29.08.2008, SYDNEY’S BEST MILERS ARE JOINT EPSOM FAVOURITES

Despite the unlikelihood of Racing To Win taking his place in the Epsom Handicap, Betchoice have installed the John O’Shea-trained gelding as an equal favourite with Triple Honour for Randwick’s feature mile of the spring.

Both horses head up betting at $5.50 but Racing To Win’s trainer John O’Shea has called for a “fair weight” declaring anything above 58.5kgs “he can’t win” which would most likely rule the 2006 winner out of the race.

“I want to run him, but they’ve got to give him a fair weight,” O’Shea said after Racing To Win won the Warwick Stakes last Saturday.

“It’s got to be relevant to what he won the race with, how he won it and what he’s done since.

“He’s not Super Impose – so he shouldn’t be given Super Impose’s weight.”

But Racing NSW handicapper Greg Pearson has declared that the grey would be asked to carry a minimum of 60 kgs saying “Racing To Win will get a weight starting with a ‘six’, I can guarantee that”.

The Epsom still remains in the sights of the Chris Waller-trained Triple Honour who returned in fine style winning the Premiere Stakes at Rosehill 12 days ago.

Waller is yet to finalise Triple Honour’s entire spring campaign with the Racing NSW handicapper sure to play a role in the Rosehill trainer’s final decision.

“I’d like to think the Epsom [will be a target] but every race we win makes it harder with the handicapper,” Waller said after the Premiere Stakes.

“The Cox Plate is still in the back of our minds but to have a crack at a race like that you’d probably have to miss the Epsom and have a run down there the Melbourne way of going.”

The weights for the Epsom will be released on September 15.

 Clinton Payne

Racenet.com.au

29.08.2008, EYES ON THE PRIZE

TRAINER Chris Waller has confirmed outstanding Triple Honour will barrier trial without blinkers today in preparation for next week’s Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick.

Waller has made the decision to remove the blinkers from his stable star after he showed an inclination to run in under pressure when scoring a brilliant first-up win in the Premiere Stakes two weeks ago.

“The blinkers are coming off and we will see how he goes in the trial without them,” Waller said.

Doncaster Handicap hero Triple Honour is scheduled to contest a 1200m heat at Warwick Farm. His opponents include stablemates Bellagio Wynn and Enzedex Eagle.

Waller said Triple Honour needs the hit-out to ensure he is tuned up for the Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick next Saturday. He also revealed Triple Honour will then contest either the Group One George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 27 or the Group One Epsom Handicap over the same course and distance a week later.

“He won’t run in both races,” Waller explained.

“The weight he gets in the Epsom isn’t necessarily the determining factor as to which race we target. It is mainly about timing and doing what is right with the horse.”

Sydney race fans are hopeful Triple Honour and superstar Racing To Win clash at some point this spring. The likely race seems the George Main Stakes at weight-for-age although it would be a major boost for the Randwick spring carnival if they clashed in the Epsom.

TAB’s fixed odds arm released their first Epsom Handicap betting markets this week with Racing To Win favourite at $4.50 just shading Triple Honour at $5.

Waller has had a huge week, winning three races at the AJC’s Newcastle meeting on Tuesday and backing up with a double at Canterbury the following day.

With 10 wins already for the season, Waller is only one behind Gai Waterhouse in the Sydney trainers premiership – but he is not entertaining thoughts of winning the title.

“I wouldn’t think so,” Waller replied when asked if he could win his first trainers premiership.

“I’d be happy if we came third again and finished with about the same prizemoney ($3.5 million) as we won last season.

“I’m not one to set specific goals for the stable, anyway. We have had a good start to the season, I just hope we can maintain the momentum.”

Waller has five entries for the Rosehill Gardens meeting tomorrow – promising Bright Mind (IGA Handicap), Stacked and Tucson (Dry-It Handicap), Humma (The Nova Achiever Handicap) and Hurrah (Premier’s Cup).

“We have got some competitive chances,” Waller said. “I just want to get them to the races as fit as I can and hope for luck on the day.”

FORENSICS, the only horse to complete the Golden Slipper-Golden Rose double, moves closer to a race comeback when she barrier trials at Warwick Farm today.

Trainer Peter Snowden’s glamour mare has been entered for an 800m heat, her first public hit-out since failing on the wet track behind Triple Honour in the Doncaster last April.

By Ray Thomas