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Trainer John O’Shea reports on the Godolphin runners on Day One of The Championships at Randwick on April 1.
Race 1 - Widden 150th Anniversary Stakes (1100m)
ALIZEE (Joao Moreira): “We’ve got a really nice filly in Alizee. She just got out-toughed in a strong lead up race the other day. The drop back to 1100m should really suit her. I don’t know about her on really heavy ground but she’s a beautiful, quality filly and I think she’ll run very well.“Race 2 - China Horse Club Carbine Club Stakes (1600m)
EUSEBIO (James Doyle): “Eusebio has been a revelation. He has a really strong will-to-win and is very effective in the ground. He hasn’t had a run for a while due to the way the programming has gone, but we’ve done plenty of work with him and I’m sure he’ll be fit enough. He’s an exciting horse for us who has done really well this prep.”Race 3 - Schweppes Chairman's Handicap (2600m)
ALEGRIA (Joao Moreira): “Alegria’s been set for this race. She got beaten a lip in it last year. She’s ticking over very well and she’s very effective in the ground, so there’s no reason why she couldn’t be competitive again.”Race 5 - PJ Bell Stakes (1200m)
MEDAILLE (Joao Moreira): “I’d probably prefer her on top of the ground, but she’s trialled so well, she’s entitled to her chance in Listed grade on Saturday.”RAIMENT (James Doyle): “We have probably our best chance for the day here in Raiment. She was dominant against the older mares last start and at set weights and penalties against her own age and sex is a big advantage for her and she’s very effective in the ground.”
Race 6 - ATC Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m)
VERANILLO (Joao Moreira): “Veranillo has a lovely gate. We’ve tinkered with his gear a little (removed blinkers) and Joao can probably have him a little closer in the run which will be important on Saturday. He’s done well since the Slipper and if anything has probably improved a bit, which he needed to. The last part of his run in the Slipper was good.”
Race 8 - Darley TJ Smith Stakes (1200m)ASTERN: “We just have to hope the rain doesn’t come, because if it got to heavy he wouldn’t run. But on a fair surface he gets a wonderful chance to be competitive. rom gate four I reckon he’ll box seat in a race where there doesn’t look to be a lot of speed. He went to Newcastle last Saturday to blow out a few cobwebs. He’s a happy horse and a fit horse and I think he’ll jump out and put himself into the race.”
Race 9: The Star Doncaster Mile (1600m)HAURAKI (James Doyle): “Unfortunately he hasn’t had the best of preps with all his runs being on heavy ground, and it doesn’t appear he’ll get anything but that again on Saturday. He’s in wonderful form and he has a tremendous record over the mile at Randwick. He’ll just be ridden quietly as always and see if he can come over the top of them. But the horse is in good order, that’s the most important thing.”
IT'S SOMEWHAT (Zac Purton): “It’s Somewhat is probably a very good chance of running in the top four or five. He drops in weight off a good first up win. His record at Randwick at the mile is good – he’s run third to Winx at weight-for-age - he gets through the ground and he’ll roll forward and take up a position. He worked brilliantly here this morning and early in his prep he’s very effective.”SPECTROSCOPE (Joao Moreira): “Spectroscope has come a long way in a short time since arriving from France. He’s in wonderful order, he’s just got to back up, and that’s an unknown element. He’s got a wide draw that I’m hoping Joao can offset with no weight. He gets through the ground which was evident last Saturday and he’s a happy little horse but it’s a challenge for him to go from restricted company to Group One company, even with no weight, at this stage of his career.”
