The prospect of rain in Sydney in the lead up to the weekend will boost the chances of Royal Descent in the Group 1 $500,000 Colgate Optic White George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Royal Descent will appreciate any softness in the ground for the George Main Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast showers on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and noted wet tracker Royal Descent will appreciate any softness in the ground.
Although Royal Descent has recorded three wins on a good surface, everybody can remember the Chris Waller trained filly ploughing through the mud to score a ten lengths victory in the 2013 Group 1 $550,000 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick.
Premiership winning jockey Hugh Bowman will be back on board Royal Descent in the George Main Stakes after riding the mare at her last two starts.
Royal Descent scored a first up win with Bowman in the Group 2 $250,000 Pro-Ride Warwick Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on August 22, her first win since winning the Australian Oaks, and then the pair teamed up for a third behind Complacent and stablemate Kermadec in the Group 2 $250,000 Tattersalls Club Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick two weeks later.
Bowman is happy with the form of Royal Descent heading into the weight for age George Main Stakes and will welcome any rain that does arrive over the next few days.
“The rain will play in her favour, no doubt, and I’ll be putting her into a comfortable spot to give her every chance,” Bowman told Racing NSW News.
“She’s going very well and has an excellent record at the mile.”
Bowman considers Kermadec as the hardest to beat on a good track and bookmakers at Ladbrokes.com.au agree, posting the Doncaster Mile winner as the $2.90 favourite on Thursday morning.
Royal Descent is on the second line of betting and has plenty of admirers, firming in slightly from an opening price of $4.80 and is currently marked at $4.40 ahead of Lucia Valentina at $6.50 and th Gai Waterhouse trained Pornichet at $7.
As well as the two favourites, Waller will also saddle up the outsider of the field, $81 chance Moriarty.
George Main Stakes market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $2.90 Kermadec, $4.40 Royal Descent, $6.50 Lucia Valentina, $7 Pornichet, $12 Hooked, $13 Sweynesse, $15 Kirramosa, $21 Hauraki, $26 Protectionist, $81 Moriarty.
