Chris Waller’s hopes of an early success in Sydney’s key three-year-old races may rest with Central Europe, as his two other runners in The Rosebud are facing doubts about starting.
Hidrix, assigned the topweight, is likely to be saved for the San Domenico Stakes (1100m) in two weeks after drawing barrier 17. Meanwhile, the filly Striking Alibi, from Perth, could be aimed at the Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) next week after drawing gate 12.
“We were probably only going to run (Hidrix) if he drew perfectly, just because of the weight,” stated Charlie Duckworth, Waller’s assistant trainer.
“Striking Alibi has been really sharp in all of her work since coming to us. She has been pretty pushbutton in terms of she has settled in well and done everything right.
“Just the draw might mean she could wait and go against the fillies next week instead.”
There are no such reservations about kicking off Central Europe’s three-year-old campaign, with the colt drawing barrier seven.
The Frankel colt has shown above-average ability in his two starts, both in Group company, including a narrow defeat to stablemate Campione D’Italia, the subsequent ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes winner, in the Skyline Stakes (1200m) in February.
Although he is expected to prefer distances longer than the 1100m of The Rosebud, the stable has been encouraged by the confidence of champion jockey James McDonald, who convinced them to opt for the Listed sprint over a support race on the program.
“We had him nominated in the 1300 as well but James was confident off his trials and trackwork that 1100 was fine. He’s been sharper than he was last time in, so that’s a positive,” Duckworth said.
“He’s a beautiful colt, incredibly well bred. We’ll learn a bit more on Saturday.”
Assuming he performs well in his initial races, Central Europe is on a path towards the Golden Rose and is currently sharing fourth favouritism at $11.
Four horses – Tornado Valley, Outspan, Oh Yes She Did, and Scintillation – have been scratched from The Rosebud and are expected to race in stakes races at Caulfield.
Central Europe’s path to the Golden Rose looks promising if he can perform in The Rosebud, with current odds of $11. You can find the best Australian betting sites for this race.
