Gerald Ryan has included Bachman and Ygritte in the 2015 Hawkesbury Guineas and the veteran trainer is happy with both gallopers heading into the Group 3 event.
Bachman is one of two Gerald Ryan-trained runners in the 2015 Hawkesbury Guineas. Photo by: Steve Hart
Bachman was injured in the lead-up to the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2400m) last year and he was sent for a lengthy stint in the spelling paddock before he returned to racing with a credible seventh in the EGroup Security Handicap (1200m) at Royal Randwick on April 18.
Ryan said that he was happy with the first-up effort of Bachman and he confirmed that the All American colt would head to the Group 3 Sunshine Coast Guineas (1600m) on May 16, the Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes (2000m) at Doomben on May 23 and the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2200m) at the same venue a week later.
“Bachman has come along really good,” Ryan told Racing Ahead.
“He was injured just before the Victorian Derby when he was ticking over really good and was going to go into that race with a good chance.
“I was really happy with his first-up run and he has been aimed towards the Queensland Derby.
“He will run Saturday, his work has improved, his fitness levels have improved and 1400 metres will help him.
“He has come along really well and I am really happy.”
Ygritte returned to winning form when she took out the Listed Gosford Guineas (1200m) on April 2 and she overraced outside the leader before tiring to finish third in the Listed South Pacific Classic (1400m) at Royal Randwick on April 11.
Ryan said that Ygritte will need plenty of early speed in the Hawkesbury Guineas to be order to settle just off the leader and he admits that there is a question mark over the ability of the Snitzel filly to run out a strong 1400 metres.
“Ygritte is a good honest filly and she loves the wet track,” Ryan said.
“She is a question mark at the 1400 and I just hope that there is enough speed in the race that she can be ridden with a sit and just back off them, so she doesn’t have to be outside the leaders like she was in her last start at Randwick.
“If that happens it diminishes her chances, but if she can get a nice run just off the speed like she did at Gosford she will be hard to beat.”
Ygritte is currently available at 2015 Hawkesbury Guineas odds of $8, while Bachman has drifted out to a quote of $17 to return to winning form.
