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Group 3 winner Saif to miss juvenile Group 1

Saturday’s Fernhill Stakes (Listed, 1600m) winner Converge (Frankel) could now head to the Champagne Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) at Randwick on Saturday. 

With Sires Produce Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) winner Anamoe (Street Boss) confirmed to miss the Group 1 co-trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have said they are considering running the son of Frankel (Galileo) in the Sydney Group 1. 

However, they have also not ruled out a trip north, with the BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m) and the JJ Atkins Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) also under consideration for the gelding. 

"The breeding suggested he would get over further but physically, we weren't entirely sure until seeing him because he's a pretty neat sort of horse, not overly big, a pretty a stocky type," Bott said. 

"He doesn't look like your typical staying type. 

"It was good to see him run it out strongly (on Saturday) because that gives us a few more options. 

"Whether we back him up next week in the Champagne or whether we go up through a Brisbane Sires and J J Atkins path, we'll see." 

Should Converge head to the Champagne Stakes he will not clash with Saif (Pride Of Dubai), who beat him into second in the Schweppervescence Handicap (Gr 3, 1400m) on April 3, with the Team Hawkes confirming on Sunday the colt would not contest the 1600 metre race.