Defcon to resume in Arrowfield 3yo Sprint

Co-trainer Peter Snowden is hoping that Randwick track manager Nevesh Ramdhani is right with his prediction that the track will come back to into the soft range which will help the chances of Defcon when he resumes in the Group 2 $600,000 Arrowfield 3yo Sprint (1200m) on Saturday.

Defcon, above in green colours, is resuming in the Arrowfield 3yo Sprint at Randwick. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Defcon, above in green colours, is resuming in the Arrowfield 3yo Sprint at Randwick. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

The Randwick track was rated a heavy 9 on Wednesday morning but Ramdhani is tipping a track upgrade for day two of ‘The Championships’.

“The track is currently rated a Heavy 9 with improving conditions to come and by Saturday I expect the track to be racing in the soft range,” said Ramdhani on Wednesday.

“The rail I’ve pushed out to 4m from the 1600m marker to the winning post and that just takes us away from the wear from last week’s race meeting into almost fresh ground.”

Defcon will be having his first start since running eighth to Saracino in the Group 2 $200,000 Danehill Stakes (1200m) at Flemington in September and while Snowden said that the Choisir colt can handle a heavy track, he is better suited on a drier surface.

“He is better on top of the ground. He gets through the wet okay, definitely better on top of the ground,” said Peter Snowden who trains in partnership with his son Paul.

“We are hoping the forecasters have got it right, we should have an improving track by the weekend and if we do it will enhance his chances.”

Defcon had a solid hit out on the Randwick course proper on Tuesday morning in preparation for his comeback and Snowden was happy with the colt.

“He worked well,” Snowden said.

 

Defcon showed plenty of ability during his two year old season and earned a place in the 2016 Group 1 $3.5m Longines Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill with his win in the Group 3 $275,000 Mercedes-Benz Canberra Black Opal Stakes (1200m) at Canberra at the start before.

But Defcon was never in the hunt in the Golden Slipper and finished eight and three quarter lengths behind stablemate Capitalist to finish thirteenth.

Defcon then resumed in the 2016 Spring Carnival for a win in the Group 3 $150,000 H.D.F. McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on August 27 before running eighth in the Danehill Stakes.

Blake Shinn rides Defcon who has drawn the outside barrier in the twelve horse Arrowfield 3yo Sprint field.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Global Glamour heads the Arrowfield 3yo Sprint market order at $3.70 with Ladbrokes.com.au while Defcon is rated a $19 chance.

Global Glamour will jump from gate nine with Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle and the Star Witness filly has won a 1030m Rosehill barrier trial on March 30 after running eleventh to Heavens Above in the Group 1 $600,000 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill on March 11.

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.