Chris Waller’s hopes for an eighth George Ryder Stakes success hinge on the state of the Rosehill track.
The premier trainer’s two runners, Kolding and Hungry Heart, are both more effective on top of the ground and Waller is hoping the surface can improve from its heavy 8 rating on Thursday.
“Her and Kolding, the better the track the better they will run,” Waller said.
“I’m hoping it’s the better side of soft for both of them because they both showed signs of improvement last start.”
An encouraging first-up fourth behind Think It Over in the Apollo Stakes on February 12, Hungry Heart has been entered for a couple of races since then but hasn’t raced due to wet tracks.
Kolding was comfortably beaten in the Apollo first-up but Waller was buoyed by his subsequent fourth to Forbidden Love on a very heavy track in the Canterbury Stakes.
“Hungry Heart, her first-up run was terrific. She just hasn’t been suited with all the wet weather and subsequently we have looked after her and kept her at home. But she is ready to race,” Waller said.
“(Kolding’s) run last start was very good on an unsuitable track so he can certainly be a top three chance, provided the track continues to improve.”
The George Ryder Stakes (1500m) has been a happy hunting ground for Waller, who first won it with Danleigh in 2010 before Winx boosted his tally to seven with four successive victories between 2016 and 2019.
Forbidden Love is a $3.80 TAB fixed odds favourite for Saturday’s renewal, ahead of Mo’Unga ($4) who will be striving to capture another Golden Slipper day feature 12 months after becoming trainer Annabel Neasham’s first Group 1 winner with his Rosehill Guineas triumph.