2008 Warwick Stakes – 23 August 2008

The $200,000 Group 2 Schweppes Warwick Stakes is a standard weight-for-age race for three-year-olds and upwards over 1400 metres. This year the field of eleven includes three Group 1 winners in Racing To Win, Fiumicino and Valedictum.

The early (odds on) favourite is the striking six-year-old grey gelding Racing To Win who is having the first start of his spring preparation. He hasn’t started since winning the Group 1 All Aged Stakes in May over 1400 metres, but reportedly looked good at an exhibition gallop at Rosehill recently. His main target this spring is the George Main Stakes in late September, and possibly the Hong Kong Mile. His only first-up success from four starts was his maiden win so the odds-on may be a little short for some punters. However, he has won eleven and come second in six of his 19 starts so it is hard to look elsewhere.

Second favourite at $5 is Gallant Tess, the only mare in the field. She hasn’t raced since the Doncaster where she finished well back on the heavy track. She does have an excellent record first-up though, with 3 of her 4 career wins being first-up. The 1400 metre should suit as should barrier 3.

On the third line of betting are Valedictum and Hadaaf. Hadaaf is race fit and won an 1800 metre welter at his last start on 9 August. Valedictum came a close third in the Aurie’s Star when resuming 2 weeks ago and will be ridden by champion jockey Shane Dye. Dye has ridden several placings in the Warwick Stakes but has never won.

The Warwick Stakes was first run in 1923 and in 2004 the AJC moved the event to Randwick. It wasn’t run in 2007 due to the EI Virus, so this Saturday will be the first running at its home track of Warwick Farm since 2003. Great horses have won this race including Lonhro (2001 and 2003), Sunline (1999), Filante (1996 and 1997), Shaftesbury Avenue (1992), Super Impose (1990 and 1991), Kingston Town (1980, 1981 and 1982) and Tulloch (1957). The race record is held by Filante who died this week aged 16 at Ilala Stud in the NSW Hunter Valley.

by Jo Jackson

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