Big wet in Sydney could force change of plans for Profondo and Lost And Running

Sydney’s wet weather has forced a few stables to look at alternative options for their stars, including Saturday’s Australian Guineas at Flemington, writes Ray Thomas

Robbie Dolan on Profondo competes during barrier trials at Warwick Farm. Picture: Mark Evans–Getty Images

Profondo and Lost And Running could be switched to Melbourne to avoid Sydney’s big wet while Forbidden Love is ready to take advantage of the heavy conditions with an unexpected Group 1 call-up for Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Forbidden Love sailed through extremely heavy conditions to win the Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes last Saturday giving trainers Michael and Richard Freedman reason to consider a seven-day back-up into the Group 1 $500,000 Canterbury Stakes (1300m).

“We would not have entertained the idea of running her in the Canterbury Stakes unless she pulled up as well as she has,’’ Michael Freedman said of Forbidden Love.

“The plan was to wait for the Coolmore Classic in two weeks but she could carry a bit of weight there and draw 15 of 15.

“The Canterbury Stakes is there for her, she has run well at weight-for-age previously and she is a fit, in-form mare who enjoys these heavy tracks.’’

Hugh Bowman wins on Forbidden Love on Saturday.

This is good news for Hall of Famer jockey Hugh Bowman who rode Forbidden Love to her easy last start win and is on standby to ride the mare again if as expected Lost And Running misses the Canterbury Stakes and goes to the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington on March 12.

Boom three-year-old Profondo is among the entries for the Group 1 $1 million Randwick Guineas on Saturday where he could clash with glamour Godolphin colt Anamoe in a stellar showdown.

But trainer Richard Litt has also taken the precaution of entering Profondo in the Group 1 $1 million Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.

“We are in the box seat, one-out one back, sitting and waiting patiently to make a decision where we go with him.’’ Litt said.

Profondo (right) trials with Zaaki earlier this month.

“It is not a nightmare, it is what it is and we are lucky to have the Australian Guineas there as a back-up plan if Sydney doesn’t work.

“I want to go where the best track is for Profondo. Anything worse than a soft 6 at Randwick I would be reluctant to run him so I’d look to make a late ‘run’ and go to Melbourne Thursday night.’’

Profondo, with regular jockey Robbie Dolan in the saddle, impressed with a barrier trial win over Randwick Guineas rival Royalzel on the Warwick Farm polytrack on Monday.

Brilliant filly Coolangatta, the long-time favourite for the $5 million Longines Golden Slipper, is entered for the Group 2 $300,000 Reisling Stakes on Saturday but is a doubtful starter.

Coolangatta was scratched from the Sweet Embrace Stakes last Saturday due to the extremely heavy going and with similar track conditions expected at Randwick this weekend, it is unlikely she will line up in the Reisling.

The Maher-Eustace stable are covering their options and are likely to enter Coolangatta for the Randwick barrier trials on Thursday.

Originally published as Big wet in Sydney could force change of plans for Profondo and Lost And Running