Leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller has a great chance to secure another early Spring Carnival Group 1 with one of his two charges Kermadec and Royal Descent who are at the top of the market for the Group 1 $500,000 Colgate Optic White George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Waller collected the winning trophy for the Group 1 $400,000 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 29 when Boban snuck up along the fence to claim his fifth Group 1 success.
Doncaster Mile winner Kermadec will line up in the George Main Stakes nearing peak condition following his two runs from a spell, his latest a solid second to Complacent in the Group 2 $250,000 Tattersalls Club Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick two weeks ago.
His last start effort prompted our bookies to open up the four year old as the $3 favourite on Wednesday when the final field was released and he has firmed slightly to $2.90 with new rider Glyn Schofield taking over form the suspended Glen Boss.
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Royal Descent is also racing in outstanding form and resumed from a break for a brilliant first up win in the Group 2 $250,000 Warwick Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on August 22 before running third behind Complacent and Kermadec in the Chelmsford Stakes.
The Redoute’s Choice mare is also solid in the betting, firming in from an opening quote of $4.80 to be the current second favourite at $4.40.
Waller will also saddle up the outsider of the ten horse field with $81 chance Moriarty.
The Kris Lees trained Lucia Valentina will also strip fitter for a first up sixth to Hooked in the Group 2 $175,000 Tattersalls Club Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on September 5 and is on the third line of betting at $6.50.
While stablemate, 2014 Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist, is unwanted in the betting an one of the outsiders at $31 following his first up thirteenth in the Tramway Stakes.
2015 Doomben Cup winner Pornichet is starting to lose supporters and after running second to Royal Descent in the Warwick Stakes, never threatened second up when sixth to Complacent in the Chelmsford Stakes and is an easing $7 chance for the George Main Stakes.
Hooked is still at the good odds of $12 following his surprise first up all the way win in the Tramway Stakes and looks the likely leader again over the tough Randwick Mile.
2013 Crown Oaks winner Kirramosa is another who went around in the Tramway Stakes and made up plenty of ground in the run to the line to be beaten a length and a half when fifth.
The John Sargent trained mare is at the healthy double figure odds of $15.
The John O’Shea stable is in great form with three year old Exosphere winning the Group 1 $1m Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill last Saturday and Sweynesse ($13) and Hauraki ($21) will carry the royal blue colours of Godolphin in this week’s weight for age Group 1.