By Neil Evans
A talented three-year-old who is yet to fulfil his true promise can take a vital step up at Monday’s feature Dubbo meeting.
Pharoahzano, a capable albeit inconsistent son of American Pharoah in the Cameron Crockett stable at Scone, has still only won twice from 13 starts.
Racing returns to Dubbo on Monday.Credit: Phil Carrick
Yet ever since the switch from Victoria to the NSW Upper Hunter last November, he’s promised far more than he’s delivered.
That’s despite convincingly beating a very handy Benchmark 58 field at Tamworth a month ago.
But three weeks later in a tougher Class 3 on a very shifty Muswellbrook surface, he disappointed when having no luck at vital stages from well back and was beaten over five lengths.
A slow release didn’t help Pharoahzano before stewards reported the gelding over-raced for much of the trip, and was badly held up early in the straight.
The winner of that race, though, Fingers Hunter then took on Group 3 opposition in Saturday’s Championship Day 1 meeting at Randwick, finishing well down the track behind Evaporate in the Carbine Club over a mile.
But on a positive 10-day turnaround, Pharoahzano – $6.50 in early betting – again lines up at Class 3 level over 1400m in a race with a little less depth, but still many chances.
Fellow Scone three-year-old Ritzsun steps up 400m in distance for the Scott Singleton yard after two ordinary runs back; while Mudgee-based Sanzeno is also expected to command market support fourth-up for the Mack Griffith stable.
Queanbeyan-based Midnight Affair is another contender, drawn the inside deep into his prep; while further out in the market, exciting four-year-old Egyptologist resumes off two trials for the Brett Thompson stable at Gulgong.
The meeting expected to be run on a Good 4 surface starts a big week for the Dubbo club.
Next Saturday’s feature meeting is headlined by the Queen Of The West – a BM 82 showdown over 1200m for the fillies and mares.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
Returning J-Mac set to make late medal charge
Craig Kerry
Tyler Schiller and Jason Collett led the Nathan Berry Medal count on five points after day one of the Championships at Randwick but they face a strong challenge from James McDonald next Saturday.
Collett’s points come from his Doncaster Mile win on Stefi Magnetica and second on State Visit in the Sires Produce Stakes. Schiller won the TJ Smith Stakes on Briasa and was second with Firm Agreement in the Australian Derby.
Tim Clark, who rides Sydney Cup favourite Alalcance next Saturday, was next best on four from seconds on Lisztomania in the Country Championships Final and Royal Patronage in the Doncaster.
McDonald was at Meydan, where he rode Romantic Warrior to second in the Dubai Turf, but he looks set to pilot great chances, like Via Sistina (Queen Elizabeth Stakes), Fangirl (Queen Of The Turf) and Autumn Glow (Arrowfield Sprint), on the second and final day of the medal race at Randwick. Points are available in seven of the 10 races next Saturday.
Waller to have at least one Oaks runner
Craig Kerry
Master trainer Chris Waller will have at least one challenger to Victorian star Treasurethe Moment in the group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) next Saturday.
Waller won the Australian Derby with filly Aeliana and the group 3 Adrian Knox Stakes with Belle Detelle on Saturday at Randwick, however he said both were unlikely to back up in the $1 million Oaks at the track on day two of the Championships.
Waller, though, has recent addition Leica Lucy ready to contest the race. Trained by Robbie Patterson, Leica Lucy won six from seven starts in New Zealand, including the group 1 Oaks at her most recent start on March 22, before coming to Waller in Sydney.
Leica Lucy was an $8 Sportsbet chance for the Australian Oaks, where Treasurethe Moment was the $1.70 favourite.
