The tempo of the race will decide if Dothraki can turn the tables on Our Boy Malachi in the Listed $100,000 Thoroughbred Breeders NSW Razor Sharp (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Dothraki needs the speed to do his best in the Razor Sharp at Randwick. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
The Gerald Ryan trained Dothraki will meet Our Boy Malachi on 2.5kgs better terms after being beaten a length and three quarters by the former Queensland sprinter in the Listed $100,000 Starlight Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill two weeks ago.
But Ryan is more concerned if there is going to be any genuine speed in the race which Dothraki needs if he is going to be a winning chance.
“It depends how the race is going to be run,’’ Ryan told The Daily Telegraph.
“If there is a bit of speed on it will help us but if they sit up in front, it will be hard for him.’’
The prospect of a rain affected track will also help the chances of Dothraki who has a win and a third from two runs on a heavy track.
Randwick was rated in the heavy range on Friday afternoon after receiving 43.2mm of rain in the last seven days with more showers predicted on Saturday.
Our Boy Malachi hasn’t been tested on a heavy track but has scored at his only run on a soft surface.
Rosehill trackwork watcher John Moc is certain the Dothraki has done enough on the tracks since his second in the Starlight Stakes to be given a chance of reversing the result.
Moc wrote in his Sportsman column that Dothraki recorded the best gallop of the morning on Monday running the final 200m of the 800m workout in 11.76secs.
Dothraki completed the 800m trip in 53.20 secs, clocking the last 600m in 37.44 secs.
“It was the best of the morning and he came off the track in mint condition for trainer Gerald Ryan,” Moc wrote in the Sportsman.
“He meets the Queenslander 2.5kgs better for a 1.8 lens defeat when they last met on November 29 at Rosehill and I know Dothraki has come on from that run.”
Ryan has also been happy with the way Dothraki has come through the Starlight Stakes run and knows that the Mossman four year old will produce his best again on Saturday.
“He seems well and he is coping his racing really well this time in,” Ryan said.
“I’m really happy with the way that he is going.”
Dothraki was been racing consistently at his three runs since resuming, running second first up over 1200m at Rosehill On October 25 before winning at the same track over 1100m on November 15 prior to the Starlight Stakes.
Blake Shinn will again be aboard Dothraki who has drawn barrier five in the eight horse field while Our Boy Malachi with James McDonlad to jump from gate three.
Our Boy Malachi is undefeated from two starts for the Hawkes stable and has been marked as the $1.90 favourite for the Razor Sharp with Ladbrokes.com.au ahead of Dothraki at $3.70.
Howmuchdoyouloveme will be having his first run since finishing well back in the field when ninth in the Group 3 $175,000 W.J. Healy Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on June 21 and is a $10 chance.
