Hobartville Stakes winner Brandenburg will have one more barrier trial before stepping out in Group 1 weight for age company in the $500,000 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on August 22.
Brandenburg, above, is being set for the Winx Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
Trainer John Sargent was pleased with Brandenburg’s effort when fourth for Hugh Bowman in a 1080m barrier trial on the Polytrack at Randwick on Tuesday and said that one more trial would have him ready for Winx Stakes.
“He just had a nice quiet trial like he did last time,” Sargent told AAP.
“He had two trials last preparation and just finished in amongst them both times so he’ll do the same and then he’ll be ready to go in the Winx Stakes.
“He was very fresh early in the trial and Hugh just sat on him up the straight and was happy with him.
“He pulled up with a big blow so he’s on track for where we’re going.”
“We’ve got a more mature horse so hopefully we’re in for an exciting season.”
Brandenburg caused a huge upset in scoring a first up win at $41 in the Group 2 $400,000 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill at the start of the 2020 Sydney Autumn Carnival.
The colt then proved that that win wasn’t a fluke with a third next start in the Group 1 $1m Randwick Guineas (1600m) at Randwick on March 7.
Sargent then tested Brandenburg in weight for age company and he finished a creditable fourth in the Group 1 $1m George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill a fortnight later and then went on to run third with a light weight in the Group 1 $1.5m Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on Day One of The Championships.
Early betting at Ladbrokes.com.au for the Winx Stakes has Brandenburg marked at $12 while the Chris Waller trained Funstar has been installed as the $6.50 favourite ahead of Kiwi star Melody Belle at $7 and the Team Hawkes trained Master Of Wine at $8.50.
Early betting for the Winx Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $6.50 Funstar, $7 Melody Belle, $8.50 Master Of Wine, $10 Dreamforce, $11 Verry Elleegant, $12 Brandenburg, Fierce Impact, $15 Alligator Blood, Flit, Probabeel, $17 Catalyst, Rubisaki, The Bostonian, $19 Con Te Partiro, $21 Fasika, Kinane, Kolding, Quackerjack, $26 Avilius, Cascadian, Colette, Danzdanzdance, Kings Will Dream, Star Of The Seas, $31 Homesman, Imaging, Mister Sea Wolf, $34 or better the rest.
