Jockey Hugh Bowman is excited to partner Amicus in the 2015 Light Fingers Stakes at Royal Randwick this afternoon, but the leading hoop believes that the Thousand Guineas winner may be better placed when she gets over more distance this preparation.
Amicus scored an upset win in the Thousand Guineas during the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Amicus performed consistently without winning in the early stages of her 2014 Spring Racing Carnival, but he was the beneficiary of a flawless ride from Bowman in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) and she was able to record a maiden win at Group 1 level.
The Fastnet Rock filly performed well in two barrier trials ahead of her autumn campaign, but Bowman told Sky Racing HQ that the three-year-old gives him the feeling that she is after more ground than the 1200 metres of the 2015 Light Fingers Stakes this afternoon.
“I am looking forward to her coming back,” Bowman said.
“On her trials Amicus feels like she is going to be better when she gets up to a mile and she might even get to 2000 metres this time in.
“Physically she has developed really well over the summer months and she looks in fine form.
“I was satisfied with her trials.”
The 2015 Light Fingers Stakes has drawn a stunning field of fillies and Group 1 winners Mossfun, Peggy Jean and First Seal are all set to contest the $175,000 this afternoon.
While the likes of Mossfun and First Seal have dominated headlines in the lead-up to the race, Kris Lees-trained Onemorezeta has been the clear market mover in betting markets for the race and Bowman believes the Gucci Stakes winner could prove tough to beat in the Light Fingers Stakes.
“It is going to be a good race the Light Fingers and the best three-year-old fillies have come back and here they are all kicking off in the same race,” Bowman said.
“It is an exciting bunch of fillies and I actually rode Onemorezeta in a trial for Kris Lees when I was up there and I was very impressed with her.
“It will be interesting to see how she goes.”
Amicus is currently available at 2015 Light Fingers Stakes odds of $17 with Ladbrokes, while Flight Stakes winner First Seal ($3.20) remains a clear favourite from Golden Slipper winner Mossfun ($4), Chris Waller-trained Winx ($6), the well-backed Onemorezeta ($6.50), Godolphin-owned Memorial ($8) and Sires Produce Stakes winner Peggy Jean ($19).
