The 2016 Breeders Classic field has been released and only seven horses are set to contest the Group 2 event at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Amicus will carry the top weight of 58 kilograms in the 2016 Breeders Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart
Amicus is the only Group 1 winner in the race and she will carry the top-weight of 58 kilograms under the set weights plus penalties conditions of the race.
The Fastnet Rock mare started her 2015 Spring Racing Carnival campaign with back-to-back wins in the Group 3 Toy Show Quality (1300m) at Royal Randwick on August 22 and the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on September 12, but she was unable to replicate that form and she was sent to the spelling paddock following her fifth place finish in the Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m) at Flemington on October 31.
Kelly Schweida-trained Miss Cover Girl will carry the second top-weight of 55 kilograms and she is chasing her first race win since she took out the Group 3 PJ Bell Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on April 6.
Miss Cover Girl has had a string of placings since that win and she finished a credible third behind Tina Melina and Sheiswhatsheis in the Listed Nudgee Handicap (1200m) at Doomben on January 23.
Team Snowden is the only stable with multiple runners in the 2016 Breeders Classic field and they will be represented by both Dublin Lass and I’ve Got The Looks.
Dublin Lass took out the Listed Starlight Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on November 28 before she was slightly flat in the Listed Razor Sharp Handicap (1200m) at Royal Randwick on December 12, while I’ve Got The Looks was a touch disappointing in the Listed Takeover Target Stakes (1200m) at Gosford on January 8.
One of the most interesting horses in the Breeders Classic is Press Report, who is set to start her autumn campaign in the $175,000 race.
Press Report has recorded just two wins during her racing career to date, but she finished fourth in both the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) and Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) during the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival and she performed fairly without winning during her spring preparation.
Slots produced arguably a career best performance to finish second in the Takeover Target Stakes and she will have the chance to return to winning form in the Breeders Classic, while the field is rounded out by John Sargent-trained Queen Of Kariba.
Recent winners of the Breeders Classic include Gallant Tess (2008), Hot Danish (2009), More Joyous (2011), Steps In Time (2012 and 2013) and Catkins (2014 and 2015).
