Co-trainer Michael Hawkes is confident that Chauffeur will get his chance to score an overdue win in the Group 2 $300,000 Polytrack Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Viridine, above, is the favourite for the Roman Consul Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Viridine, above, is the favourite for the Roman Consul Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Chauffeur scored on debut in a 1100m two year old Handicap at Rosehill in December but has only been placed on three occasions from his next eight starts.

The Snitzel colt has been racing against quality opposition during the 2017 Spring Carnival and Hawkes was happy with his last sixth to stablemate Trapeze Artist in the Group 1 $1m De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill on September 23.

“He’s been knocking on the door and we’re trying to place him in a race he can win,’’ Hawkes told Racing New South Wales News.

“It’s a competitive race but his run in the Golden Rose was excellent.

“His first-up run was outstanding, if you swap the spots with Pariah he is probably winning. Second-up he should have run right behind them and he got smashed in the Golden Rose so, unfortunately, he’s had things go wrong in his last couple of starts.

“’Those races are high pressure and you can’t afford for anything to go wrong. This isn’t as high pressure but it’s a nice race for him.’’

Chauffeur kicked off his Spring Carnival campaign with a first up second to Pariah in the Group 3 $150,000 TPG Telecom San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on August 26 and then finished sixth to Menari in the Group 2 $200,000 The Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill on September 9 prior to running in the Golden Rose.

Chauffeur has drawn barrier four in the eight horse Roman Consul Stakes field and is on the third line of betting at $5 with Ladbrokes.com.au while the James Cummings trained Viridine heads the market order at $3 just ahead of Gary Portelli’s colt Single Bullet at $4.20.

Viriden has drawn nicely at barrier two with Brenton Avdulla in the saddle and the Poet’s Voice colt will be striving to keep his unbeaten record intact after making it three from three with his win over Single Bullet in the Listed $125,000 Heritage Stakes (1100m) at Randwick on September 16.

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.