Sterling Alexiou acknowledges the tough challenge Dream Side faces in the Reisling Stakes at Randwick but insists the filly is being underestimated in the market.
Dream Side will join stablemate Perle De Chocolate in the Reisling Stakes (1200m), with both fillies considered outsiders at $34 and $19, respectively, on online betting sites.
Having had just one start, Dream Side showed promise with a strong second-place finish behind Marhoona over 1100m at Canterbury, closing strongly along the inside. Autumn Blonde, who placed third in that race, later ran fourth behind Within The Law in the Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m), further boosting the form.
Despite being sent out at double-figure odds for her debut, Alexiou says Dream Side’s strong showing was expected.
“Not at all. She had been going quite nicely at home and trialled up quite well leading into Canterbury,” Alexiou said.
“It’s a big step from Canterbury to a Reisling Stakes but she is well and truly above her odds.
“I don’t think a wet track, which is predicted, will phase her, and also the step to 1200 will be in her favour.
“She is a nice filly. She is going to be better next time around but she has given us no reason not to line up on Saturday.”
Perle De Chocolate, meanwhile, will be having her third start after finishing fifth in the Gimcrack Stakes (1000m) in October and third in the Black Opal Preview (1000m) in Canberra on her return.
Alexiou believes she had a tough run last start and will appreciate stepping up in trip, though he concedes she faces strong opposition.
“She has taken good improvement from that and the step up to 1200 metres will suit,” he said.
“I think you’ll see a much improved showing, but it still looks a tough race.”
Ryan and Alexiou have also entered debut winner King Of Pop for both the Todman Stakes (1200m) at Randwick and Sunday’s Black Opal Stakes (1200m) at Canberra.
They will assess the fields and track conditions before deciding where he will start, but Alexiou is confident of a strong showing.
“He has taken good improvement from his first start at Warwick Farm and he’s always been a horse who has shown ability,” Alexiou said.
“It will be good to see where he sits anyway.”
