By Adrian Sciglitano
The Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1200m) at Warwick Farm on Wednesday is somewhat of an autumn audition for talented three-year old Sakima when she makes her race day return.
Sakima will return to the races after contesting three Stakes races last preparation and trainer Peter Snowden says he will use Wednesday’s race as a guide to where he places her during the autumn.
Trainer Peter Snowden.Credit: Getty
“I just want to get through Wednesday and see where she sits,” Snowden said.
“There are a few nice fillies races coming up over the next few months, so we will see how she goes to see what we aim for.”
Having not worn winkers in both of her barrier trials this preparation, Sakima will sport them for the first time when she steps out on Wednesday and Snowden has always thought she would appreciate them.
“I think she has always wanted them [winkers], I thought it would be a good time to try them on Wednesday,” Snowden said.
Sakima ($3.70 with TAB), will jump from barrier two in a field of eight with Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle and Snowden suggests she will be ridden to her normal race pattern.
“She’ll be wherever she is comfortable, whether that be midfield or a bit worse it just depends how fast they go but we won’t change her pattern as we know she is very good late when ridden quiet.”
Having been tested at 1400m at the end of her preparation in the Listed Jim Maloney, Snowden is hopeful his filly can stretch out this preparation but will let her tell him where he goes with her.
“There are plenty of 1400m and mile [1600m] races for her, so we will try her [over those trips] and get a bit of a feel for her when we see her first run back and second run back as to where we go with her,” Snowden added.
Price is right despite tricky Millennium draw
Victorian filly Price Tag was favourite for the $2 million Inglis Millennium ahead of Rivellino and Within The Law despite all three drawing tricky barriers for the race for two-year-olds at Randwick on Saturday.
Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Price Tag, yet to win in three starts – all in stakes grade – was the $4.50 top elect with Sportsbet after the field was finalised on Tuesday.
The Zoustar-Humma Humma filly, a $600,000 yearling, drew 11, which would be nine of 16 with all emergencies out.
Kris Lees-trained colt Rivellino, a winner on debut at Randwick, and Bjorn Baker’s Within The Law were $6 despite drawing 16 and 18 of 20 respectively. Within The Law won the Inglis Banner and Nursery at her two starts.
Craig Kerry
Panya aims to ride again after horror fall
Beany Panya says she will probably ride again despite the shocking fall which left her with two fractured vertebrae and a brain bleed.
Panya, who fell along with Blake Spriggs at Moruya on January 17, returned to her Sydney home on Friday night after a short stay in Campbelltown Private Hospital. She had two metal rods and four screws inserted in spinal surgery when at Canberra Hospital.
Panya said she has seen footage of the fall but does not remember it.
“I was very lucky, especially seeing how Blake ended up,” Panya said.
Spriggs remains in Canberra Hospital recovering from multiple fractures and internal injuries.
Panya faces at least six months of recovery.
“I think I will, if everything lines up,” she said of riding again.
“I can’t imagine saying no.”
Craig Kerry
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
