Victorian raiders set for display of Showmanship at Randwick
Once touted as an Everest contender before being struck down by soundness issues, Showmanship will be looking to prove that he still packs a punch when he returns to Sydney for the first time in almost two years.
The eight-year-old, who will line up in Saturday’s Listed Winter Stakes (1400m) at Randwick, has twice had his career interrupted for lengthy periods.
Considered one of the rising stars of the sprinting ranks after winning seven of his first eight starts, he was in discussions for the 2020 Everest before a tendon issue sidelined him for 18 months.
He returned for three runs, including a slashing Group 3 victory at his only Sydney visit two years later, then spent another 15 months out of action.
Owner Bob Peters eventually sent Showmanship to John Leek Jnr, who has a knack for managing horses with wear and tear issues.
The gelding made a great start for his new stable when motoring home from last to finish a half-length fourth in the Doveton Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield in December, and again wasn’t beaten far when resuming with a midfield effort in the Wangoom Handicap in May.
Leek says nothing went right for Showmanship at Sandown last start, but on a heavy track at Randwick he is anticipating a much-improved performance.
“He’s a beautiful horse,” Leek said.
“He’s got a lot of ability but as you can see, he obviously hasn’t raced much so we’ve just got to plan his runs and get him onto a wet track.
“There have been no ratings races to suit him, but we’ve found one on Saturday. He’s in well and I’m looking forward to it.
“It’s been the plan for a while.”
Showmanship will be joined in Sydney by stablemate Fengarada, who will contest the Task Handicap (2000m).
Both horses are looking for rain-affected ground and Leek will be making the long road trip with them to find it.
“The furthest we normally go is to Warrnambool, but these horses are screaming out for a wet track,” he said.
“Showmanship is an older horse, he’s got niggling issues so we’ve got to try to get him onto a soft track to try to keep him in good order.
“Fengarada, I love him too. He’s a mudlark so we’re really looking forward to watching him go around.”
Fengarada won four of his first five starts for the stable and Leek has been encouraged by his two runs back from a spell.
He expects him to strip much fitter third-up and the gelding has won six of his seven appearances on heavy ground.
Leek will be bidding to continue to heady run of Victorian trainers in Sydney with Matt Laurie, Scott Cameron and the Price-Kent stable all producing winners at Rosehill last weekend.
More Racing News
Vein Girl impresses in rich Magic Millions The Debut win
Vein Girl has put herself in contention for next month’s $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic with a strong win on debut under lights at the Gold Coast’s first night meeting. The Chris and Corey Munce-trained Vein Girl was sent out the $3.50 favourite with betting sites in Friday night’s $250,000...
Pallaton races into 2025 Golden Slipper contention
Pallaton has stamped himself as a two-year-old colt to watch heading into 2025 with an impressive debut win at Randwick. Trained by Michael Freedman and ridden by Tommy Berry, Pallaton raced to a 2-3/4-length victory in Saturday’s Shinzo @ Coolmore Plate (1000m) and firmed to be among the early favourites in Golden Slipper...
Arriving Home set to target the Magic Millions Guineas 2025
Trainer Bjorn Baker would love to get lightly raced filly Arriving Home into the Magic Millions Guineas next month after the three-year-old remained unbeaten with a tough win at Randwick. Stepping up from a midweek city maiden win at Warwick Farm on debut earlier this month into Saturday’s Petaluma Handicap (1300m) – a...
Here To Shock gives Lindsay Park quinella in The Supernova
Ben, Will & Jd Hayes had the numbers two and three seed to knock off race-favourite Nadal in Saturday’s $1 million The Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham and did just that, with Here To Shock, ridden by Daniel Stackhouse, edging stablemate Arkansaw Kid in a thrilling stable quinella. Here To Shock ($4.60) trailed a strong...
Goldman digs deep in the Pakenham Cup 2024
One time Melbourne Cup favourite, Goldman has notched up his fourth win in Australia, leading throughout to take the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) under Beau Mertens. Jumping an $8.50 chance, Goldman’s staying prowess was on show as he kicked back to deny Grand Pierro ($19) by a long head, with $3.30 betting site...
The Kings horse Gilded Water wins at Randwick
Imported stayer Gilded Water has made it back-to-back victories in Australia and has given his owner, His Majesty King Charles III, a winner at Royal Randwick. The King’s racing manager John Warren was on track at Randwick on Saturday as the Ciaron Maher-trained Gilded Water raced to a convincing victory in the...
Kevin Daffy happy to wait with Oh Too Good ahead of VOBIS Gold Bullion
Trainer Kevin Daffy says there is still plenty of time to chase the big league with his lightly-raced mare Oh Too Good. A winner of four of her seven starts with three runner-up finishes as well, Oh Too Hard runs in the VOBIS Gold Bullion (1400m) at Pakenham on Saturday. Daffy was sounded...
Bedggood chases rich The Supernova prize
Two rising nine-year-olds, both resuming, will give Gavin Bedggood a potential shot at his biggest payday as a trainer. A former jockey, Bedggood has been plying his trade as a trainer since 2017 and during the recent Melbourne Spring Carnival prepared Mornington Glory to land his first Group 1 success. Just Folk and Windstorm, both...
Collett hoping for Dream Brisbane raid in BJ McLachlan Stakes and Magic Millions Falvelon
A pair of promising two-year-olds from the Ciaron Maher stable have lured top Sydney hoop Jason Collett to Queensland for back-to-back meetings this weekend. Collett is heading north to partner filly Life After Love in the $250,000 Magic Millions The Debut (1000m) at the Gold Coast on Friday night and her Maher-trained stablemate...
Theodore aims to keep strike-rate going in Christmas Cup at Murray Bridge
Trainer Stephen Theodore is looking to Divine Fire keeping his impressive strike-rate going when she shoots for a winning hat-trick on Saturday. After victories at Morphettville and Gawler, Divine Fire runs in the Christmas Cup (1600m) at Murray Bridge with Jacob Opperman in the saddle. Since returning to training ranks at the start of...