Trainer Colin Scott is hopeful that Speediness can turn his consistent form into a Group 1 victory in the Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Speediness has the chance to record his first Group 1 victory in the Emirates Stakes at Flemington on Saturday. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Speediness is yet to run a bad race since beginning his 2013 Spring Racing Carnival campaign with an impressive victory in the Group 3 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) but has been unable to record his maiden victory at Group 1 level.
The Testa Rossa gelding finished fourth in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m), despite being blocked for a run in the final stages of the race, and was unlucky again in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) before finishing a narrow second behind Toydini in the Group 2 Crystal Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Day.
Scott told RSN that he has been delighted with each of Speediness’ runs this campaign and he believes that the six-year-old was able to take plenty of improvement out of his defeat in the Crystal Mile, despite being towards the end of his preparation.
“He is excellent and I am really happy with him,” Scott said.
“It is an odd thing to say this far into a preparation but I think it brought him on and he will be at his peak for the Emirates, which is his Grand Final.
“It was always part of his preparation; it is nice when you have better horses because you can actually mark out a preparation that you can work right through to.
“Obviously we have tried to have him at his best for the three Group 1’s but keeping in mind that you still have to have a horse left for a race like the Emirates.
“He has not put in a bad race this whole preparation.
“He was probably desperately unlucky not to win the Sir Rupert Clarke and it was a huge run in the Toorak.”
Speediness has had very little luck with barriers during his spring campaign and started in double figure barriers in the Bobbie Lewis Quality, Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and Toorak Handicap.
The Scone Cup winner has drawn ideally in barrier two in the 2013 Emirates Stakes field at Flemington this Saturday and Scott is confident that jockey Craig Williams will be able to put his star galloper in an ideal position during the run.
“Bad barriers have just hampered us all preparation and it took an exceptional horse to beat us at Moonee Valley,” Scott said.
“I will leave that to Craig, they do a great job Craig and Mark doing their speed maps and working out where everyone will be, but I would envision that he will be mid-field with cover and the horse goes great at Flemington.”
Chris Waller-trained Boban is favourite in 2013 Emirates Stakes betting markets, while Speediness is on the fifth line of betting at odds of $9.
