Kensington preview: Co-trainer Gerald Ryan anticipates strong performances from She Conquers and Harry’s Evidence

Trainer Gerald Ryan believes a significant weight drop and improved track conditions can propel She Conquers to an unexpected victory.

She Conquers will appreciate a firmer track and a big weight drop when she heads to the Kensington. Picture: Bradley Photos

A big drop in weight and a better surface can see handy filly She Conquers cause an upset according to co-trainer Gerald Ryan.

She Conquers didn’t appreciate the Heavy 10 at Newcastle last start when a safely held fourth behind Lunaite.

Prior to that, she was a handy third behind Quartz Legend on a Good 4 over an unsuitably short 1000m at Kembla on April 19 before returning three weeks later to score by a nose from Lyles on a Soft 6 over 1200m.

“She has shown us that she has her fair share of ability,” said Ryan who trains in partnership with Sterling Alexiou.

“She ran really well on debut at Kembla to finish third then we took her to Canterbury and she went awful on the heavy track.

A HUGE performance! 🔥

She Conquers sails down the outside to win Race 1 at Hawkesbury.

@GRyanRacing @G1TySchilpic.twitter.com/ONCb1J0gcQ

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 15, 2024

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“We decided not to run her on a heavy track again but she needed to have a run the other day. Her wheels just spun in the ground at Newcastle.

“She was good her two runs before that.”

The three-year-old daughter of Unite And Conquer opened at $13 with TAB Fixed Odds and eased out to $19 behind Super Nui who was $2.50 out to $3.60 in the Hellbent @ Yarraman Park Handicap (1400m) but Ryan feels she shouldn’t under estimated.

“She is a filly I have a little a bit of time for and I have always thought she is up to winning a race like this,” he said.

“The firmer the track, the better she will go and stepping up to 1400 metres. I expect her to acquit herself well.

“She carried 60.5kg at Kembla and drops to 54.5kg this week.”

In the opening race, the TAB Handicap Maiden (1150m) Ryan and Alexiou saddle up Harry’s Evidence.

The three-year-old son of Harry Angel was backed into a pods-on favourite on debut when runner-up behind Columbia Blue at Hawkesbury on May 27.

“It was a good run on debut,” Ryan said.

“Even though he trialled at Warwick Farm last July, it was his first time away from home this time in and just got a bit lost and wandered around.

Great to see COLUMBIA BLUE inherit some of the speed of his uncle, SUPER ONE!

He was a $150k yearling from @BellRiver_BR at @inglis_sales Classic 2023.

Thank you @PrideRacing & Adam Hyeronimus! pic.twitter.com/JA6CO5Ayfv

— PR🟢VEN Thoroughbreds (@ProvenTbreds) May 27, 2025

“I would sooner see them do it in their trials than at their first race start but he ran well.

“He was just beaten by a fitter racehorse on the day who had that race experience.”

The son of Harry Angel opened at $6 behind fellow Rosehill prepared gelding, Cold Brew at $2.90.

“You would think he will take plenty of improvement from the experience and he now has a decent hit out under his belt,” he said.

“I also think getting back on a better surface will help him. It was a Heavy 10 the other day.

“I think he will acquit him very well.”

Ryan and Alexiou are hoping She Conquers and Harry’s Evidence can end a run of near misses after six minor placings from their last nine runners.

“It gets a bit frustrating and hopefully they get a bit of luck go their way.”

Ryan and Alexiou also have some good chances at their home track meeting on Saturday with Silentsar and High Blue Sea resuming while Pajanti is looking to bounce back after a luckless run at Rosehill two weeks ago.

“Silentsar and High Blue Sea have come back well and have trialled nicely,” Ryan said.

“Silentsar, the ground doesn’t worry him a great deal but High Blue Sea prefers a firmer deck.

“If the rain doesn’t come, he will be in there with a real chance.

“Pajanti was good first-up didn’t have a lot of luck the other day.”

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Trainer John Sargent has three options this week with in-form stayer Casual Connection including a couple of stakes races but is leaning toward the easiest scenario at home.

Sargent has Casual Connection nominated for the Listed Winter Cup (2400m) at Rosehill and the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (3200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday but feels the Benchmark 78 Handicap (2400m) on the Kensington is the way to go.

“It’s an easier option on the Kensington obviously so we might go there,” said Sargent.

“It’s not a strong field, Molly (Bourke) knows him well and it looks a good race for him.”

Casual Connection has been up for quite a while but continues to race with plenty of zest with wins at two of his last five starts along with a handy third.

The son of Complacent is coming off a near three length win from Wuddzz in this same grade and over the same distance at Randwick on May 24.

🤝 Casual Connection relishes on the heavy track and brains them at Randwick!@jsargentracing | @MollyBourke7pic.twitter.com/9q8VKDeho9

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025

“While he is racing well and with confidence, we will keep him going in his grade,” he said.

“It’s just across the road and he has raced well on the Kensington before although he hasn’t won there.

“He runs on speed and can get going before the turn. He’s a big, free rolling horse.

“As long as the track is soft or worse; that’s what he likes.

“It should be ideal for him. We will just keep our fingers crossed.”

Sargent has been pleased with lightly-raced three-year-old Vetwelve and feels he is knocking on the door for his first win in the Maiden Plate (1400m).

The son of Grunt resumed this preparation with a third behind Kundabung over this track and distance in a Super Maiden on May 14 before a fourth behind Homeric but with excuses at Kembla on May 31.

“I thought his first-up run was very good but in his second-up run, he didn’t handle the very heavy track,” Sargent said.

“He was in the worst going down near the rail and it just didn’t work out.

“I think with the better track conditions this week, you will see a better horse.

“Nash (Rawiller) is back on this week. He rode him first-up so he knows him well.

“He is right in form now and he is as fit as we can get him this looks a good chance for him to clear the maiden ranks as long as he gets a trouble free run.”

Originally published as Kensington preview: Co-trainer Gerald Ryan anticipates strong performances from She Conquers and Harry’s Evidence