3 minute read

A look at some of the other angles from Coolmore Classic day.

Wymark impresses again in Rosehill win

Wymark has stamped himself as a three-year-old stayer on the rise with another convincing victory, this time at Rosehill.

The gelding pieced together two straight wins at Newcastle before taking another step up in Saturday's Quayclean Handicap (1900m), winning by 2-3/4-lengths over Decadent Tale to set up a crack at at least one of the upcoming staying features for his age group.

Wymark is not nominated for the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) on April 6, but trainer Michael Freedman has confirmed a late entry will be considered depending on how the gelding performs at his next start.

Freedman indicated the Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill in two weeks was the likely next target for Wymark, but after a post-race discussion with jockey Tommy Berry a start in next Saturday's Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) has not been completely shelved.

"I just said to Tommy then, let's see how he pulls up," Freedman said.

"I wouldn't completely rule it out because he's going to have to back up either next week or into the Derby off the Tulloch.

"I'll probably just see how he gets over today first and have a think about it."

Freedman said he initially considered Wymark more of a "miler-type" but the gelding has relished stepping up further in distance this campaign. 

"He's caught me a little by surprise how he's kept improving the longer his races have got," he said.

Clark plays it Straight ahead of Slipper

Tim Clark helped to secure Victorian youngster Dublin Down a start in the Golden Slipper, but he hoped the winner of this year's renewal wasn't at Rosehill on Saturday.

Clark partnered the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Dublin Down to a surprise victory in the Pago Pago Stakes (1200m), the performance securing the colt a Slipper start if connections choose to back him up.

However, he will need a new jockey with Clark having a long-term commitment to ride the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Straight Charge in the $5 million feature.

While impressed by Dublin Down's performance, Clark wasn't keen to see the youngster repeat the dose next weekend.

"He's put his hand up today and said that he's in good form," Clark said.

"But hopefully the Slipper winner is at home in his box, the box next to Storm Boy. That's where Straight Charge is, so hopefully that's where the Slipper is going back to next week."

The Hong Kong-based Hugh Bowman is believed to be on standby to ride Dublin Down if he takes his place in the Golden Slipper.

Lindermann claims first win in 12 months

Rosehill Guineas winner Lindermann has snapped a winning drought in convincing fashion and champion trainer Chris Waller will give consideration to backing up the gelding next weekend in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes.

However, Waller indicated he was leaning to instead waiting another three weeks and running Lindermann next in the $4 million Doncaster Mile on April 6 at Randwick.

"We're pretty well represented in the Ranvet and I've got to give respect to what the owners want, of course, so I'll have a chat to them and see what they want to do," Waller said.

"But either way, he's going to be hard to beat wherever he goes."

Off the back of two encouraging runs in top company this campaign, Lindermann was sent out the $1.90 favourite in Saturday's Group 3 Sky High Stakes and turned the 2000m-race into a one-act affair to win by 4-1/4-lengths.

It was Lindermann's first win since the Rosehill Guineas a year ago.

"The writing has been on the wall, as we say," Waller said.

"His two lead-up runs have been in the best company and no disrespect to the horses today, but it was a step down and he's beaten them convincingly. So that was good."

Cummings yet to play his next Card

James Cummings hasn't ruled out backing up Maurice McCarten Stakes winner Red Card in the Group 1 The Galaxy but says the Sapphire Stakes during The Championships is a more likely option.

Red Card took her career tally to eight wins from 16 starts with another sustained display of speed, Cummings praising his team for their work in teaching the four-year-old to harness her brilliance.

He is also being guided by their counsel, admitting if it was up to him alone, she wouldn't have run at Rosehill on Saturday.

"I was very close to scratching the horse and I had a pretty strong preference to run this horse next week (in The Galaxy)," Cummings said.

"But you listen to your team, and my assistant trainer at the farm was bullish about running today and (form expert) Dominic (Beirne) was quick to remind me that she wouldn't be that well handicapped next week."

Despite that reminder, Cummings hasn't completely ruled out running Red Card two weeks in a row, although he says the conditions of the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes (1200m) make more sense.

"I love the fact I've got four weeks to the Sapphire (Stakes)," he said.

"It's set weights and penalties and she will be beautifully weighted there and should be a legitimate contender for us during the carnival, provided we don't have a last-minute thought to throw her into the 'noms' for The Galaxy.

"But I think the Sapphire is the right race for her."

Aft Cabin will be Godolphin's top seed in The Galaxy (1100m) and is a $6 second favourite in pre-nomination markets.

Quote of the Day: "Extremely frustrating. If she draws a barrier, she wins, simple as that. She's a very good filly, she had to do it the hard way. Just annoying to get a barrier like that on a big day." – Apprentice Zac Lloyd after Kimochi finished a narrow third in the Coolmore Classic from a wide draw.