Godolphin trainer John O'Shea reports on stable runners at Caulfield and Randwick on February 11.
CAULFIELD
PEACOCK (Craig Williams): “He’s dropping back in grade from the Australia Stakes where I thought he ran very well. Craig (Williams) was very pleased with his run at the Valley and he’s drawn well. He’s probably as good a chance as we have this weekend.”
Race 4 - Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m)
MARSUPIAL (Ben Melham): “He did a good job to win at his only start. He’s had a look at Caulfield this week and seemed to handle it well enough. The draw gives him the chance to take a good position. I’ll make a decision on where he goes next after Saturday.Race 8 - TS Carlyon Cup (1600m)
TALLY (Kerrin McEvoy): “He’s coming back off a very good spring campaign and this race looks like a good starting point. Most of his racing has been in Melbourne and he rarely puts in a bad one. We’re looking forward to another good prep leading up to the Australian Cup.”RANDWICK
Race 5 - Southern Cross Stakes (1200m)IMPENDING (Brenton Avdulla): “He’s had one trial which and put in an acceptable effort. What he has going for him is that he’s well treated under the conditions here with 53.5kg. He’ll go on to the Canterbury Stakes and we’ll be keeping him to 1400m at this stage.”
Race 6 - Apollo Stakes (1400m)AMBIENCE (Kathy O’Hara)/MAGIC HURRICANE (Christian Reith): “They’re both on track for the BMW. Both horses have trialled well and it will be good to get them started on a soft track. Ambience had a good break after running well right through the autumn and then in Brisbane. Both of them have come back well and we’re looking for them to running nicely.”
HARTNELL (James Doyle): “He’s come back in great shape, I couldn’t be happier with his attitude and his fitness level. We’re looking forward to a good, positive day. It’s likely that the track will be rain affected which will be good for him. His trial was what we wanted, he’s come along nicely since then. We’re really looking forward to him getting started off on Saturday and to the rest of the campaign. From here he goes to the Chipping Norton in two weeks and then the Ranvet and the Queen Elizabeth.”Race 8 - Light Fingers Stakes (1200m)
GRIDELIN (James Doyle): “This is a step up, but she’s in form and she showed last start that she can handle the soft.”Race 9 - Triscay Stakes (1200m)
PEARLS (James Doyle): “She performs well fresh and she loves Randwick. She showed us last prep that the 1600m was probably beyond her so we’ll be keeping her to shorter races.”