Warwick Stakes Return For Complacent

Complacent has not been seen at the races since he finished a brave second behind Polanski in the 2013 edition of the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m), but he is set to return to the races in the 2015 Warwick Stakes at Royal Randwick on August 22.

Complacent stamped himself as a stayer to watch when he took out the 2013 edition of the Spring Champion Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart

Complacent stamped himself as a stayer to watch when he took out the 2013 edition of the Spring Champion Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart

Complacent stamped himself as a stayer to follow when he took out both the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) and the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) during the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival, but he suffered a serious tendon injury before the start of his autumn campaign that has kept him away from racing ever since.

The Authorized entire finished a credible fourth behind Vashka in a barrier trial over 1000 metres at Hawkesbury on July 27 and he did enough in a barrier trial over 836 metres at Royal Randwick yesterday to convince trainer John O’Shea that he was ready to return in the Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) and build towards races like the Group 3 Craven Plate (2000m) at Royal Randwick on October 3 and potentially the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2000m) at Caulfield on October 24.

“He has had one injury that incapacitated him,” O’Shea told Sky Racing HQ.

“We got him back in the autumn, but we ran out of races for him and the only race that was going to suit him was the All Aged Stakes, which was of no consequence so we decided to spell him again.

“He is going along beautifully, but he is just a bit ring rusty and he is going to need some racing,

“We will kick him off in the Warwick Stakes and I wouldn’t think that he will come to a peak until he gets in something like the Craven Plate after three or four runs.

“We are happy with the way that he is going, but he just needs some racing and a bit of contact to get him up to the speed.”

Complacent was included in the nominations for both the Caulfield Cup and Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) that were released last week and he is also set to be included in the entries for the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) that will be held at Flemington on November 3.

He is currently available at 2015 Caulfield Cup odds of $51 with Ladbrokes and he is priced at $61 to deliver Godolphin their first ever win in the Cox Plate.

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.