By Neil Evans
A promising stallion earmarked for some big targets deep into spring makes his long-awaited return at Thursday’s feature Kembla meeting.
Omni Man, a lightly raced four-year-old son of I Am Invincible in the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott yard at Randwick, has his first run for 22 weeks in a good quality Benchmark 64 Hcp over 1000m on a track likely to slip back into soft range.
A son of super sire I Am Invincible will hit the track on Thursday.Credit:Getty
Behind two forward trials, the stable hopes to push on into Saturday grade if Omni Man starts this prep similar to his last one.
In mid-February, he bolted in his maiden at Gosford before repeating the dose in even more impressive fashion by three lengths in a BM 64 for the boys, leading from barrier to box.
He was then thrown into Saturday three-year-old listed company, dropping out a long way on a heavy nine before one more run, and then sent to the paddock.
However, Omni Man has reportedly returned a much stronger and hardened galloper, with Regan Bayliss the new rider, and punters will be delighted to see a gear change announcement of front bar plates coming off for the first time.
Meanwhile, racing’s version of “patience personified” goes on the line again in a handy Maiden Hcp over 1500m.
Ruinart, a four-year-old mare in the John O’Shea stable at Randwick, has run five placings from six starts, all as a short-priced favourite and twice heavily backed into odds-on.
The latest disappointment came first-up for six months at Newcastle when Ruinart went off as a $1.80 favourite, but was no match for Godolphin sprinter Perpignan late.
A fortnight later, the stable has seemingly found an easier race at Kembla, drawn the inside and crucially over 200m further.
Again she looms as the one to beat, but at bigger odds. City rivals Lehndorff, who had an eye-catching debut, and Cabaca, who is much better suited on a bigger track, are worthy opposition.
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