The field for the Group 1 $1m Girvan Waugh Randwick Guineas (1600m) at Randwick today will remain intact with the Chris Waller trained Press Statement dominating the betting at his odds on quote.
Press Statement is the odds on favourite for the Randwick Guineas at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
Press Statement is the overwhelming favourite at $1.45 this morning in the thirteen horse field that only has two other runners under the $10 at Ladbrokes.com.au.
The David Hayes and Tom Dabernig trained Stay With Me has had some support, firming in from $8.50 to $8 while Montaigne from the Anthony Cummings stables has drifted out slightly to $9.50.
Waller has reported that he can’t fault the condition of Press Statement since his first up win in the Group 2 $400,000 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on February 20 as he tries to claim his third Group 1 trophy today in the Randwick Guineas.
“He has done very well,” Waller told Racing HQ Saturday this morning.
“It is hard to say much more than that. He was fairly forward when he resumed, but race fitness will just help bring him up to the mile for today His attitude is unchanged, a very sound horse, touch wood he is straight forward.”
The Hinchinbrook colt won the Group 1 $600,000 BMW Australia J.J. Atkins (1600m) at Doomben during the Brisbane Winter Carnival at the end of his two year old season before going on to win the Group 1 $1m BECK Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield during the 2015 Melbourne Spring Carnival.
Press Statement has drawn barrier twelve in the thirteen horse field but Waller is not at all concerned about the wide alley and will rely on Hugh Bowman’s expertise to overcome that minor hurdle.
“He has good gate speed if required, he can go back, he can settle, he can do whatever Hughie (Bowman) wants. We won’t tie him down. I couldn’t expect any changes really,” Waller said.
Waller said that he had set Press Statement specifically for the Randwick Guineas and will decide his future Autumn Carnival program after today, which could be the Group 1 $600,000 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) against the three year olds or the weight for age Group 1 $1m George Ryder Stakes (1500m), both at Rosehill Golden Slipper Day.
“Today has always been our target. After today we will see if it is the George Ryder or the Rosehill Guineas or whatever we may choose,” Waller said.
Randwick Guineas market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $1.45 Press Statement, $8 Stay With Me, $9.50 Montaigne, $16 Le Romain, $21 Tulsa, $26 Dal Cielo, Shards, $41 Data Point, $51 Gold Ambition, $71 Man Of Choice, Balmain Boy, $81 Mackintosh, Etymology.
