Thousand Guineas winner Amicus has had a perfect preparation leading into the Group 1 $400,000 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday according to her trainer Chris Waller.
Amicus has had the perfect preparation for the Vinery Stud Stakes.Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
Amicus will be having her fourth run from a spell as she steps up to 2000m for the first time and Waller couldn’t be happier with the filly as she prepares to take on the short priced favourite First Seal.
The two fillies have clashed in all three races this campaign and even though First Seal has finished in front of Amicus on all three occasions, Waller is confident that his filly can keep improving.
“I think she has had the perfect preparation. She is not bred to stay, but how could you say that she doesn’t,” Waller said .
“She is similar as First Seal. She has won at Group 1 over a mile, she is in good form and her work has been impeccable, she is a fit horse.”
Amicus was well beaten first up when ninth behind Adrift and First Seal in the Group 2 $175,000 Liberty International Underwriters Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on February 14 and then never threatened when fourth to First Seal in the Group 2 $175,000 Surround Stakes (1400m) at Warwick Farm on February 28.
Then at her latest start against the fillies and mares in the Group 1 $600,000 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill two weeks ago, Amicus was one of six or so that crossed the line together in a blanket finish before being placed fourth, a neck behind Plucky Belle with First Seal and Diamond Drille filling the placings.
Amicus has drawn barrier eight in the fourteen horse field and Tim Clark has retained the ride after riding her in the Coolmore Classic.
Waller has no doubt that First Seal is the filly to beat but also pointed out that the John Thompson trained filly and Amicus had both won Group 1 races over 1600m during the Spring.
First Seal was successful in the Group 1 $400,000 Coolmore Flight Stakes (1600m) at Randwick while Amicus was too strong for the fillies in Melbourne taking out the Group 1 $500,000 Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield.
Waller has three runners in the Vinery Stud Stakes and will also saddle up last start winner Winx and the well-bred Ballet Suite.
Winx was back in the winner’s stall with Tommy Berry in the Group 2 $175,000 Cellarbrations Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on March 14 while Ballet Suite has been racing well in restricted class with two midweek wins this campaign at Randwick over 1400m and 1600m.
Berry will ride Winx again and the filly will jump from gate six while Kerrin McEvoy has stuck with Ballet Suite who has drawn awkwardly at thirteen.
Vinery Stud Stakes market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $1.85 First Seal, $6.50 Winx, $8 Adrift, $9.50 Set Square, $11 Amicus, $17 Fenway, $21 Ballet Suite, $26 Slightly Sweet, $34 Sweet And Speedy, Thunder Lady, $41 Heavens Above, $67 Lady Macan, $101 Wildenstein, Miss Interiors.
