Press Statement is set to start the 2016 Royal Randwick Guineas as a clear favourite after he returned to the races with a comfortable victory in the Hobartville Stakes at Rosehill Gardens this afternoon.
Press Statement was far too good for his rivals in the 2016 Hobartville Stakes at Rosehill Gardens this afternoon. Photo by: Steve Hart
Press Statement was settled just behind the leaders by jockey Hugh Bowman in the early stages of the Hobartville Stakes and he was far too strong for his rivals when he was asked for an extra effort.
Trainer Chris Waller was relieved to see Press Statement make a winning return to the races in the Hobartville Stakes and he confirmed that the son of Hinchinbrook will return to the highest level of racing for the Group 1 Royal Randwick Guineas (1600m) in a fortnight.
“As we said last week with Winx, it is not as easy as it might sound,” Waller said.
“I’ll have a bet on horses that I think look a good thing and it looks so easy, but when you are training them everything else comes into the equitation.
“You take a lot of responsibility on yourself and it does get you a little bit worked up, but class always helps the trainer.
“He showed from barrier eight today that he can put himself in a race, he settles so well mid stages and he has a devastating finish.
“He has a very fluid action and he has come back a little bit stronger.
“He has strengthened up physically and he has come back better.
“The Randwick Guineas is the logical target and it has been firmly in our sights.
“We thought that today would be an ideal stepping stone and he doesn’t need two runs to get to a mile.”
Bowman gave Press Statement the perfect run in transit, but he was quick to pay credit to the horse as well as the training performance of Waller.
The leading hoop was thrilled with the performance of Press Statement, but he believes he will produce an even better performance in the Royal Randwick Guineas and could be the star of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.
“I was blown away to be honest,” Bowman said.
“I came and galloped him early in the week and I felt like he was going to need the day out, but when I cantered him to the barriers he stuck a little pigroot on me and I knew he was ready to go.
“Chris assured me three weeks ago that he is a valuable colt and he would be forward enough to win and he certainly did that.
“I would say that there is improvement in him and he is an exciting prospect.
“He is a Caulfield Guineas winner already, but I think he could go to another level.”
Le Romain produced an excellent performance to finish second in his maiden start at Group 2 level, while Montaigne found the line strongly to finish third.
