A three week break in between runs hasn’t deterred trainer David Vandyke, declaring that Prince Cheri will be spot on for Group 1 $400,000 McGrath Estate Agents The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Prince Cheri will be spot on for The Metropolitan at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
Prince Cheri shares favouritism with the Chris Waller trained Moriarty for the major Sydney Spring Carnival staying test after winning at his last two starts at Rosehill.
After winning over 1500m in restricted class, Vandyke stepped Prince Cheri out at Group 3 level and the five year old did the job with a solid win over Honorius in the Group 3 $125,000 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) on September 14.
Vandyke abandoned an early Melbourne attack and was content to give the French Import a three week gap in between runs leading up to The Metropolitan and hopefully earn a start in the Group 1 $2.65m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 19.
“I was a little bit apprehensive about whether the three weeks between runs was going to be too long,” Vandyke told AAP
“I now believe that will be perfect.”
The Warwick Farm trainer will give Prince Cheri a solid hit out on Tuesday morning at his home track and expects him to step out on Saturday in prime condition.
“He’ll have a good serious piece of work on the course proper at Warwick Farm to see where we are at,” Vandyke said.
Moriarty has hits his straps at the right time and will also give Waller a great chance of picking up another Group 1 win after winning the Group 2 $200,000 Bacardi Hill Stakes (2000m) at Randwick last Saturday week.
“To be heading towards a Group 1 race next start we needed to do something and he has delivered,” Waller said.
“It is a good time in the preparation that is what he has been set for.”
Last Saturday’s Rosehill winner Julienas has also returned to form at the right time and trainer Gai Waterhouse said that he would definitely back up in The Metropolitan after leading all the way in the Group 3 $125,000 TAB Colin Stephen Quality (2400m).
“He’s been knocking on the door for a win this horse and I think it was great that he could breakthrough today,” Waterhouse said after Saturday’s win.
Prince Cheri and Moriarty share the top position in The Metropolitan market Order at $4.60 with the Waterhouse pair of Ecuador, at $7, and Julienas, at $10, the next two in the betting.
Peter Moody’s European import Ibicenco is also well in the betting at $15 after the premiership trainer decided to turn his attention to The Metropolitan.
