Winter Challenge winner Coup Ay Tee appears poised to claim consecutive successes when contesting Saturday’s Clubsnsw Spring Preview Handicap at Rosehill.
Photo by Racing and Sports
The Chris Waller-trained gelding upstaged his more fancied stablemate Bayrir in the Winter Challenge last start and a fortnight later is the favourite in Saturday’s Clubsnsw Spring Preview Handicap (1400m).
Coup Ay Tee certainly deserves favouritism as well when looking at his rivals.
Most of the field are resuming middle distance/staying types commencing spring preparations while sprinter/milers in the race such as Soledad and Havana Rey are struggling to find their best.
While most in this field are being aimed up towards spring goals including the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, Coup Ay Tee is rock hard fit and in good form.
The way he burst through a narrow split late in the Winter Challenge was most impressive and now appears to find himself contesting an easier race.
Coup Ay Tee generally settles worse than midfield in his races but suspect he will be positioned midfield in a contest which doesn’t look to possess a great deal of pace with perhaps the exception of Havana Rey.
Nash Rawiller stays aboard and the pair can combine for another success.
In the opening race of the program, Kirov is searching for a third straight win and is currently quoted as an each way chance.
The Tim Martin-trained colt was a comfortable winner at this track and distance last start where he had the measure of a couple he faces again here, Sugar Rush and Double Eagle.
Kirov was strong right to the line on that occasion and should be open to improvement still relatively early in his preparation.
Bowman stays aboard and courtesy of the promising Champagne Cath in the race, a healthy each way quote is offered and does appeal.
Kirov is nominated for the Caulfield Guineas and the Al Maher colt can take another step towards that goal at Rosehill on Saturday.
Less than one point separates the first four in the market for the Merrylands RSL Club Handicap (1500m).
The weakest case can be made for Red Excitement and therefore is the Lay Of The Day.
His last start win at Warwick Farm was a soft one, albeit not against the strongest company.
Red Excitement now lines up in a race containing some very promising types including Burbero, Photon Willie and Magic In The Mix.
The gelding has been up for a while and now has his first start as an older horse after racing solely against three-year-old company since resuming in April.
After 19 starts, it appears Red Excitement has found his mark while the four-year-olds more lightly-raced rivals still have that upside.
SYDNEY SPECIALS
Banker: Race 2 #3 Coup Ay Tee @ $2.80
Play Of The Day: Race 1 #1 Kirov @ $6.00
Lay Of The Day: Race 4 #3 Red Excitement @ $4.20
