Date posted August 20, 2010 | Posted by Michele Cullen | Filed under
Racing and BreedingThe return of some of Australia’s best racehorses will line up in the Group 2 Warwick Stakes on Saturday with eight individual Group I winners among the field of 14 for this weekends stakes feature event.
The weight-for-age sprint feature has been won by some outstanding champions including Lonhro (Octagonal – Shadea by Straight Strike) in 2001 and 2003, and arguably Australasia’s best ever racemare Sunline (Desert Sun – Songline by Western Symphony) in 1999.
Sunline
With eight individual Group I winners among the field of 14 for the $175,000 feature it appears Chris Waller holds a vital key with the Group I MVRC Manikato Stakes and STC George Ryder winner, Danleigh (Mujahid – Graceful Lily by Dr. Grace).
Danleigh is the current favourite with TAB Sportsbet in the early pre-post lists at 7/4 ($2.80) and has the services of Hugh Bowman.
Descarado (High Chaparral - Karamea Lady by Lord Ballina) runner-up to Shoot Out in the Group I AJC Derby can run well fresh. Trained at Randwick by Gai Waterhouse he is bound to be forward in condition.
While, Dealer Principal (Flying Spur – Volte by Marauding) returns to the races after a long spell and must be considered a chance especially if the track continues to improve and is rated ‘dead’ or better on race morning.
I’m going to include Purple (Commands – Lady Viola by Zabeel) and Count Encosta (Encosta de Lago – Sovereign Countess by Sovereign Red) as both are trained at the course, and, generally horses trained at ‘The Farm’ race well at home.
Selections: Danleigh from the four-year-olds Descarado and Count Encosta with a watch on Dealer Principal if the track is firm and Purple if the track has some juice in it.
Previous winners Group 2 AJC Warwick Stakes
1993-94 Prince of Praise (NZ)
1994-95 March Hare
1995-96 Star Dancer (NZ)
1996-97 Filante (NZ)
1997-98 Filante (NZ)
1998-99 What Can I Say (NZ)
1999-00 Sunline (NZ)
2000-01 Al Mansour
2001-02 Lonhro
2002-03 Defier
2003-04 Lonhro
2004-05 Private Steer
2005-06 Sir Dex
2006-07 Court’s in Session
2007-08 race abandoned
2008-09 Racing to Win
2009-10 Trusting
