This spring’s Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas favourite Prince Fawaz looked the goods in a smart exhibition gallop at Randwick’s Kensington track on Saturday despite being beaten to the line by stablemate Libertini.
Prince Fawaz is on track for his spring return in the Group 2 Run To The Rose. Photo: Steve Hart.
The Anthony Cummings-trained duo were both put through their paces in a solid piece of work over the 800m ahead of their respective spring returns.
Jockey Tommy Berry was aboard untapped I Am Invincible filly Libertini who stole the lead from her Group 1 winning stablemate over the final furlong.
Berry allowed her a bit of free reign midway through before restraining her late to keep the winning margin a conservative head.
Rival hoop Nash Rawiller said Fastnet Rock colt Prince Fawaz “felt great” and their Randwick-based trainer Cummings was pleased with both his three-year-olds.
“They worked up to where they are at in their preps and their normal sort of style,” Cummings told Racenet.
“Libertini always likes to show-off a bit and gets keen.
“That’s why we’re spending most of the time trying to get her to tuck in behind, settle, switch off and use herself when she’s asked too.
“The other guy, he just does nothing until you ask him.
“I said to Nash to give him one down the shoulder at the furlong to pick up and go which he did.”
Libertini has had three starts to date for two wins and her second on debut at Randwick in the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes (1100m) during ‘The Championships’ back in April.
Her final run as a two-year-old produced her impressive two length victory at Scone on May 11 in the Listed Woodlands Stakes (1100m) as the odds-on favourite.
She is set to return Saturday week in the Group 2 $200,000 Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) on Winx Stakes Day at Royal Randwick on the course proper where Berry is excited to continue his association.
“She’s worked as good as it looked I guess,” the jockey said.
“They don’t work any better.
“She’s really sharp and ready to go. That was just a little pipe opener and she pulled up really good in the wind.
“Very excited about next week.”
Prince Fawaz meanwhile leads all-in betting at Ladbrokes.com.au for the Group 1 $2 million Ladbrokes Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 12 at a current quote of $11.
His campaign kick-off is scheduled for September 14 at Rosehill Gardens in Sydney’s Group 2 $200,000 The Run To The Rose (1200m).
Cummings is likely to give the youngster a Guineas tune-up back at Rosehill a fortnight after that on September 28 in the Group 1 $1 million Golden Rose Stakes (1400m).
Prince Fawaz, who was last seen winning the Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) over the Eagle Farm mile in Brisbane on June 8, is at $15 in early Golden Rose odds.
