The Gerald Ryan trained Washington Heights is still a chance to run in the Group 1 $1m Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday even though he finished out of a place at Randwick last weekend.
Washington Heights was unplaced behind Panzer Division, above, in the Ming Dynasty Quality Handicap at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
Washington Heights was sent out the $2.60 favourite in the Group 3 $125,000 Ming Dynasty Quality Handicap (1400m) but was beaten almost five lengths when sixth to Panzer Division.
But the lure of the $1m prizemoney could be enough to tempt connections to back up again on Saturday with Ryan putting off a decision until Tuesday morning.
“Not sure yet, will decided on Tuesday morning. It’s a Group 1 worth $1 million on his home track,” Ryan told Racing Network.
If Ryan decides to run the Commands colt, the top Rosehill trainer could have three runners in the prestige Group 1 for the three year olds.
Ryan has already confirmed starts for All American colt Bachman and his smart Snitzel filly Ygritte.
Bachman will be having his first run back in the Golden Rose Stakes while Ygritte will get her chance against the males again after finishing third behind Hallowed Crown in the Group 3 $125,000 MTA NSW Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill on August 30.
“Bachman is more a Derby horse but he’s nice and fresh so it will be interesting to see how he goes,’’ Ryan said.
“He probably can’t win it, but it just fits in nice for where we will head with him.
“It is two weeks all the way through then to either the Norman Robinson or the Champion Stakes and then two weeks to the Derby if you wanted to test him that far.
“The way he is going, he is going like a 2000 metres, 2400 metres horse.”
“Ygritte went really well in the Run To The Rose and she has improved since. We will are still weighing up our options with Washington Heights.’’
Ryan thinks that Bachman will develop into a good middle distance performer and is aiming him towards the Group 1 $1.5m AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on November 1.
Washington Heights is still rated a $12 chance for the Golden Rose Stakes while Bachman and Ygritte are both marked at $26.
The Peter Moody trained Bring Me The Maid heads the betting at $4.40 just ahead of Bart and James Cummings’ Run To The Rose winner Hallowed Crown at $4.80.
Moody will also saddle up Better Land who shares the next line of betting at $8 just ahead of $9 chance Nostradamus from the Team Hawkes stables while Almalad is on the next line of betting at $11 just ahead of Scissor Kick, Panzer Division and Kumaon at $13.
