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Wandabaa and heavy tracks go together!

3 minute read

The consistent mare gets conditions to suit at Royal Randwick tomorrow as she strives to add an overdue black type victory and a 1400m triumph to her resume in the Listed Civic Stakes.

WANDABAA winning the De Bortoli Wines (Bm88).
WANDABAA winning the De Bortoli Wines (Bm88). Picture: Steve Hart

Kris Lees will have two runners in the feature sprint, with import Chief Ironside (Tim Clark) joining Wandabaa , who will be partnered by stable apprentice Louise Day.

Though apprentices cannot claim in the Civic, Day has been rewarded for her outstanding record on Wandabaa, having ridden her six times for three wins and as many seconds.

She has been aboard the four-year-old daughter of Wandjina at her last two starts at Randwick, both times chasing home the talented Adelong in the At Sea Handicap (1100m) on May 29 and again in the Listed Bob Charley AO Stakes (1100m) on June 12.

"Wandabaa excels on heavy ground," stable spokesman Lucas Miller said this morning.

"She continues to race well and her work on Tuesday morning indicated she is holding that form.

"From a sticky gate (the outside in a field of 10), Louise is going to have to find cover on her as she is going up to 1400m.

"If she can do that, I'm sure Wandabaa is going to be very competitive again and she certainly deserves a black type breakthrough."

Wandabaa has raced only twice at 1400m, and it's worth nothing she ran third in the Group 3 Tibbie Stakes at that distance on her home track last September after being 13th at the 800m.

She later ran fourth to subsequent Group 1 winner Savatiano in the Group 2 Hot Danish Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens in November.

Chief Ironside  resumes, having not started since finishing down the course in Sweet Deal's $1m The Hunter (1300m) at Newcastle last November.

The six-year-old has had two recent trials to prepare him for his resumption, and the stable is happy with his progress.

"Chief Ironside will appreciate the ground, and has done a lot of work leading up to this race," Miller said.

"There's no doubt he will take improvement from tomorrow's outing, but it wouldn't surprise to see him run a nice race fresh even though he hasn't won first-up previously."

Along with Wandabaa and Chief Ironside, Lees also will have dual representation in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m).

Blinkers come off Snowzone (Jay Ford), whilst Triple Ace (Sam Clipperton) resumes as a gelding.

"Snowzone ran well first-up, and can definitely improve on his latest run at Rosehill when he went too keenly within himself," Miller said.

"Kris has decided to take the blinkers off, and we are expecting a much better showing tomorrow.

"Triple Ace is a really nice horse (four wins and three placings from seven starts), and is going well in preparation for his first run back.

"They may be a bit sharp for him tomorrow on testing ground, but he is not to be dismissed all the same."

. First starter Loch Eagle is an absentee from Newcastle tomorrow, where the stable will still have three runners.

Noble Flame kicks off her career in the 2YO Maiden Plate (900m), Predictable Miss contests the Conditional Benchmark 68 Handicap (1600m), and former New Zealander Matterhorn will be attempting to make it two wins straight in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1200m).

Andrew Gibbons rides both Noble Flame and Predictable Miss, and Aaron Bullock partners Matterhorn.

"Noble Flame is a Dissident filly who is sharp and should jump and run and give a good account of herself on debut," Miller said.

"Predictable Miss has been a bit up and down this preparation, and we're hoping the track stays in the soft range for her.

"She has an each-way chance from a soft draw.

"Mattherhorn was really good winning here three weeks ago at his first Australian start, and has trained on strongly.

"We'll get a better idea of his chances after Imposing Beau (just beaten by Matterhorn at Newcastle) runs in the opening event at Randwick tomorrow.

"Matterhorn goes up 2kg to 61kg, but is well drawn and looks to have a class edge. He should be hard to beat."


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