The 2016 Eskimo Prince Stakes nominations have been released and Group 1 winners Japonisme, Press Statement, Pride Of Dubai and Vanbrugh are all a chance to return to the races in the $150,000 race at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Pride Of Dubai is one of four Group 1 winners that have been included in the 2016 Eskimo Prince Stakes nominations. Photo by: Steve Hart
Pride Of Dubai is the one horse that is a confirmed Eskimo Prince Stakes starter after missing the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) on Saturday and he is set to make his first appearance at the races since he took out the Group 1 Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on April 6 last year.
The Street Cry colt produced an impressive effort to beat Press Statement and Vanbrugh in a barrier trial at Royal Randwick on January 12 and he did nothing wrong when fourth in a trial over 800 metres at Warwick Farm on January 25.
Press Statement has also been given two barrier trials ahead of his return to racing and could have his first race start since he took out the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 10.
The Hinchinbrook colt could be joined in the Eskimo Prince Stakes by stablemates Vanbrugh and Japonisme, who have also been given two barrier trials in the lead-up to their Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival campaign.
Vanbrugh struggled at the start of his 2015 Spring Racing Carnival campaign, but he thrived when he stepped up in distance and he finished his preparation with a win in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on October 10, while Japonisme bounced back from a pair of defeats to Exosphere to take out the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on October 31.
Trainer Chris Waller is set to have a strong hand in the Eskimo Prince Stakes and he has also included Counterattack, Dubaiinstyle, Hursley and Torgersen in the nominations for the Group 3 event.
Another stable that is set to be well represented in the Eskimo Prince Stakes is Godolphin, who have included Art Nouveau, Inner Circle, Moher, Painted Firetail, Shards and Tarquin in the entries.
Inner Circle and Painted Firetail will both have a fitness edge over the majority of their rivals in the Eskimo Prince Stakes, while the other Godolphin gallopers could return to the races in the Group 3 event.
The Eskimo Prince Stakes nominations are packed full of talent and the likes of Cannyescent, Let’s Make It Rain, Look To The Stars, Spill The Beans, Top Score, Voilier, Wolf Cry and Zoutenant could also contest what is set to be a ripping contest.
