By Neil Evans
While her rivals search for a chink in the armour, Warwick Farm filly Triple Tempo is set to resume as the present time’s most imposing galloper at Wednesday’s feature meeting at Wyong.
The daughter of 2019 Everest winner Yes Yes Yes returns in a Benchmark 64 Hcp over 1000m for her first run since landing her maiden at Orange last spring to cap an encouraging three-start opening campaign for the Bjorn Baker stable.
Leading Sydney trainer Bjorn Baker.Credit: Steven Siewert
That day Triple Tempo easily ran the quickest time across three 1000 metres races in winning by nearly three lengths, and it was obvious there were bigger fish to fry in 2025. But that ambition took on a whole new meaning at the recent trials.
Firstly, she zipped around Rosehill to win a 900-metre hit-out by well over six lengths before a complete speed demolition at Warwick Farm only nine days ago.
Back over 785 metres, Triple Tempo clocked 45.28 seconds in winning by nearly 11 lengths virtually untouched, running her last 600m in a very slick 32.65.
It was little wonder she opened as short as $1.80 in some markets, but with a likely Soft 7 in play, rival stables will bank on her coming back to the field.
Her maiden win, and both trials, have all come on firm ground, although she was still only beaten a neck in heavy going at Goulburn for her second start.
Triple Tempo will be able to use that natural speed from the inside draw, but if there’s any wider pattern in play late in the day, jockey Ashley Morgan may have to steer a course for the middle.
While honest four-year-old Gogmagog is searching for a third consecutive win, tough five-year-old Iron Hat, and resuming mare First Person may all have each-way claims, it’s an underrated home tracker at long odds and carrying top weight that could emerge as the real fly in the ointment.
Oakfield Badger hasn’t started since mid-December, but looked right up to the mark in winning a trial on soft ground at Newcastle’s Beaumont course only a week ago.
Already a fresh and heavy track winner, and boasting a 30 percent win record from 13 starts, Oakfield Badger opened $21 to cause an unlikely upset.
Bott backs Lady Of Camelot to step up to open mares company
The Waterhouse-Bott stable has welcomed the challenge of Lady Of Camelot taking on open mares company on Saturday at Rosehill in the group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m). Last year’s Golden Slipper winner was a $6 Sportsbet chance on Tuesday behind fellow three-year-old Lady Shenandoah and five-year-old Amelia’s Jewel (both $3.50), which was an easy first-up winner of the Guy Walter Stakes. However, Lady Shenandoah, which has beaten Lady Of Camelot both times this preparation in 3YO fillies features, looks more likely to contest the Phar Lap Stakes (1500m, 3YOs), where she was a $1.60 favourite.“She ran great the other day and came through the run well, so it looks a nice race for her,” co-trainer Adrian Bott of Lady Of Camelot’s close second in the Surround Stakes. “She’s taken on the older horses before, open company, weight-for-age, so I don’t mind her taking on the open mares.”
Craig Kerry
Baker chasing another Slipper runner with Strada Varenna
Strada Varenna was an early firmer in markets for Saturday’s Magic Night Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill as in-form Warwick Farm trainer Bjorn Baker tries to qualify a second filly for the Golden Slipper (1200m). A debut winner by two lengths at Canterbury over 1100m, Strada Varenna was into a $3.50 equal favourite with Artistic Venture with Sportsbet on Tuesday for the group 3 fillies race, which gives the victor a spot in $5 million race for two-year-olds on March 22. Baker’s Within The Law is already assured of a start after winning the Sweet Embrace Stakes. The Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained Skyhook, which was second in the Skyline Stakes, was a $4 equal favourite for the Pago Pago Stakes – the last Slipper qualifier for colts and geldings. The Hawkes stable’s West Of Swindon, which trialled on Monday and is assured of a Slipper start, was also $4 for the Pago Pago. Ryan and Alexiou’s King Of Pop won the Black Opal Stakes at Canberra on Sunday and will also make the Slipper cut.
Craig Kerry
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
