3 minute read

The popular Randwick trainer partnership of Pat and Wayne Webster return to one of their favourite tracks Wyong this afternoon with honest gelding Anubas.

Runners for the training duo are showing a level stakes profit, in excess of 10%, at Wyong and Anubas looks ideally placed in the final race over 1350m, a benchmark 65 handicap to build on that record.

Despite being a six-year-old, Anubas has been sparingly raced winning three of his 15 race starts to date and comes into this afternoon's race on an upward ratings spiral.

On weight adjusted Timeform ratings, Anubas is the highest rated runner in the race and from barrier three looks set to get the perfect run in what promises to be a capacity field around the tight 1350m scamper.

Anubas has raced twice since a spell, both times at Kembla Grange improving his rating on each occasion. He resumed with an authoritative victory in class 2 company over 1200m in heavy ground, racing clear with something in hand after making a strong wide run in the home straight.

Then second up jumping to 1400m in benchmark 62 company he tracked the speed before launching late just failing to catch the leaders in the closing stages beaten less than a length into third place.

The subsequent form from the race has been sound and I can see this fellow getting a lot of favours under young Sam Clipperton who was also aboard the gelding last time out.

In another significant sign, the Websters have elected to fit Anubas with blinkers this afternoon, a move that is sure to make the useful gelding much sharper late.

Anubas looks an excellent each way chance in a very open race.

The main dangers, and there are a few, look to be Full Blast, Escoffier and Rebel Prince.

The lightly raced Full Blast has been in outstanding form of late winning at his past two runs in impressive fashion.

Two back when second up from a spell he emerged from maiden class with a narrow victory at Newcastle over 1200m in what has subsequently proved to be a very strong race producing three subsequent winners.

Then last start he handled the class rise to class 1 company in even better fashion winning with more authority racing clear to beat subsequent Canterbury winner Core Purpose.

He goes for a hat trick today and would have been top selection but for the poor barrier draw of 16.

Nash Rawiller who rode Full Blast last start is not riding this afternoon and star apprentice Chad Schofield will have the reins.

If Schofield can navigate a path to offset the barrier draw, Full Blast will take plenty of beating.

The Peter Snowden-trained Escoffier has to make further headway in his ratings to be competitive however I am expecting he can do just that.

Another drawn well in eight, Escoffier has raced just twice and is typical of the Snowden provincial class gallopers.

The Lonhro gelding who is a full brother to the talented mare Raspberries debuted with a game, albeit narrow win in maiden class at Newcastle over 1300m in late April.

He then stepped up in class, distance and weight to a benchmark 60 race at Hawkesbury and did not have a lot of luck. He missed the start, and then was forced to cover additional ground in the run. That proved all too hard for him at the business end of the race, eventually running ninth beaten four lengths.

Today Snowden has fitted winkers to the gelding and with Christian Reith in the saddle to stand over him, Escoffier can be expected to improve on that effort.

The talented Rebel Prince has paid the price for consistency this afternoon handicapped to carry 60.5 kilos, his weight will be reduced by Adam Hyeronimus's 1.5 kilo claim bringing him in with definite prospects.

A winner of two of his last three runs, Rebel Prince disappointed slightly last time out at Warwick Farm in a benchmark 70 race over 1600m, weakening from second on the turn to fourth at the judge in much stronger class than he meets today.

Somewhat of a Wyong specialist with three wins at the course, if Rebel Prince returns to his winning Timeform ratings then that would see him take a hand in the finish. Adam Hyeronimus who has been aboard the gelding at his last three runs knows him perfectly and should have him ready to challenge at the right time in the short Wyong straight.

Two gallopers worthy of consideration for the multiples are Bottled Up and Ridotto.

Bottled Up has been mixing his form of late but the engagement of leading rider Tommy Berry signals he could be about to return to form. Bottled Up would have to be right at his top to trouble this field but Berry in the saddle gives him every opportunity to do so.

The Chris Waller-trained Ridotto who resumes from a spell is better known over longer distances but his recent trial form together with Jim Cassidy taking the ride all point to a better than usual fresh up run.

It is also significant that Ridotto has been gelded since he last raced so he could be one to slip into the frame late.

Enjoy a great final race at Wyong.