IN-FORM stablemates Bush Telegraph and Invaida Prince won’t be rivals at Kembla Grange on Tuesday.
Trainers Jason Attard and Lucy Keegan-Attard accepted with both horses for the Provincial Class 1 Handicap (1500m), but will rely on the former.
Jason Collett has been aboard Bush Telegraph in both Hawkesbury starts for a debut victory in a Midway 3YO Maiden (1300m) on February 21, and a close third in a Midway Class 1 Handicap over the same distance on March 19, and rides her again.
Invaida Prince, at his third start since joining Team Attard, shed his maiden status against provincial rivals over 1300m at Hawkesbury on March 28.
“Invaida Prince might be a bit too fresh to go to 1500m just yet on a heavy track,” Jason Attard said on Monday morning.
“Bush Telegraph was doing her best work at the end of her last run, giving the impression the extra 200m shouldn’t be a problem.
“The query of course is how she will cope with that on a heavy track.
“She has handled soft ground in both her runs and is in good order.”
Following 264mm of rain in the past seven days (but nothing in the last 24 hours), Kembla Grange on Monday morning was rated a “Heavy 10”.
The rail is out 7m for the entire circuit.
The Provincial Class 1 closes the seven-race program, which begins at 1.35pm, and promises to be an interesting contest between Kembla Grange, Hawkesbury and Wyong stables.
Fellow Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup has last start Kembla Grange winner Joint Mission (Rory Hutchings), and another Hawkesbury trainer Steve O’Halloran has Razella, to be ridden by Alysha Collett.
Local trainer Kerry Parker runs his recent Goulburn Super Maiden winner Flying Bandit (Jay Ford), whilst fellow locals Ben Smith and Rob and Luke Prince will be represented by Vieste (apprentice Jess Del Frari) and Monte Maximus (Grant Buckley) respectively.
Wyong trainer Damien Lane adds to the intrigue with Quinky Deel (apprentice Anna Roper) and Really Motivated (Reece Jones).
In an open affair, Bush Telegraph was a $3.80 favorite on Monday morning, ahead of Flying Bandit and Monte Maximus, both at $5.
Team Attard also plans to run Bush Telegraph’s older half-sister Zahdi if she secures a start in the 4YO & Up Benchmark 64 Handicap (1200m).
A Hawkesbury Maiden (1100m) winner on November 9, the four-year-old mare has been runner-up at both starts since resuming.
Zahdi is currently fifth emergency, but there are expected to be a number of withdrawals because of the heavy ground, with jockeys not declared for three acceptors.
RacingNSW has announced a 2kg penalty for Ross McConville’s Bully For You, a Newcastle winner last Saturday.
The penalty takes Bully For You’s weight to 59.5kg, but he is fourth emergency and has drawn the outside barrier in a capacity field.
Story John Curtis, April 8, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos
Michael Craig’s selections are:
Race 1 - 2 Hiawatha classy galloper returning from a long break
3 High Dandy is placed to advantage in this grade
1 Cormac T overcame difficulties to win last start
Race 2 - 1 Devon County looks a big chance fresh
10 Glebe finished close 3rd on heavy track here first up
2 Summons good effort when resuming
Race 3 - 2 Party Doll flew home last start at Newcastle
4 Betsy’s Flag never far away
5 Nightingale will be hard to run down
Race 4 - 6 American Starlet handy effort on debut
2 Monte Braveheart fitter for 2 runs back from spell
7 Lulumon has good form on wet tracks
Race 5 - 12 Obscure strong chance at first start
1 Catoggio could improve on first up performance
8 Celtic Sin resuming after a couple of easy trials
Race 6 - 16 Bully For You ran on well last start
4 Movader getting close to a win
5 Patrika Gold goes well fresh
Race 7 - 8 Monte Maximus nearing peak form
1 Cool and Calm fought on strongly last start
6 Bush Telegraph lightly raced but has ability
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