Trainer Colin Scott is confident that tough gelding Speediness can record his first win at Group 1 level when he contests the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Sunday.
Speediness will be competing at Group 1 level for just the second time in his career in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield on Sunday. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Speediness has not competed at the highest level of racing since he finished seventh behind More Joyous in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes during the 2012 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival but earnt another crack at a Group 1 after he recorded an impressive victory in the Group 3 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) at Flemington on September 7.
The son of Testa Rossa beat home a strong field in his first-up tilt, including well-backed favourite Rebel Dane, but is still well down the 2013 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes betting market at odds of $15.
Scott told Racing Victoria that his low profile was the reason that the Speediness was at such long odds but believes the six-year-old is in career best form and is ready to take the next step in his racing career.
“I think if the horse was trained by a big-name trainer then he’d be half of his opening price and people would probably take more notice,” Scott said.
“At the end of the day though it doesn’t really matter, the horse is flying, he’s doing a really good job and I couldn’t be happier with him going into Sunday.
“He’s gone to another level this preparation without any doubt whatsoever.
“The horse is really enjoying his work and the times that he has been running on the track are significantly better than what he has shown in any of his other preparations.”
Speediness came from the back of the field to win the Bobbie Lewis Quality with a strong finishing run down the middle of the track but Scott said that he would be happy if jockey Craig Williams rides the gelding a bit closer to the pace this weekend.
“The best thing about having Craig Williams on is that he’s so quick to judge the speed in a race if he thinks the horse can position a bit closer he will,” Scott said.
“He’s just such an adaptable horse because he always switches off and settles wherever you put him in a race.”
Speediness is set to have a number of opportunities at Group 1 level during the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival, with the Toorak Handicap (1600m) and Emirates Stakes (1600m) both on the agenda, and he was also included in the second acceptances for the Cox Plate (2040m).
