Wednesday, 14 March 2012:
Anthony Cummings is bullish about the prospects of Strike The Stars turning the tables on last-start conqueror Mosheen when they clash in Saturday's Randwick Guineas.
Mosheen had the measure of Strike The Stars in the Australian Guineas earlier this month when the pair ran one-two.
Both turned in outstanding runs, Mosheen bouncing back from her shock defeat in The Vanity to overcome the outside barrier and win while Strike The Stars rattled home from near the tail.
Cummings is adamant his charge will improve considerably fitness-wise for Saturday but has questioned whether Mosheen has the same scope.
"She was third-up (in the Australian Guineas) and she'd run out of condition at her previous start," Cummings said.
"They'd been quite firm with her on the track to get her up to the mark for that race.
"You
wonder, off that routine, how much improvement she might have back at a mile (1600m) again, whereas, undoubtedly we will improve given the routine we had going into it."
Strike The Stars jumped to the 1600m of the Australian Guineas off the back of a first-up fifth to Rain Affair in the Expressway Stakes (1200m).
He got a long way back from a wide draw but with a better gate in seven on Saturday, Cummings anticipates him settling closer.
"It just means he is going to get a fair bit kinder run in the first part than he got last time," Cummings said.
"He's not going to have to give the start away that he gave last time."
Danny Nikolic was widely acclaimed for his navigational skills aboard Mosheen last start and he will need to call on them again at Randwick.
The only filly in the race, Mosheen has drawn barrier 14 of 17.
Manawanui has been installed favourite with TAB Sportsbet at $2.80 despite an awkward alley in 11 with Mosheen second pick at $4 and Strike The Stars on the fifth line of betting at $13.
Hugh Bowman partnered Strike The Stars to his biggest win in the Group Three Gloaming Stakes last spring and will reunite with the gelding.
Meanwhile, the Australian Turf Club will release another 800 tickets for Randwick Guineas day at midday (AEDT) on Thursday.
The track has a limited capacity for public spectators this year due to the $150 million redevelopment of the course, meaning there will be no walk-up entry on race day.
Overwhelming demand from the public has prompted the ATC to open an additional area to spectators, enabling them to release the extra tickets which are expected to sell out without 24 hours.
With a members' capacity of around 6,500, the ATC is expecting a crowd of 10,000 for the Guineas.
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