Trainer Gerald Ryan believes only a wet track could stop Trapeze Artist from winning first up in the Group 2 $200,000 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
Trapeze Artist, above, is the early favourite for the 2018 Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.
Ryan has dismissed the 61kg top weight under the handicap conditions as a problem for Trapeze Artist but admits if the Randwick track is rated in the heavy range he would be a bit concerned.
“Weight will stop a train but I knew when I picked this race out for him he was going to get 61kg and he’s giving some handy horses up to 8kg,’’ Ryan told Racing New South Wales News Desk.
“The only flaw in his makeup is I don’t think he handles heavy tracks.’’
“Given not worse than a soft 6 I expect the horse to win, even giving away weight.”
The Randwick track was rated a soft 5 on Thursday morning with more showers predicted in the lead up to the weekend.
Trapeze Artist has drawn nicely at barrier three in the eight horse Theo Marks Stakes field with Tye Angland in the saddle again and Ryan has selected the Chris Waller trained D’Argento as the hardest to beat.
“I am frightened of D’Argento, though, I have a lot of time for him,” Ryan said.
“But it’s not his grand final and twice I’ve run him first-up, gone three weeks to his next run and he’s won third-up.’’
Trapeze Artist’s main 2018 Spring Carnival assignment is the $13m The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 13 and the four year old is currently sharing favouritism at Ladbrokes.com.au at $4.80 with the Team Snowden trained Redzel.
Trapeze Artist swung into the spotlight with a win at big odds in the Group 1 $1m De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill during the 2017 Sydney Spring Carnival and then secured a spot in The Everest with two Group 1 wins at Randwick during the 2018 Sydney Autumn Carnival in the $2.5m Darley T J Smith Stakes (1200m) and in the $600,000 Schweppes All Aged Stakes (1400m).
Rosehill Guineas winner D’Argento will have fitness on his side after running home for third behind his super star stablemate Winx in the Group 1 $500,000 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on August 18.
Hugh Bowman takes over the reins on D’Argento from James McDonald and the grey will jump from gate four.
Early betting for the Theo Marks Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au has Trapeze Artist as the $2.80 favourite with D’Argento putting pressure on for the top spot at $3 ahead of Home Of The Brave and Siege Of Quebec bot at $5.50.
