Trainer Peter Moody is likely to give the go ahead for Dissident to go around in the Group 2 $175,000 Pro-Ride Warwick Stakes (1400m) on Saturday on a rain soaked Randwick track even though he is not at his best in the wet.
Dissident set to kick off Spring Carnival campaign in Warwick Stakes. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
Randwick was still rated a heavy 8 on Friday morning with more showers forecast for the weekend but Moody is keen to get Dissident’s Spring Carnival campaign up and rolling.
“Dissident doesn’t like it wet but probably has to kick off his campaign,’’ Moody told The Daily Telegraph.
The Sebring stallion did score a narrow win on a slow track when he beat Atlante in the Group 2 $200,000 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on March 1 but was well beaten on a heavy 9 when twelfth to Sacred Falls in the Group 1 $3m The Star Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on April 12.
In between those two Autumn Carnival features Dissident scored his maiden Group 1 win beating Kiwi three year old El Roca in the Group 1 $600,000 Royal Randwick Guineas (1600m) at Randwick on March 15 on a good track.
Moody is confident that Dissident will develop into a good weight for age performer and has set his sights on the Group 1 $3m Sportingbet Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 25.
“We thought it’s a good time to give him his chance at a race like the Cox Plate, but only time will tell if it’s the right call,” Moody said.
“The one thing with him is that he’s improved every preparation and if that trend continues he could prove up to the top level.”
“Dissident has always been a good sort of a horse with a dominant build about him.’’
“He has gone on a bit since his three-year-old season but he’s always been a well-developed horse.’’
Dissident has been marked as a $12 chance in the Warwick Stakes with Ladbrokes.com.au with the Team Hawkes trained Messene heading the market order at $4.40.
Noted wet track specialists Sacred Falls ($5), Weary ($5) and Royal Descent ($5.50) are next in the betting with the Joe Pride trained Tiger Tees, also regarded as an excellent wet tracker, is well in contention at $7.50.
Chris Waller’s trio of Sacred Falls, Royal Descent and Weary are also having their first run back after finishing first, second and third on a heavy track in the Doncaster Mile.
