Racing To Win 復出險勝
The script was written for the return to racing at Warwick Farm and headline act Racing To Win played his part perfectly with victory in the feature race of the day.
Sydney's pin-up horse was favourite with punters for the Group Two Warwick Stakes (1400m) and also with those who were just looking on and didn't disappoint, beating Gallant Tess by a short neck.
The meeting was the first held at Warwick Farm for almost 12 months after equine influenza shut down Sydney racing last spring.
Renovation work was undertaken during the autumn to allow Warwick Farm to accommodate an extra 700 horses while Randwick was out of play due to World Youth Day preparations.
Trainer John O'Shea admitted there was always pressure when a horse like Racing To Win stepped out and was relieved to see him get to the line first, especially when Gallant Tess gave him a fight.
"It is a relief, it always is with a horse like him who starts odds-on," O'Shea said.
"I don't enjoy it when they are expected to win like he is all the time.
"And being first-up over 1400 metres on a slow track is not ideal.
"His condition gave out in the last couple of hundred metres and his heart got him home.
"I was a bit worried when the mare got along the inside because there is no-one better in a finish than Jeff Lloyd."
Hugh Bowman had Racing To Win ($1.55 fav) midfield with O'Crikey and Hadaaf sharing the lead.
Valedictum made a move nearing the home turn with Bowman tracking wide on the favourite who quickly put paid to most of his rivals bar Gallant Tess ($7) who gained a rails run.
He gained the ascendancy late with Danzippo ($31) leading the rest home, 4-1/4 lengths from the runner-up.
The next outing for Racing To Win is likely to be the Group Two Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) on September 13, two weeks before the Group One George Main Stakes.
A start in the Epsom Handicap a week later will depend on what weight Racing To Win receives.
"I'll put him in the Theo Marks because there the handicapper can't give him more than 61 kilos," O'Shea said.
"But as for the Epsom, that decision rests with the handicapper.
"I want to run him but I won't if he is given a weight that means he can't win.
"Anything above 58-1/2 kilos, he can't win."
Gallant Tess will be aimed at mares races with the Group One Myer Classic (1600m) at Flemington on Derby day her mission.
"I'm very happy," trainer David Payne said.
"If today had been a handicap it might have been a different story but she has run the best weight-for-age horse in Sydney to a short neck.
"That's a big effort."
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