Always Allison to take on the fillies in Sweet Embrace Stakes

Premier trainer Chris Waller will get a better idea if Always Allison is up to Golden Slipper class after she contests the Group 2 $175,000 Les Johnson Memorial Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) at Warwick Farm on Saturday.

Jockey Glyn Schofield will ride Always Alison in the Sweet Embrace Stakes at Warwick Farm. Photo by Taron Clarke.

Always Allison has drawn barrier one in the twelve horse Sweet Embrace Stakes field and will be ridden again by Glyn Schofield who was aboard the More Than Ready filly in her debut win over 1150m in a two year old maiden at Warwick Farm on February 4.

Always Allison created a huge impression with racegoers at the midweek meeting and has since scored an impressive barrier trial win over 900m at Rosehill on February 17.

“It was good to see she settled nicely in behind the leader then put a bit of pressure on the leader turning for home before sprinting away like a good horse should,’’ Waller said after Always Allison’s Warwick Farm win.

The smart filly isn’t among the nominations the Group 1 $3.5m Tooheys New Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on March 21 but another dominant win could tempt connections to pay the $150,000 late entry fee for the richest two year old race in the world.

Waller will also saddle up Flying Spur filly Micucci who made up some ground in the straight last start when fourth to Fireworks in the Group 3 $150,000 Widden Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on January 31.

Jason Collett will be aboard Micucci again and the filly will jump from the outside gate.

Lady Jivago will be looking to maintain her unbeaten record in the Sweet Embrace Stakes but has been set a task after coming up with barrier eleven with Grant Buckley in the saddle.

Even though Lady Jivago is the highest money earner in the field with $191,000, most of that from her win in the $250,000 Inglis Classic (1200m) at Rosehill on February 7 which is excluded from eligible prizemoney for the Golden Slipper ballot conditions.

Lady Jivago is currently equal fiftith in the order of entry for the Golden Slipper but the winner of the Sweet Embrace Stakes is exempt from the ballot and will gain automatic entry if she in among the second acceptances.

Italy from the John O’Shea stable is also stepping up in class after leading all of the way to win an 1100m Canterbury two year old maiden on February 11.

The Domesday filly has also drawn awkwardly at nine and will be ridden by the well acclaimed English jockey James Doyle.

James McDonald will be riding O’Shea’s other runner Circular (barrier 10) who started favourite at her only race start when third to Vanbrugh in a midweek Randwick 1200m two year old maiden on February 18.

Trainer Gerald Ryan will be bringing Kembla Grange maiden winner Heavenly Hand to town with Brenton Avdulla to ride from barrier three.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.