Gerald Ryan has both Fireworks and Perignon in the 2015 Reisling Stakes and the veteran trainer is happy with the condition of both fillies heading into the Group 2 event at Royal Randwick this afternoon.
Fireworks will return to racing in the 2015 Reisling Stakes at Royal Randwick this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart
Fireworks stamped herself as a filly to watch when she recorded an impressive victory in the Group 3 Widden Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on January 31 and she has achieved more in her racing career to date than her stablemate Perignon, but Ryan told Racing Ahead that Perignon has generally outworked Fireworks since before they both made their racing debuts.
Both horses will be returning to the races for the first time since a freshen-up and Ryan is confident that Fireworks and Perignon will both perform well in the 2015 Reisling Stakes this weekend.
“They worked together a lot before they raced and Perignon always had the edge on Fireworks, but in saying that as time has gone by Fireworks has gone to the races and raced better than her work has indicated,” Ryan said.
“Fireworks had 18 days on the water walker and going to the paddock and the other filly had a month after Magic Millions doing the same thing.
“Both fillies have done really well, they have come back and maintained their weight and they have worked strong heading into the race on Saturday.”
Fireworks was ridden as an on-pacer in her first race start, but produced a more impressive performance when she was settled off the speed in the Hyland Race Colours Plate (1100m) at Royal Randwick on January 17 before she savaged the line late in the Widden Stakes, while Perignon has been settled towards the tail of the field in all three of her race starts.
Ryan said that he expects Fireworks to settle off the pace in the Reisling Stakes this weekend, but he is hopeful that Perignon may be able to take a position closer to the speed if she is able to jump from the barriers cleanly.
“It is quite interesting because they are both by Snitzel and they both get back,” Ryan said.
“Fireworks we probably found out by mistake that she races better back, but in saying that she probably isn’t strong enough to go flat out all the way.
“She will be back from barrier six and given a chance to hit the line.
“The other filly hasn’t been that brilliant out of the gates in any of her starts, but I jumped her out on Tuesday and she left the gates as quick as I have ever seen her leave them.
“She may not be as far back out of it as she has been in her three starts and it just depends on how she jumps.
“Both fillies racing patterns should be suited by Randwick.”
Fireworks is currently available at 2015 Reisling Stakes odds of $6 with Ladbrokes, while Perignon has been backed into $11 after opening at $14.
