Three year old Eurozone has been cleared to run on Saturday and will take on the older horses again in the Group 1 $1m George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill.
Eurozone, black and white checked cap, rushes home to just go down to Moment Of Change in the CF Orr Stakes. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
Eurozone suffered minor injuries when third to Dissident in the Group 1 $600,000 Royal Randwick Guineas (1600m) at Randwick on March 15.
Co trainer James Cummings reported to Racing New South Wales stewards that the Northern Meteor colt had been galloped on on its near hind leg and subsequent x-rays have cleared him of any major injury.
Cummings also said that Eurozone had missed no work and would take his place against the weight for age horses in the George Ryder Stakes.
A press release from Racing New South Wales said “Mr Cummings advised that precautionary x-rays had cleared the colt of any injury and that Eurozone missed no work as a result and has pleased the stable since.”
Eurozone was tested at weight for age at his first run back in the Autumn and was beaten a whisker by the front running Moment Of Change in the Group 1 $400,000 Sportingbet C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 8.
Cummings then slipped the three year old back to his own age in the Group 1 $500,000 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 1 when he was beaten less than two lengths when fourth to Shamus Award.
Jim Cassidy has picked up the ride on Eurozone for Bart and James Cummings in the George Ryder Stakes replacing the suspended Glen Boss who finished third to Dissident in the Randwick Guineas on the Northern Meteor colt.
“He raced up to win the other day, but I think the 1500m at Rosehill will really suit him,’’ Cassidy said.
Eurozone has drawn the inside barrier in a field of fifteen and the prospect of a wet track won’t be a problem with the colt winning three of his four wins on a slow track.
Mudlark Red Tracer has accepted for the George Ryder Stakes and will jump two from out wide at thirteen while stablemates Boban will come out of gate nine, Sacred Falls out of two and My Kingdom Of Fife has also drawn out wide at fourteen.
Fat Al from the Peter Moody stable is certain to go forward from the outside gate and also has good wet track form with a win on the slow while stablemate Lidari has also drawn worse than midfield at ten and set the pace last start when an all the way winner in the Group 2 $220,000 Incognitus Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on March 8.
