The Shinzo form has Cylinder as the Sires Produce Stakes favourite, but the Grahame Begg-trained Maharba also carries a last-start second to the Golden Slipper winner in his charge to the Randwick group 1 on Saturday.
Like Cylinder, Maharba started favourite when beaten by Shinzo in the Pago Pago Stakes, much to the disappointment of his Melbourne trainer.
Shinzo charges past Maharba in the Pago Pago Stakes.Credit:Getty
“I probably didn’t give Shinzo enough credit going into that race,” Begg said. “I thought Maharba was very well, and when he got beaten I was little shocked.
“But we have seen what Shinzo did the next week, and it makes that run look a lot better in hindsight.”
The price disparity between Cylinder and Maharba is significant. The Godolphin colt is the $2.20 favourite, while Maharba is out to a $23 chance.
The Sires has been the target for Maharba and Begg has built him to be ready to run a strong 1400m.
“He is ready to go. The gate is a little sticky for him, but Michael Dee knows him well and hopefully can get a good spot,” Begg said. “They stopped and started the other day and there looks to be a more genuine pace in this race. I know my bloke is going to be strong at the end of 1400m, and that often wins you Sires.”
Champion jockey James McDonald doesn’t have any doubt about Golden Slipper runner-up Cylinder running a strong 1400m and believes he could be better and more explosive in the Sires.
Cylinder marks the start of another wonderful book of group 1 rides for McDonald, which includes old favourite Nature Strip chasing a fourth TJ Smith and Pericles in the Australian Derby.
James McDonald looks across to the stands for the photo as Cylinder wins the Todman Stakes at Randwick.Credit:Getty
He galloped the Exceed And Excel colt at Agnes Banks on Tuesday and it got the nod of approval.
“He hasn’t gone backwards from the Slipper – he might be a bit better,” McDonald said. “I think the tempo at 1400m will suit him and you will really see his turn of foot on the weekend.
“He hit the front at the 250m mark in the Golden Slipper and just found one better than him on the day, but he was a long way in front of the rest.
“He is a very good colt and deserves a group 1 as a two-year-old.”
Cylinder has been heavily backed from $2.80 to $2.20 since drawing barrier four to be the shortest-priced favourite on the first day of The Championships.
He won the Silver Slipper and Todman Stakes in the lead-up to the Golden Slipper and gets a chance for a group 1.
“The draw is perfect for him to get the right run, and he feels like he is going to be very sharp from what he did on Tuesday morning,” McDonald said.
It could be a day for redemption for McDonald as Pericles attempts to go one better in the Derby after being nosed out by Lindermann in the Rosehill Guineas a fortnight ago.
“He felt good on Tuesday as well, and hopefully he saves his best for the track on Saturday after getting a bit hot before the Guineas,” he said.
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