Champion Sydney trainer Chris Waller concedes that Telepathic will need plenty of good luck from a wide barrier in the Group 2 $250,000 Inglis Villiers Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Telepathic will need plenty of luck from barrier 18 in the Villiers Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
Telepathic has drawn barrier eighteen in the capacity twenty horse field and even though Waller can see the task ahead as difficult, he hasn’t lost faith in the five year old mare.
“They say over the Randwick Mile that barrier draws are irrelevant, but I just think you need a bit of luck,” Waller said.
“But you need more luck to win from barrier eighteen.”
“She is a good chance but the barrier draw has pulled us back to the pack a bit, unfortunately.”
Telepathic is racing in career best form with wins at her last two starts at Rosehill.
Apprentice Rory Hutchings rode her to victory in a 1500m BenchMark 84 Handicap on November 14 followed by a win with James McDonald in the Listed $100,000 Tyreel Stud ATC Cup over 2000m two weeks later.
Jason Collett takes the ride in the Villiers Stakes and Waller has every confidence that he will give Telepathic every opportunity to win.
“Jason Collett knows the horse well, and she is in terrific form this preparation,” Waller said.
Waller’s plan of dropping his horses back from the 2000m to the 1600m has worked successfully in the past with several big race winners and the premiership winning trainer can’t see it as problem for Telepathic.
“Coming back to the Mile won’t be a problem,” Waller said.
Telepathic is on the second line of betting at $7 for the Villiers Stakes with Ladbrokes.com.au behind the in-form Happy Clapper at $4.80.
The Pat Webster trained Happy Clapper is also a winner at his last two starts and drops 7.5kg on his last start win in a 1500m BenchMark Handicap 85 at Rosehill a fortnight ago.
Waller will also saddle up I’m Imposing who also had no luck at the barrier draw, coming up with gate seventeen and has been listed a $34 chance in the Villiers Stakes.
I’m Imposing ran second in the Villiers Stakes last year from barrier twelve with 56.5kg and the ten year old is up 2kg this year with 58.5kg with Josh Parr to ride.
“He’ll need a bit of luck from out there,” Waller said.
“He ran second last year, a very unlucky second. He can bounce back, but he is going to need a skilful ride to win. Josh is riding good.”
Since last year’s Villiers Stakes, I’m Imposing won at his next start in the Group 3 $125,000 Summer Cup (2000m) at Randwick and raced through the 2015 Brisbane Winter Carnival where he ran third behind Pornichet and stablemate Weary in the Group 1 $650,000 The Bundaberg Rum Doomben Cup (2000m) at Doomben.
Villiers Stakes market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.80 Happy Clapper, $7 Telepathic, $8.50 God’s In Him, $10 It’s Somewhat, Frespanol, $11 Puccini, $13 Zanbagh, $15 Malice, $17 Casino Dancer, $19 Red Excitement, $21 Rhythm To Spare, Mighty Lucky, $26 Ninth Legion, Tinto, $34 I’m Imposing, $41 Timeless Prince, Moral Victory, $81 Pheidon, $126 Keepit To Yourself, $151 Dream Folk.
If you fancy a runner in the Villiers Stakes, take advantage of Ladbrokes Special Offer. [ladbrokes] are offering Best Tote or SP + 20% on the Villiers Stakes this Saturday, which means you can get an additional 20% on your winnings up to a maximum bet of $50.
