Jockey Damian Lane has no doubts that former Kiwi trained filly Risque will handle the step up to 2000m in the Group 1 $500,000 Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.
Jockey Damian Lane has no worries that Risque, above, will run out a strong 2000m in the Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Risque was strong for Lane at the end of 1600m when third to Palentino in the Group 1 $750,000 Australian Guineas at Flemington indicating that she will be able to get the extra 400m against the fillies this week.
“Just how strong she was to the line in that race gives me confidence that she’ll get the 2000,” Lane told AAP.
“Off that run you’d be pretty confident she will run well.”
“She was wide and I had to go earlier than I wanted to because of Tivaci circling the field.”
The Australian Guineas was Risque’s second run for the Lindsay Park Team of David Hayes and Tom Dabernig who were able to produce the Darci Brahma filly for a first up win for the stable in the Group 3 $150,000 Kevin Hayes Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 13.
Risque was a winner of three of her first six starts in New Zealand under the care of Matamata trainer Stephen Autridge and was transferred to Lindsay Park after winning the Group 1 NZ$300,000 New Zealand Bloodstock 43rd 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton Park, NZ, on November 14.
Lane has been aboard Risque at her two Australian starts and feels that the filly has a lot more improvement left in her heading deeper in the Sydney Autumn Carnival.
“She’s a filly that has impressed me from the first time I rode her and I think she’s only improved,” Lane said.
“I also think she’s still got improvement in her and I think she’ll be no worries at the 2000 metres.”
A good performance in the Vinery Stud Stakes will help Hayes and Dabernig map out the remainder the Autumn Carnival for Risque who is also nominated for the Group 1 $3m The Star Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on day one of “The Championships’ and for the Group 1 $1m James Boags Premium Australian Oaks (2400m) and the Group 1 $1m Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on day two.
Risque is well in contention in the betting for the Vinery Stud Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au and is the $3.80 second favourite behind Crown Oaks winner Jameka who heads the market order at $3.50.
First emergency Happy Hannah is the only other filly under double figures at $5.50.
Market order for the Vinery Stud Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3.50 Jameka, $3.80 Risque, $5.50 Happy Hannah, $11 Capella, Valley Girl, $12 Stay With Me, $13 Asinara, $17 Honesta, $18 Ambience, $19 Single Gaze, $21 Believe, $26 Sailing By, $31 Heartlings, Chabaud, $51 Lonely Orphan, $61 Self Esteem, $126 Peggy’s Cove.
