We will show a potential Derby hand in full over the next week, with 3 classy three-year-old’s stepping out this Saturday in important lead-up races.
Across the Tasman at Ellerslie, Golden Century and Skippers Canyon will represent a strong hand in the Group 2 Avondale Guineas for trainers Tony Pike and Jim Wallace respectively. Golden Century has been a model of consistency throughout his preparation and, while yet to break through, has proven himself most capable at the level. A clear excuse was found last start, so we feel with an ounce of luck heading back to a suitable circuit will again see him in the finish.
Skippers Canyon lost no admirers when flashing home late on his OTI debut in January against the older horses. Still last with 300m to go, his closing sectionals were excellent and bode well for a horse with Derby aspirations. Australian-based jockey John Allen is heading over to ride in Saturday’s event and the G1 New Zealand Derby two weeks’ later.
Closer to home, Emphasize will contest the Group 2 Autumn Classic for Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young. A tough winner at his most recent start against older horses, Emphasize returns to his age group on Saturday with strong claims, despite the minor drop in distance. His performance here will dictate the next steps of his autumn campaign; however, a strong performance would almost guarantee that focus becomes the G1 Australian Derby in April.
Emphasize wins at Caulfield last start.
While the three-year-old’s take centre stage early in the day, the return of one of our Sydney Cup contenders may be the ace up our sleeve from a future perspective.
Scratched from the 2024 Melbourne Cup at the 11th hour by stewards, Athabascan has prepared well for his return in the Group 3 Parramatta Cup over 1900m through two trials at Randwick and Warwick Farm. Following Saturday’s return, his preparation towards the G1 Sydney Cup on April 12 is expected to also encompass runs in the G3 Sky High Stakes (Mar 15) and G1 Tancred Stakes (Mar 29). The hope is that he can go one better this year!
With Step Aside, West of Africa and our recent addition Twisted Love also contesting support races on Saturday, we appear flush with opportunity.