By Neil Evans
The quality of European and UK sirelines can grab more headlines at Wednesday’s feature Kembla meeting with runners young and old.
And one horse might just emerge as a genuine carnival stayer during the Queensland winter if he fires second-up in a useful quality Benchmark 68 handicap over 2000m.
Trainer Annabel Neasham.Credit: Getty
Lightly raced five-year-old Funambulist, trained by Annabel Neasham at Warwick Farm, lines up for his 12th career run – but only his second in 10 months Down Under.
Having won twice in the middle of last year, including a dominant BM 64 win at Gosford, Funambulist resumed 18 days ago in a similar graded race at Newcastle over a mile where he made plenty of late ground from last to be beaten only three lengths.
Stepping up a further 400m at Kembla, and carrying 2kg less after Jett Stanley’s claim, nothing will be finishing better late.
Funambulist is a gelded son of Irish-bred New Bay who won a Group 1 in France over 2100m at only his second start, then a Group 2 at Chantilly before heading to stud.
And there’s plenty of his father’s staying grit in Funambulist who has only been out of the placings twice in 11 starts since debuting in France nearly 11 years ago.
Meanwhile, there won’t be a better bred juvenile anywhere in Australia than King Colorado when he tackles a 2YO Maiden Plate over 1200m on debut for the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace yard.
Starting his career behind three progressive Warwick Farm trials – winning the latest in smart fashion – King Colorado was bred and part-owned by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, and is by outstanding UK galloper Kingman, out of a US-bred More Than Ready mare.
Back in early 2014, Kingman won a Group 3 on debut by nearly five lengths before bolting in the Group 1 St James’ Palace at Royal Ascot three months later.
He too went to stud swiftly, and has been a strong producer.
King Colorado will be ridden by Louise Day from the inside draw, but will get a stern opening test against a few promising youngsters, including rival first starter Rhythm Of Love from the John O’Shea yard, and The King third-up for Team Snowden.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
