By Craig Kerry
Co-trainer Rob Archibald expects sons of Lope De Vega – Don Diego De Vega and Vega Magnifico – to fire when they clash at Randwick on Saturday.
The stablemates headed the Sportsbet market for the seven-horse 1600m benchmark 88 handicap, the fifth race on the program.
Vega Magnifico, in the red and blue colours, comes down the outside to win at Randwick on January 4.Credit: Getty Images
Don Diego De Vega, which placed in listed company in France before coming to Australia, had a win and a second in Sydney Saturday benchmark 78 grade last preparation when on debut for the stable.
With two wins and a second when first up, the five-year-old is a $2.45 favourite for Saturday’s race after powering home to take out his most recent trial over 1200m.
Vega Magnifico stormed down the outside from last to win first up over 1500m at benchmark 78 level at Randwick on January 4 and has been successful second up. The six-year-old was a $3.70 second elect for Saturday’s tougher test.
“Don Diego showed plenty last preparation, and he looks to have come back well in his trials,” said Archibald, who trains with partner Annabel Neasham.
“Vega I thought was excellent first up. Ridden a bit quieter and on a good surface, he showed a good turn of foot late. Hopefully, he’s taken some nice improvement from that, and we see a similar sort of run.”
Claim The Crown gives the stable another chance on the day, in the fourth, a 2000m benchmark 88 handicap. He was second to the smart Saltcoats in his most recent run, at the same trip and grade, and is a $6 hope with Englishman Harry Davies to ride again.
“He is finding some consistency, which is good,” Archibald said. “He obviously went down narrowly. He’s got a good draw, Harry knows him well, so hopefully it just falls his way on Saturday.”
The Neasham-Archibald team was on a high last Friday night with Bosustow winning the $3 million Magic Millions Guineas and West Of Africa taking out the $2 million Magic Millions Cup.
“They are both horses with loads of ability, and it was nice to get winners on a big night like that,” Archibald said.
“They will have a bit of a freshen, but we’re still undecided what’s next.
“West Of Africa has probably got a few options, but Bosustow, we’re trying to probably showcase him as a potential colt so we’ll look at certain races. But they will keep going.”
A colt Coolmore the Chris Waller stable hopes to put up in lights on Saturday is United States.
A $1.75 million buy, the son of Snitzel and Warranty, is set to make his debut in the two-year-old race and is a $3.40 favourite.
Waller assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth said United States was 50-50 to run on Saturday off just one quiet trial, before getting a soft draw in two at Randwick.
The Coolmore-Waller combination last week gave Wodeton his first start, and he blitzed his rivals to surge into Golden Slipper favouritism.
