Randwick is preparing for the arrival of the second wave of two-year-olds for the Kirkham Plate, with Royal Accord now emerging as the early favourite over Jenni In Rome, setting the stage for an intriguing contest.
Following the initial races for the season’s youngest horses, the Breeders’ Plate (1000m) and Gimcrack Stakes (1000m), held three weeks ago, only Gary Kirkup’s Chasing Archer is scheduled to participate again on Saturday.
Currently listed at $61 after fading to fifth behind Flying Houdini in the Breeders’ Plate, Chasing Archer has seen punters shift their focus to Royal Accord, prepared by Hawkes Racing, and Jenni In Rome, trained by Richard and Will Freedman.
Jenni In Rome had seen her odds drift to $4.80 on Thursday, having commenced at $3.60 with betting sites, while Royal Accord experienced a significant market correction, shortening from $4.60 to $2.80.
Jason Collett is set to ride Jenni In Rome, having guided her to a convincing trial victory at Warwick Farm in September, followed by a quiet run in a Rosehill heat on Monday, with the intention of having her ready for this engagement.
“I loved her trials,” Collett said.
“She showed a lot in the first trial, and we then gave her a quiet trial to give her a good experience.
“She’s still learning. We rode her differently in both trials, she led in one and had to come back and sit outside in another trial. But she’s very good.”
Jenni In Rome, a $130,000 purchase from the Karaka Sale, is a daughter of Sword Of State, the sire responsible for dual Group 1 winner Warwoven, who debuted successfully over 1000m at Randwick last December.
The colt now leading the market, Royal Accord, a son of Home Affairs, was acquired for $300,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast auction and has won both of his trial appearances.
Co-trainer Michael Hawkes expressed satisfaction with the colt’s recent work but conceded that assessing form is challenging when 11 out of the 12 competitors are yet to race.
“He’s trialled well and done everything right,” Hawkes said.
“Obviously, it’s an even race because everything hasn’t had a run. But the horse is well, he’s as good what we can get him for the day.
“He’s drawn well, the 1000 metres will suit and it’s a good starting point.”
Tyler Schiller will ride Royal Accord from barrier five, while Jenni In Rome faces a less favourable draw from gate eight.
This race also marks the introduction of Tour De Force, a colt by the acclaimed sire I Am Invincible and out of the multiple Group 1-winning mare Pippie, who won the Oakleigh Plate and Moir Stakes in 2020. At $1.35 million, he represents the most expensive juvenile in the field.
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