Golden Slipper runner up English will race without the blinkers when she resumes in the Group 2 $175,000 Coolmore Furious Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.
English kicks off her Spring Carnival in the Furious Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
The Gai Waterhouse trained English was listed in the gear changes for Saturday as wearing the blinkers for the first time but the leading Randwick trainer told stewards that was not her intentions.
Waterhouse explained to Racing New South Wales stewards that a communication error had seen English listed with the head gear and after speaking with race jockey Blake Shinn, it was decided that the filly would be better suited without them.
Stewards released the following statement highlighting the fact that Waterrhouse would have to face a fine.
“Stewards have considered an application from the Gai Waterhouse stable that English, which was notified to carry blinkers first time, not to wear blinkers in the Coolmore Furious Stakes.
“The application was based on a miscommunication between Mrs Gai Waterhouse and Blake Shinn after the filly trialled at Randwick on the 21st August 2015.
“When interviewed today, Blake Shinn advised that he had not recommended blinkers be added as English had raced fiercely in the trial and particularly, being first up in the Coolmore Furious Stakes, he felt the addition of that gear would be detrimental to the filly’s chances as he may well not be able to restrain it wearing that gear.
“Mrs Waterhouse was advised that the late change will be subject to a penalty.”
English will be having her first run back since running second to stablemate Vancouver in the Group 1 $3.5m Tooheys New Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill during the Sydney Autumn Carnival.
The Encosta De Lago filly has had two Randwick barrier trials in preparation for her return to the racetrack for a third over 840m on July 31 followed by a fourth over 836m on August 21.
While Waterhouse is happy with the preparation of English for her Spring Carnival pipe opener, the leading lady of the turf has a leaning towards her other filly in the race, last start winner Speak Fondly.
“She’s (English) very forward and it will be very interesting to see how she goes,” Waterhouse said.
“I suppose her stablemate is the horse to beat. She’s made a quantum leap, I cannot fault her.
“I slightly prefer the one that is up and has had the run under her belt.”
Speak Fondly was never headed when she was a first up winner over her other stablemate Kimberley Star in the Group 2 $175,000 Coolmore Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Randwick a fortnight ago.
Kerrin McEvoy has retained the ride on Speak Fondly and he is certain to let the filly stride forward again from barrier five.
Furious Stakes market order with Ladbrokes.com.au: $2.70 Speak Fondly, $4 English, $7 Ottoman, Serene Majesty, $8.50 Perignon, $12 Lake Geneva, $15 Calaverite, $26 Look To The Stars, $31 Fireworks, $67 Capricious Spirit.
