Banner ready to strike gold at Kembla

Banner ready to strike gold at Kembla
By Adrian Sciglitano

Trainer Sterling Alexiou and jockey Josh Parr believe City Gold Banner can progress through the grades this preparation when he contests the Kembla Grange Autumn Racing Carnival Benchmark 64 (1500m) on Wednesday.

The three-year-old son of Starspangledbanner couldn’t have been more impressive on debut, coming from the tail of the field over 1400 metres at Warwick Farm, with trainer Sterling Alexiou suggesting class got him over the line on a rain affected surface he didn’t love.

Racing returns to Kembla Grange on Wednesday.Credit: Getty

“He is a big strong colt, and as a rule, just in his stature I imagine he will be a lot better on top of the ground, he probably just got away with that race the other day on class alone,” Alexiou said.

“Obviously, it is hard to go from a maiden to a Benchmark 64, albeit he is dropping back to the provincials, but he takes on some seasoned gallopers so it will be a good test for him.

“We think he is a progressive galloper, so if he can get things run to suit and build his momentum at the right time I’m sure he will be right in the finish.”

What impressed race day rider Josh Parr the most on debut was City Gold Banner’s ability to show versatility with his position in run, a contrast from what was seen in his early barrier trials when settling near the speed.

“His debut performance was really good in the sense we expected him to show barrier speed, and bowl along on the speed.

“He had to be versatile on that occasion and he did that really well, coming from the back of the field on wet ground and he was really good. I expect another forward showing from him,” Parr said.

Based on his debut win, Parr said he can ride the colt with an open book from a tricky gate and has confidence the horse is heading in the right direction in his first preparation.

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“It doesn’t really matter [where he settles] now that we know he has that versatility. He has raced forward in his trials and back in his first start, and the beauty of that is I can be guided by how the track is playing and the speed of the race to how I ride him,” Parr said.

“He is still very raw, although he is a horse that has indicated to the stable and myself that he is heading in the right direction.”

Where he ends up this preparation is still a work in progress for the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou stable, however, a crack at stakes grade is not out of the equation if City Gold Banner continues to raise the bar.

Promising trial signs for Sydney Bowler

Trainer John O’Shea was pleased with the long-awaited return of Sydney Bowler at trials on Tuesday at Randwick. The unbeaten four-year-old was having his first public outing since being stuck under the barriers and scratched as the Magic Millions Guineas favourite at the Gold Coast 12 months ago. He escaped with minor injuries, but further setbacks have delayed his comeback. Jockey Zac Lloyd got aboard Sydney Bowler after he was loaded in the outside barrier on Tuesday for trial 12 (740m) and the Deep Field gelding jumped well. Racing keenly under a tight hold, Sydney Bowler finished fourth and will trial again in two weeks. Tea Rose and Flight Stakes placegetter Snow In May also trialled well for O’Shea and co-trainer Tom Charlton, closing off strongly for third in her second hit-out this preparation.
Craig Kerry

Freedman trio impress at trials

Trainer Michael Freedman was eyeing a first-up run in the group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on February 15 for Manaal after her second strong trial there on Tuesday. Last year’s Inglis Sires’ champion cruised from last to finish second in the 900m hit-out behind Too Darn Lizzie. Freedman was also pleased with Insurrection, which led and won a second straight trial. He said the group 2 Rubiton Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on February 8 was a possible first-up run for the five-year-old. Extractor, back after a month off following his third in the Golden Gift, came from last to finish third in his trial for Freedman. He may start in the Lonhro Plate on February 8 or the Pierro Plate a week later. Stablemate Marhoona won a second trial and could debut at Canterbury on February 7 or in the Lonhro Plate.
Craig Kerry

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