”

Trainer Paul Niceforo (Pic: Grant Guy)

9. VICTORY LANE (Trainer: Robert and Luke Price, Kembla Grange): “He’s in really good shape. We’ve drawn the car park, but we’re not too concerned because there’s only one bend from the 1400-metre chute and we’d be happy with a three-deep trail. It’s a quality final, but he’s ready to go. The 1400 is right up his alley. He’s third-up and has tended to get better a few runs into each prep.”

10. WILLAIDOW (Trainer: Marc Conners, Warwick Farm): “We’re really happy with him. After qualifying he had a decent break going into his last start at Rosehill and he ran well. That run has tightened him up. Had a nice gallop at Randwick on Tuesday and he’s in really good form. He’s proved himself over the distance, got a good barrier and he’s going to run a great race.”

11. BALTIC COAST (Trainer: Kris Lees, Newcastle): “Ran well in the wild card at Newcastle and he’s got a top jockey on in Blake Shinn who is riding very well and will give him every chance. He’ll appreciate the solid tempo that I’m expecting in this race. He’ll be somewhere midfield to maybe a bit further back in the run and we’ll see what he can do from there.”

12. CONVINCEBILITY (Trainer: Kris Lees, Newcastle): “I’m not concerned about the wide barrier because he’s an on-pace runner who will go forward anyway. He’ll be ridden in a positive manner and he could easily be the leader. If not, then just off the lead. Whether he’s up to the class is a question mark, but if there’s some give in the ground he’ll appreciate it.”

13. NOSEY PARKER (SCRATCHED).

14. WILLINGA FREEFALL (Trainer: Kris Lees, Newcastle): “Ran well in the wild card, which traditionally stands up as a good form reference for the final. He won’t be far off in the run - midfield or so. Good barrier and he’s got James McDonald on-board, so he gets a few ticks. Very consistent horse, he’s won or been placed at his last six starts. Hopefully he’ll be around the money again.”

15. WILLINGA BEAST (Trainer: Kris Lees, Newcastle): “Running in the TJ Smith last week was good for her. Took on the best sprinters in the land and beaten under three lengths, so that’s got to be good form going back to a restricted 1400-metre race. She pulled up well from that. She’s unproven at 1400, but a mare in form is always hard to hold out. We’re optimistic about a good run.”

16. LITTLE BEGINNINGS (Trainer: Kris Lees, Newcastle): “He’s another consistent horse that ran well in the wild card, finishing off nicely and narrowly missing making the field in the first place, so now that he has got a run I think he deserves his chance. From the wide barrier he’ll probably go back and just look for the best way home. Good to be able to get a jockey like Tom Marquand this late.”

All the fields, form and replays for Day 2 of The Star Championships at Randwick