The step up to 1600m for the Group 1 $1m Girvan Waugh Randwick Guineas at Randwick will help the chances of the Team Hawkes trained Inference.
Tommy Berry, above, rides Inference in the Randwick Guineas at Randwick. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Co-trainer Michael Hawkes expects Inference to perform well after the stable was pleased with his first up effort over 1400m when fifth to Man From Uncle in the Group 2 $400,000 Schweppes Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on February 18.
“His run was really good last start. He got back and really hit the line solid. He came down the outside with Prized Icon and he is on target for Saturday,” Hawkes told Sky Racing.
“First up 1400m but obviously it was s starting point and he really hit the line solid.”
“Getting to a mile and getting to a distance that probably suits.”
“I think as he gets on into his prep, we’ve him run in the Derby in Melbourne, once he gets out to a distance that suits he will be really competitive.”
Inference was very competitive during the 2016 Melbourne Spring Carnival and was solid to the line when third behind Prized Icon and Sacred Elixir in the Group 1 $1.5m AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington.
Hawkes is hoping to have Ineference peaking for ‘The Championships’ and the So You Think colt is currently the $11 equal favourite with Prized Icon at Ladbrokes.com.au for the Group 1 $2m BMW Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on April 1.
Sydney is in for another wet weekend and the Randwick track is already rated as a heavy 9 on Wednesday but Hawkes doesn’t see that as a problem as Inference has won twice on rain affected tracks and he workred okay in the wet conditions at track work this morning.
“He stretched his legs here this morning. We have had a bit of rain here obviously the last couple of days, the tracks are a bit wet and he loves the ground,” said Hawkes who trains in partnership with his father John and brother Wayne.
“He got through it really really good, we were very happy with his work.”
“He obviously has a long preparation ahead but his first up run was really really good and we are happy with him going into Saturday.”
“His fitness levels are getting up now and he worked really good this morning.”
Inference has drawn barrier eleven in the fourteen horse Randwick Guineas with Tommy Berry in the saddle again after riding the colt in the Hobartville Stakes.
The Chris Waller trained Comin’ Through heads the betting for the Randwick Guineas at $4.60 at Ladbrokes.com.au ahead of Man From Uncle at $6, Inference at $6.50 and Prized Icon at $7 while next in the market order at $8.50 is Echo Effect and the only filly in the Randwick Guineas, Invincible Gem.
