With the Inglis Easter Sale kicking off next week, those in town for the sales have the option of taking in a top-class days of racing at Randwick Saturday featuring nine group races, including four at Group 1 level.
The ATC Sires' Produce S. is one of those events and it features three horses renewing their rivalry from the Mar. 21 G1 Golden Slipper S. and a pair of unbeaten juveniles among a total field of 11 starters. Trainer Gai Waterhouse has confirmed Golden Slipper runner-up English (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}) a definite starter in the 1400-meter event and reported the filly in good shape following her defeat at the hands of stablemate Vancouver (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro).
“She's fantastic,” said Waterhouse. “Her work on Saturday morning was absolutely super.”
Reopposing Saturday are both the fourth-placed Ready For Victory (Aus) (More Than Ready) and eighth- placed Odyssey Moon (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}). The former has less than four lengths to make up on English and while Odyssey Moon has over 10 lengths to find, his trainer Rodney Northam feels there is more to come from his colt.
“He hit the line very strongly in the Slipper”, Northam told the Daily Telegraph. “His closing sectionals were very good; Ryan Moore got off and said the colt was looking for the extra furlong now.”
Racing in the blue silks of Godolphin, Tarquin (Aus) (Hard Spun) will bid to extend his unbeaten run to three. The John O'Shea trainee broke his maiden at Newcastle in February before winning the G2 Pago Pago S. at Rosehill last month under Dubai World Cup winning jockey William Buick. James McDonald will be in the saddle on Saturday when Tarquin tackles 1400 meters for the first time.
The other unbeaten horse in the line up is the filly Pasadena Girl (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}). Two from two at Flemington, the Peter Moody trainee followed up her debut listed success Feb. 21 with a win in the G3 TBV Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes over 1200 meters Mar. 14. Pasadena Girl also stretches out to 1400 metres for the first time.
Adding further intrigue to this contest is Group 1 winner Pride Of Dubai (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}). The colt has made smart progress this year, placing in his first two starts before getting on the score-sheet in style when winning the G1 Blue Diamond S. at Caulfield Feb. 28. Trained by Peter & Paul Snowden for the intriguing ownership group of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, Coolmore, China Horse Club Racing Pty Ltd & Emmaroo Bloodstock, the bay could well make it a Group 1 double.
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