Four weeks in between runs has Press Statement freshened up nicely for the Group 1 $600,000 Schweppes All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Hugh Bowman and Press Statement will be re-united in the All Aged Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
Press Statement hasn’t raced since finishing third behind stablemates Winx and Kermadec in the Group 1 $1m China Horse Club George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on March 19 but trainer Chris Waller said that the three year old will go into Saturday’s race in top condition.
“He has freshened up nicely, four weeks in between runs,” Waller said.
“He is going terrific, looks well.”
“Hugh Bowman aboard, the man of the moment. Barrier six in a field of eight.”
Bowman was aboard Press Statement for his first two Autumn Carnival runs but rode Winx in the George Ryder Stakes and hops back on the Hinchinbrook colt in the All Aged Stakes replacing James McDonald.
Bowman and Press Statement combined to score a first up win in the Group 2 $400,000 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on February 20 followed by an unlucky second to Le Romain in the Group 1 $1m Girvan Waugh Randwick Guineas (1600m) at Randwick on March 5.
This year’s Group 1 leading jockey is riding in outstanding form and came away from day two of ‘The Championships’ at Randwick last Saturday with four winners, including a victory in the Group 1 $1m James Boag’s Premium Australian Oaks (2400m) on Kiwi filly Sofia Rosa.
His other winners were Japonisme for Waller in the Group 2 $500,000 Arrowfield 3yo Sprint (1200m), Missrock in the Group 3 $500,000 IG Markets Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m) and Prized Icon in the Listed $150,000 TFE Hotels Fernhill Handicap (1600m).
Even though Press Statement hasn’t raced for a month, Waller has no worries about him handling the 1400m and the prospect of another rain affected Randwick track shouldn’t cause any problems with his record reading three wins and a second from four attempts on the a soft track.
“1400m won’t be a problem. Soft track form, I think three wins. Probably not his best track, but he can get through it,” Waller said.
The Randwick track was rated a soft 5 on Thursday morning with the Bureau Of Meteorology forecasting some showers today ahead of mainly fine weather in the lead up to the weekend.
Waller said that the form surrounding his glamour mare Winx would be the best form line going into the weight for age All Aged Stakes and the bookies at Ladbrokes.com.au agree and have Press Statement at the top of the market order at $3.50.
“The Winx form is just red hot, simple as that,” Waller said.
Waller will also saddle up Kermadec in the All Aged Stakes and has reported that the four year old has recovered from back soreness that was detected after he ran last of fifteen behind Winx in the Group 1 $3m The Star Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on April 2.
“He pulled up a touch distressed. Everything was fine when he pulled up, a touch sore over his back, which he has since been passed and he had physiotherapy to help that,” Waller said.
Kermadec is also well in the betting at $6.50.
All Aged Stakes market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3.50 Press Statement, $4.20 Malaguerra, $4.60 English, $6 Black Heart Bart, $6.50 Kermadec, $14 Goldstream, $21 Rebel Dane, $31 Perignon.
