Stable Watch: Royal Randwick

UNDER the scraggy Canberran coats are two fleet-footed chances for Randwick joy, discovers Daily Telegraph racing editor Ray Thomas.

Dance Of Heroes proved too strong at Rosehill over 2000m last Saturday and has the versatility to cope with the 1800m. Picture: Simon Bullard

TRAINER Keith Dryden concedes some punters could be put off by the appearance of stablemates Beau Tirage and Flash In The Dark in the mounting yard before the TAB Highway Plate (1100m) at Randwick on Saturday — but looks can be deceiving.

“They are both a bit scraggy in the coat because of the cold mornings,’’ the Canberra-based trainer said.

“But both horses are going really well and I’d be disappointed if they didn’t run competitive races.’’

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R1: RB ELECTRICAL AND COMMS PLATE (1400m)

Trainer Marc Quinn’s Group 1 ambitions with Cogliere will be put to the test against a smart field of youngsters. “If Cogliere runs well (tomorrow) then I will aim him at the J.J. Atkins Stakes at Eagle Farm in two weeks,’’ Quinn said. “Cogliere has improved after his first-up run at Wagga Wagga, where it was very hard to make ground, and his closing sectionals were good.’’

R2: TAB HIGHWAY PLATE (1100m)

Consistent stablemates Beau Tirage and Flash In The Dark give Dryden a strong hand.

“Beau Tirage is going really well, he just keeps running into good horses all the time,’’ Dryden lamented.

“Even in this race he is not well weighted compared to Barbara Joseph’s horse (Wonderbolt) but we are using an apprentice (Matthew McGillivray) to claim 2kg. Flash In The Dark ran well in the TAB Highway at Rosehill last start (second behind Royal Engineer) and she has done everything right since.’’

R3: CANDANA HCP (1400m)

Gai Waterhouse isn’t concerned about bringing Themis back from 2000m after the filly failed in the Doomben Roses last start: “Themis just didn’t run the distance. But she is very fit, back in class and on her home track. If she runs as well as I expect then she will go to Melbourne for the fillies series during winter.’’

R4: EVANS AND PARTNERS HCP (2000m)

High Dreamer, an impressive winner of his past two starts, takes on a field loaded with potential Queensland Derby contenders.

Trainer Paul Perry said High Dreamer would be aimed at the Derby if he can extend his winning sequence after fast-finishing wins at Gosford and Scone against older horses.

R5: AT SEA HANDICAP (1100m)

Rival sprinters have needed to “break the clock” to beat Inz’n’Out in 1100m sprints at the Hawkesbury and Scone stand-alone meetings.

Furnaces ran 1min 1.35sec to win the Hawkesbury Rush from Inz’n’Out before Kaepernick zoomed away with the Ortensia Stakes at Scone, running 1:02.66. Trainer Gerald Ryan said Inz’n’Out’s successive seconds in those feature sprints had the ­gelding primed for the Randwick race.

“Inz’n’Out is a good, honest little horse who tries every time,’’ Ryan said. “He’s only missed a place twice in 17 starts.’’

R6: PROVIDENCE HCP (1200m)

Trainer Norm Gardner elected to withdraw Atom Eve from the TAB Highway and run the promising filly against her own sex in the 1200m sprint.

“She has less weight in this race and I felt she is better suited over this trip than at 1100m,’’ Gardner said.

“I was happy enough with her Hawkesbury run first-up (third behind Noble Joey). She had a slight hamstring issue after that race but she has come right and her work has been very good.’’

Zatopaz (rails) is a natural when it comes to maintaining his fitness says Bjorn Baker. Picture: Waide Maguire

R7: W.J. MCKELL CUP (2400m)

Zatopaz won’t lack for race fitness despite going into the McKell Cup after just two runs from a spell, ­according to trainer Bjorn Baker.

“His fitness is not an issue as he is a natural athlete, a real stayer,’’ Baker said. “I thought his effort the other day (close second to Vassal) was super and he has taken good improvement from that run. I know he’s at big odds but I’m confident he will run a good race.’’

R8: HARVEY NORMAN HCP (1800m)

Dance Of Heroes’ proven ability on the quick back-up is a source of confidence for jockey Glyn Schofield.

Twice during his race career, Dance Of Heroes has had two runs within seven days and performed well each time. Dance Of Heroes proved too tough for Hipparchus at Rosehill over 2000m last Saturday and has the versatility to cope with the 1800m.

“He can be a quirky horse and it depends on what mood he is in, but he has ability,’’ Schofield added.

R9: ONE SOLUTIONS HCP (1400m)

Jason Coyle admires Zedfast’s competitiveness and consistency.

?“He never runs a bad race,’’ the trainer said.

?“He is a genuine chaser, he wants to get past them. All his runs this prep have been very good.

“Barrier two is OK, he is going to be back in the field and, at the end of the day, the key to him is what sort of luck he gets from the 600m.’’

Originally published as Stable Watch: Royal Randwick