Trainer Colin Scott has revealed his stable’s star Speediness is in prime condition ahead of this weekend’s major Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) on day 1 of the inaugural The Championships at Royal Randwick.
Trainer Colin Scott is happy with the condition of Speediness leading into the 2014 Doncaster Mile. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia
Having returned to form with an impressive second behind Irish raider Gordon Lord Byron in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) last time out, Scott told TVN he believes Speediness is in better condition than that which delivered an unlucky third behind talented miler Boban in the Group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600m) at the end of a memorable spring campaign.
“I think he’s going as well if not a touch better now than when he ran in the Emirates” Scott said.
“He gets a nice weight drop; 3.5kgs from his weight-for-age run. If he runs up to those two runs he’s going to be thereabouts.”
Having performed well on slow tracks previously, Scott said Speediness has returned to work well since his last competitive tilt and will complete a final hit-out on the Randwick course proper this morning.
“He’s been super since the Ryder, I couldn’t be happier with him” Scott said.
“He galloped on the course proper at Randwick last Saturday and the consensus was that it was genuine heavy and he got through it alright.
“You would not want it bottomless, but he is as genuine as the day is long. I’m pretty confident he would handle it.
“The worst side of Dead to Slow; I’d be a pretty happy camper.”
Producing a particularly consistent 2013 spring preparation, the talented Testa Rossa gelding won the Group 3 Bobbie Lewis (1200m) first-up before finishing just outside the places in fourth in both the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m).
Second in the Group 2 Crystal Mile (1600m) on October 26th, Speediness was at his undoubted best when unlucky to finish third in the Emirates Stakes.
Returning to the track in inconsistent form this season, Speediness’ convincing run in the George Ryder well and truly highlights his claims as a legitimate contender for the 2014 Doncaster Mile, and is currently available at particularly generous odds for the major event.
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