On Saturday Cranbourne horseman Mick Kent will saddle up one of the roughie chances in the Randwick Guineas 2013 with High Shot who is looking to improve on their recent form ahead of a possible shot at the $1.5 million Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Royal Randwick on April 13.
The High Chaparral colt is currently rated a $51 outsider in the bookmaker.com.au markets for the $500,000 Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) which runs at Warwick Farm this year as Race 6 at 4:10pm (AEST).
A winner on debut at their home track back in October High Shot has had two runs this time in finishing well back in both.
First-up they were sixth to Mulaazem in the Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) after hitting their head in the tie-up stall before finishing five and a half lengths off upset winner Ferlax, who they face again in the Randwick Guineas, in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 2.
While aware the mile is too short for High Shot Kent is hoping to see improvement from them in Sydney on the weekend, a good performance in which will see them press onto the 2013 Australian Derby next month where they are expected to be more competitive getting up in distance.
“It’s (the Randwick Guineas is) just too short for him but I’m very keen to get him on the Derby path so it’s the right option,” Kent said.
There is still a chance that Kent will withdraw High Shot from the Randwick Guineas field and save them for a Caulfield race Saturday week before tackling the $175,000 Group 2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) on Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill ahead of the Derby.
“We haven’t made our mind up if we are going there for sure or run at Caulfield next Saturday and go up for the Tulloch Stakes and into the Derby,” he said.
“There are very few lead-ups to the Derby for him.
“It’s just more experience for him. He’s pretty raw and hopefully there is some soft ground up there, which is what I was hoping for.
“I’m definitely wanting a bit of give in the ground because the tracks have been like a road down here”.
Randwick Guineas 2013 betting markets meanwhile are led by Rebel Dane who is the firming $2.80 favourite after drawing gate one, and the horse they beat home when finishing two-three behind Pierro in the Hobartville – Proisir ($3.40).
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