Jockey Peter Robl is confident in his near full book of rides at Warwick Farm tomorrow with a majority of them considered winning hopes in their respective events.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Robl would have possessed a full book of rides for tomorrow's Warwick Farm meeting if it weren't for the early scratching of Gybe. Regardless, the experienced jockey will still partner a number of runners who he has previously enjoyed success with.
“I'm over the moon with the book of rides I've got,” Robl said.
“They all look like nice rides on paper so hopefully we can produce something. I expect them to all run good races and finish around the mark so hopefully a couple of the can finish in front of all the rest.”
One of the leading hopes in an open field, Robl's day commences aboard the Gerry Harvey-owned Moonstones who steps up to weekend city company for the first time in search of a third straight win.
“He's a nice horse, he's a Zabeel four-year-old so he is only going to keep on improving,” Robl said.
“His last two runs he has won nice and he progresses into a Saturday race now but I think he is up to the class no problems at all.”
Robl is booked to ride in both two-year-old events partnering impressive last start winner Agueda in the fillies division.
Agueda ran good figures when taking out a midweek city event at Gosford last start after finishing runner up behind Raceway the start prior.
The Gooree-owned juvenile meets two overwhelming favourites in the form of Driefontein and Hussousa however Robl believes his mount is capable of further improvement.
“She's got really good formlines having finished second behind Raceway who is the Slipper favourite, albeit by four lengths,” Robl said.
“I think he is a clear odds on favourite again on Saturday.
“She went up to Gosford and had a kill where she ran really good time. There are two hotties in this race with Driefontein and Hussousa but she has drawn to get a perfect run and they will all know she is in the race.”
Robl jumps aboard another General Nediym two-year-old in the Canonbury Stakes (1100m).
Nediym's Quest makes his debut in the Listed event after winning an 800m Warwick Farm barrier trial on February 18.
Robl was also aboard the David Pfieffer-trained colt on that occasion.
“He is a very nice colt, still very much open to a lot of improvement,” Robl said.
“He ran very smart time when he won his trial. He steps into a very hot race for his debut but I think he will be more than competitive and take plenty of improvement from the run.
“I think he will run top three. Whether or not he can beat Raceway well we'll just have to wait until Saturday and see but he is a definite top 3 finisher.”
Robl stays aboard another last start winner of his in the fourth with the Anthony Cummings-trained Upbeat.
The promising three-year-old jumps in class for the Comfort Inn Liverpool Benchmark 85 Handicap (1600m) after winning at Rosehill on Jan 14.
“He ran very well last start and gets into this with 53kg on his back,” Robl said.
“He races up on the speed and is going to give himself every chance. It is a hard enough race for him but I think he can step up to the plate and finish amongst the first three or four.”
While not considered a leading chance in Saturday's Group 2 Royal Sovereign Stakes, Darci Be Good resumes in the high quality affier on his way towards the Group 1 AJC Derby.
Kembla Grange-based trainer Bede Murray galloped the Group 1 runner up at Randwick on Tuesday with Robl aboard.
“He gave me a lovely feel,” Robl said.
“He worked over six furlongs and it was really nice stepping into this. First up here he is naturally going to find this race a bit too sharp.
“I'm sure he will take good improvement from the race and then hopefully full steam ahead into the Hobartville to the Guineas to the Derby.
“I'm just down to ride him on Saturday at this stage. Hopefully though I can give him a good ride, he runs well and we can continue the association.”
Bereft failed to live up to his favourite status last start however Robl stays aboard and expects an improved result.
“He had no luck at all at Canterbury,” Robl said.
“His run before that was really good and I think with a kinder run in transit back to the 1300m on what will hopefully still be a soft track I think he will bounce back no problems at all.”
