Experienced jockey Pat Carbery has won most of WA’s top races, but the Group 2 Sky Racing WA Guineas (1600m) is one race that so far has eluded him.
Placings aboard Ragazzo D’Oro (2016), Say Geronimo (2014), Saint Bro (2013) and Trimagic (2002) is the closest Carbery has gone to winning Perth’s elite race for three-year-olds.
Carbery stands a top chance of rectifying that personal anomaly and finally adding his name to the WA Guineas honour roll aboard promising gelding It’sarayday.
The Simon Miller-trained son of Winning Rupert is stacked full of ability and will get a solid examination of that potential in the half a million dollar event.
It’sarayday has won three of four starts and is chasing a feature race double after winning the Listed Fairetha Stakes (1400m) by 1 ¼ lengths two weeks ago.
Only a runner-up placing to Searchin’ Roc’s in the Belgravia Stakes (1200m) has prevented It’sarayday completing a clean sweep of all his races.
Searchin’ Roc’s franked the form after a dominant win over the girls in last Saturday’s Group 3 Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m).
Carbery says It’sarayday is a horse with enormous upside and believes he’s the one who could break his duck in the WA Guineas.
“I’m looking forward to riding him,” Carbery told The Races WA.
“I’ve ridden him two or three times in the past couple of weeks and he has done well since his last run.
“He’ll have a final hit out tomorrow (Tuesday) which will top him off nicely.
“He is untapped this horse, and his career is so bright.
“He still does a lot of things wrong in his races, but keeps stepping up.
“He’s always shown that he has a stack of ability.
“I’ve run a few placings in this race, so it will be nice to win one.”
In a line-up of 13 starters in the WA Guineas, It’sarayday has drawn barrier one.
Carbery and Miller are hoping that the heroics of Mitch Marsh in the T20 World Cup can set the tone and rub off on It’sarayday in the WA Guineas
Marsh, his brother Shaun and fellow WA cricketer, Josh Phillipe along with AFL Docker player, Blake Acres and former Docker Brandon Matera are among It’sarayday’s syndicate of owners.
Tabtouch has It’sarayday $4 and second favourite behind Treasured Star ($2).
Meanwhile Carbery believes Cup Night is spot on for Saturday week’s Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) after completing a third trial at Lark Hill this morning (Monday).
Cup Night charged home with a strong finishing burst from the back of the field and defeated Gemma’s Son by just under a length in heat five.
“I had to shake him up a little, but he attacked the line,” Carbery said.
“He’s progressing well after three trials and had a bit left in reserve.
“He is where we want him to be with the Winterbottom Stakes 12 days away.”