A great clash is looming in the Group 1 $500,000 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday with Fiorente and It’s A Dundeel expected to line up against each way in the weight for age contest.
Fiorente back in Sydney for the Ranvet Stakes after winning the Australian Cup at Flemington, above. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente has the runs on the board with two wins from two starts this campaign in the Group 2 $220,000 Carlton Draught Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on February 22 and the Group 1 $1m Darley Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 8.
It’s A Dundeel has to redeem himself after a first up second as a short priced favourite to Boban in the Group 1 $500,000 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm on March 8.
While Fiorente is racing at the top of his game early in the Autumn Carnival, It’s A Dundeel will no doubt strip much fitter as he steps up to a more suitable distance in the Ranvet Stakes.
As late as yesterday Gai Waterhouse was undecided if she would start Fiorente on Saturday as he heads towards the Group 1 $4m Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on April 19, but said if his name appeared in the nominations he would line up.
“We have a few things to consider but if we nominate, he will run,’’ Waterhouse told The Daily Telegraph.
Today’s Ranvet Stakes nominations did include Fiorente and It’s A Dundeel among the thirteen entries with Waterhouse who also nominating Her Majesty The Queen’s horse Carlton House.
It’s A Dundeel was the star three year old during last year’s Sydney Autumn Carnival taking out the triple crown with wins in the Group 1 $550,000 Hyland Race Colours Royal Randwick Guineas (1600m) at Warwick Farm, the Group 1 $500,000 M. J. Bale Rosehill Guineas (2000m) at Rosehill and the Group 1 $1.5m David Jones Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick.
The Murray Baker trained stallion also shone in the Spring with a win over the previously undefeated mare Atlantic Jewel in the Group 1 $400,000 Hyland Race Colours Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield.
Leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller has nominated four for the Ranvet Stakes, Foreteller, Hawkspur, Moriarty and Brigantin.
Foreteller is looking for back to back Ranvet Stakes wins after causing an upset last year with a win over the short priced favourite Fiveandahalfstar and has returned to Sydney in good order after running third to Fiorente in the Australian Cup.
And Hawkspur looks to be back on track with an improved third to Boban in the Chipping Norton Stakes.
Star New Zealand mare Silent Achiever is also in the entries with Cambridge trainer Roger James giving her another Australian campaign after winning the Group 1 NZ$200,000 Lindauer New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on March 8.
