Randwick Guineas dream result for Echo Effect hinges on vet check

Echo Effect will have to pass a vet check before he will be able to deliver a dream result for Wyong trainer Kristen Buchannan in the Group 1 $1m Girvan Waugh Randwick Guineas (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Comin' Through, above in yellow colours, is the favourite for the Randwick Guineas at Randwick. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Comin’ Through, above in yellow colours, is the favourite for the Randwick Guineas at Randwick. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Echo Effect is one of the top fancies for the Randwick Guineas after being beaten in the last stride when second to Man From Uncle in the Group 2 $400,000 Schweppes Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on February 18 but Buchannan had to advise Racing New South Wales stewards that the gelding had sustained some bruising to his off fore foot.

Stewards have informed Buchannan that Echo Effort will have to be cleared to run by the Racing NSW vet before being allowed to take his place in the Randwick Guineas.

Echo Effect is rated as $8.50 chance for the Randwick Guineas at Ladbrokes.com.au and a win in the three year old Group 1 would be a dream come true for Buchannan.

“It would be the biggest highlight of my career to date and I would be stoked,” Buchanan told The Daily Telegraph.

“This is the horse that has excited me from when he first came in and I guess it’s what you dream about.”

“He will have his opportunity and it might not be this race but I think he has a bright future.”

The prospect of a rain soaked Randwick track doesn’t worry Buchannan with Echo Effect having won twice on the heavy and she expects him to also handle the step up to the 1600m of the Randwick Guineas.

“He loves the wet and yes he goes into a Group 1 but I think he should be racing in those races,” Buchanan said.

“Paul (King) has sorted him out and he is starting to settle a bit better and I think he will love the mile but I don’t know until we try it.”

“He is bred to get the mile and it’s one hell of a way to find out if he will run it.”

Regular rider Paul King will have no trouble adopting similar front running tactics as he did in the Hobartville Stakes from barrier two.

Randwick Guineas betting at Ladbrokes.com.au has the Chris Waller trained Comin’ Through as the $4.50 favourite ahead of Hobartville Stakes winner Man From Uncle at $6, the Team Hawkes trained Inference at $6.50, Victoria Derby winner Prized Icon at $7.50 and Echo Effect and the Invincible Gem at $8.50.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.