A host of spring carnival types are returning from their winter spells at Randwick on Saturday with the key question being, how well have they returned?
Four Group races are conducted at Randwick on Saturday and as expected, a majority of those runners are resuming.
There is always a query on how these spring types have returned and respecting first up records is essential.
Early money also has to be closely observed.
Passing both of these tests is the Chris Waller-trained Omei Sword who contests the Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m).
The High Chaparral mare resumes after failing to deliver as favourite when seventh in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m).
Omei Sword had excuses on that occasion, incurring a three month ban for having bled.
The start prior she was charging home late to run second in the Group 2 Surround Stakes on a testing track behind New Zealand filly La Bella Diosa.
Her first three-year-old campaign was even more impressive, winning the Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) in dominant fashion before a gallant second to the impressive Astern in the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m).
She ran to a Timeform rating of 115 in both those starts.
Such an impressive figure reads well for Omei Sword down on the limit weight contesting the Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m).
Weight adjusted ratings have the mare mighty hard to beat at Randwick on Saturday.
While the $4.00 about Omei Sword initially on offer is no longer available, she still appeals at black figure odds.
Earlier in the card, Ebenos appeals at each way odds contesting the Broccolini Benchmark 90 Handicap (1400m).
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained gelding showed good improvement on his first up outing when closing strongly into second contesting a Benchmark 77 Handicap (1100m) at Canterbury.
Ebenos settled back and charged home late to record a narrow second behind Golden Shoes ten days ago.
The son of I Am Invincible needed a shade further and or a longer straight to be winning on that occasion.
He gets both of those things at Randwick on Saturday.
Ebenos rises from 1100m to 1400m, a trip at which he produced his best career showing over when second in the Canberra Guineas.
Based on what he produced last start and his best, there is still room for improvement.
The four-year-old will be fitter again third run from a spell and carries no deadweight being perfectly poised down on the 53kg limit.
Sydney Specials: Randwick – August 19
Best Of The Day: R8; #7 Omei Sword @ $2.30
Each Way Play: R4; #9 Ebenos @ $6.50
