In the Queen Of The Turf Stakes’ weight-for-age format, Arctic Glamour concedes an edge to Lazzura upon reunion, but Gerald Ryan her trainer sees no insurmountable barrier.
During the Coolmore Classic (1500m), a 2.5kg allowance helped Arctic Glamour fall short by a short neck against Lazzura; Saturday’s Randwick encounter evens the scales.
Ryan cautions against over-relying on weight shifts, drawing on Recurring’s Group 1 history: beaten at 54.5kg in the 2004 Birthday Card Stakes, then triumphant at 58kg soon after in like company. “I remember a few years ago Recurring got beaten in a mares race with around 54 kilos then went to the Sapphire Stakes, and because it was set weights with penalties she ended up with 58 and she beat the mares that beat her the start before, despite carrying more weight.”
Arctic Glamour’s mile suitability is under scrutiny.
No placings from six 1600m runs, but she claimed unlucky fifths in the 2023 Thousand Guineas (1600m) and the Epsom Handicap (1600m) to Ceolwulf next year.
The free-going Pride Of Jenni elevates the Queen Of The Turf Stakes on Saturday, aligning with Ryan’s desire for a quiet ride.
“It’s going to be a strong mile on Saturday with the speed that’s in the race,” he said. “We will ride her quiet from where she’s drawn. Her best runs are when we ride her quiet.”
Post March 14 Coolmore Classic, she skipped the rain-hit Emancipation Stakes (1500m).
Trials and trackwork have been sharp lately, per Ryan. “She trialled very well on Thursday, and her work (on Tuesday) morning was very good. As good as I’ve seen her do,” he said.
Ryan with Sterling Alexiou enters Skyhook in the Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (1200m), opting for pace restraint.
The Darby Munro Stakes (1200m) fourth seemed flat at first, but Ryan reconsidered. “On face value, we were. But when you analyse the race, he was giving them all weight and maybe on the hot speed we rode him too close,” he said. “We’re going to ride him negative on Saturday and see if we can hit the line.”
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