Tulloch Lodge Vampires adds bite to G1 Randwick Guineas
Adrian Bott isn’t sure if his two Randwick Guineas runners are sharp enough to upset the favourites, but he does believe both can make their mark this autumn.
Bott and training partner Gai Waterhouse will start Les Vampires and Ganbare, both horses arriving at Saturday’s 1600 metre race via the Hobartville Stakes (1400m), the race that has produced 14 of the past 18 Randwick Guineas winner.
Having just his fifth start and second in black-type grade, Les Vampires made the running and fought on strongly to finish third to Celestial Legend in the Hobartville, the winner again among his rivals on Saturday.
Bott took positives from that performance and expects the son of Pierro to be better again over the longer Guineas journey.
“He was great the other day and he should keep improving,” Bott said.
“He got into a nice rhythm over the 1400 and I think he should appreciate the mile.
“It was a good step that he was able to prove himself in that company.
“We haven’t seen the best from him yet.”
Bott says Les Vampires is likely to continue to rise in trip pending his performance at Randwick, as is stablemate Ganbare.
A Listed winner, Ganbare was outsprinted in the Hobartville and Bott expected a distance rise to suit him, although he said the Rosehill Guineas (2000m) would be a better fit again.
“Over 1400, they’re a bit sharp for him so he will improve at the mile and he will improve again off the back of Saturday,” Bott said.
“The Rosehill Guineas and the Derby, they’re going to be the two main races for him.”
Multiple Group 1 winner Militarize is a clear-cut $2.30 favourite for the Randwick Guineas, ahead of untapped colt Celestial Legend ($4.20).
Les Vampires and Ganbare are priced at $13 and $19 respectively and while expecting competitive showings, Bott concedes they face a tough ask to down the leading fancies.
“It’s going to be hard, they’re two very nice horses,” he said.
Waterhouse and Bott won the Randwick Guineas two years ago with Converge, who claimed the scalp of subsequent star weight-for-age galloper Anamoe.
More Racing News
Fresh Ron’s Finalflutter can win Bunbury Classic 2025 says Morton
Ron’s Finalflutter kicks off her potential WA Oaks campaign this Sunday at Bunbury, and trainer Dan Morton believes she has what it takes to deliver a strong performance fresh in the Listed Greenfields Lodge WA Breeders’ Classic (1200m). “I wouldn’t rule her out,” Morton said on Tabradio. “She’s got a lot...
Paula Trenwith chases birthday gift at the Parks
Morphettville based Paula Trenwith could not think of a better present than that of winning a race on her birthday. Trenwith prepares a team of eight horses at Morphettville and has three runners at the Morphettville Parks meeting on Saturday, her birthday. Savatoff runs in the Happy 80th Birthday Glynn Pretty Handicap (1950m),...
Oh baby: Newcastle mare out to finish on a career-high
If the upcoming Rosehill meeting were scheduled just one day later, in-form mare So Newchee Thinks would be ineligible to race. The daughter of So You Think is currently in foal to Starspangledbanner, and according to racing rules, her official cut-off date for competing is February 1, which coincides with...
Price looking for Gold lining in the Southern Cross Stakes
Luke Price is the first to admit that Our Gold Hope will need both pace and luck to make an impact first-up in a black-type sprint, but he is equally confident she is in strong enough form to defy her outsider status. Priced at $61, the mare is set to start...
Filly out to stamp G1 Blue Diamond Stakes credentials
Trainer Dominic Sutton is prioritizing the well-being of his horse over personal ambition as Victoria’s richest two-year-old race approaches. Sutton has Sword Of Legacy among the 81 youngsters still in contention for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 22. However, Sutton, who manages dual yards at...
Important outing for Hearcomesthestar in the Bellmaine Stakes
Hearcomesthestar will be racing for more than just prize money when she steps out in a Stakes race at Sandown this Saturday. While finishing in the top three of the Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) would be a bonus for connections, securing ‘Black Type’ is the primary goal. Trainer John...
Grahame Begg mares to clash in Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes
Grahame Begg finds himself in a difficult position as he prepares to run two of his mares in a Stakes race at Sandown, a situation he acknowledges is not ideal. Both Miraval Rose and So Glamorous are set to compete in the Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) on Saturday. The...
Widden-born Flex chases G3 Widden Stakes win
Widden Stud may not have a runner carrying its famous silks in this weekend’s Rosehill race named in its honor, but the stud’s influence will still be felt in the $250,000 Group 3 Widden Stakes. Leading contender The Playwright is sired by Widden stallion Written By, while another runner, Mac Daddy...
Gear change for Blitzburg in G3 Canonbury Stakes
Trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou are hoping the addition of winkers will help Snitzel colt Blitzburg bounce back to winning form after an unsuccessful Magic Millions campaign. Originally named as the second emergency for the $3 million Magic Millions Classic, Blitzburg’s connections ultimately had to withdraw him due to a...
Ceolwulf leads home big guns in trial
Ceolwulf has sharpened up for his upcoming return in the Apollo Stakes with an impressive barrier trial victory at Warwick Farm, signaling a promising autumn campaign ahead. The dual Group 1 winner dictated the tempo in Thursday’s 1000m heat, cruising to the line unchallenged to defeat Via Sistina, a likely rival...
