Lindsay Park co-trainer David Hayes is confident that former New Zealand trained filly Risque will be back to her best when she lines up in the Group 1 $1m The Coolmore Legacy Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
David Hayes expects Risque, above, to be back to her best in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
The weight for age feature for the fillies and mares was formerly known as the Queen Of The Turf Stakes and is one of four Group 1s to be contested on day two of ‘The Championships’.
The other Group 1 races on the ten event program are the $1m James Boag’s Premium Australian Oaks (2400m) for the three year old fillies, the $2m Schweppes Sydney Cup (3200m) for the stayers and the $4m Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) for the top weight for age performers.
Risque is coming off a last start eighth as the $3.30 favourite in the Group 1 $500,000 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on March 26, but Hayes is willing to forget the run.
Hayes said that Risque pulled up with a minor foot problem but has responded to treatment and will strip fully fit in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes.
“You’ve got to forgive her run in the Vinery. She pulled up with a foot [issue],” Hayes said in Lindsay Park’s stable update.
“And she’ll saddle up a different filly this week.
“I can assure punters that her action’s been perfect all week.”
Risque will jump from barrier four and has regular rider Damian Lane in the saddle again in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes.
Risque has only had three runs for the Lindsay Park team of Hayes and Tom Dabernig and arrived in Australia as the winner of the Group 1 NZ$300,000 New Zealand Bloodstock 43rd 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton Park in November.
The Lindsay Park Team was able to produce Risque a first up winner for the stable in the Group 3 $150,000 Kevin Hayes Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 13 followed by a third behind Palentino and Tarzino in the Group 1 $750,000 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 5 before heading to Sydney for the Vinery Stud Stakes.
Hayes will also saddle up the ex Peter Moody trained filly Pasadena Girl in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes.
Kerrin McEvoy takes the ride on Pasadena Girl who has drawn out wide at sixteen in the original barrier draw, but Hayes won’t be offering this as an excuse and expects the Savabeel filly to be finishing strongly from back in the field.
“She has been missing the start so I don’t think it is too big a deal. She will be produced late and she will love the conditions,” Hayes said.
Risque is well in the betting for the Queen Of The Turf Stakes at $9 with Ladbrokes.com.au while Pasadena Girl is at the healthy odds of $19.
Queen Of The Turf Stakes market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3.70 Azkadellia, $7 Zanbagh, $9 Risque, $9.50 Badawiya, $10 Suavito, $14 Lady Le Fay, Noble Protector, $15 Miss Rose De Lago, $16 Artistry, $19 Pasadena Girl, $21 Heavens Above, $26 Asinara, $31 Slightly Sweet, $41 Vergara, $81 Casino Dancer, $101 Coronation Shallan.
