Omei Sword might be the only filly nominated for the Group 3 $150,000 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday but has been installed the equal favourite at Ladbrokes.com.au.
Omei Sword,, above, can take on the colts and geldings in the Eskimo Prince Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
The Chris Waller trained Omei Sword and John O’Shea’s Impending share the top spot in the market order at $3.60 with the filly’s stablemate Comin’ Through next in the early betting at $6.
Omei Sword and Impending last met when finishing second and third behind Astern in the Group 1 $1m De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill during the 2016 Sydney Spring Carnival.
Waller had to call short Omei Sword’s Spring Carnival campaign after she developed a respiratory infection which ruled her out of running in the Group 1 $500,000 Sydney Airport Flight Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.
“We thought, ‘well you’re going to have a pretty big autumn’ taking on some older fillies and mares’ so we decided not to push too far when she had a minor setback,” Waller told AAP.
“She’s come back well and she’s a strong, mature horse now.”
Waller has no concerns setting the High Chaparral filly up against the colts and gelding after she displayed in the Spring that she can compete with them.
“She has had that experience against the boys and proved she can be up against the depth of those colts,” Waller said.
“It makes for an exciting horse ahead of the autumn.”
Omei Sword has been prepared for her return to the track with two easy barrier trials at Warwick Farm on January 10 and Randwick on January 27 as she kicks off her Autumn Carnival campaign that will head towards the Group 1 $600,000 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill on March 11.
Waller has also entered Veladero and Comin’ Through for the Eskimo Prince Stakes with both colts also nominated for the $100,000 BenchMark 82 Handicap (1400m).
Veladero showed plenty of promise in the Spring with a win in the Group 3 $200,000 Schweppes Gloaming Stakes (1800m) at Rosehill while Comin’ Through wrapped up his Spring campaign with a win in the Group 3 $200,000 The Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day.
O’Shea has also nominated three for the Eskimo Prince Stakes and as well as Impending has Bezel and Bryneich among the fifteen entries.
Bezel was spelled after running third to Comin’ Through in the Carbine Club Stakes while Bryneich will be stepping up to Group 3 company for the first time after winning a 1250m BenchMark 70 Hanicap at Canterbury on January 20.
Early market order for the Eskimo Prince Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3.60 Omei Sword, Impending, $6 Comin’ Through, $7 Bezel, $8 Tactical Advantage, $9 Bryneich, Guard Of Honour, $12 Spending To Win, $15 Gauguin, $16 Man From Uncle, $18 Veladero, $21 Inside Agent, $31 Generalissimo, $51 On The Spot, $101 Chavo.
