Patinack Farm will match Darley for numbers in a bid to thwart the rival breeding and racing operation’s bid for the Sydney two-year-old triple crown.
Darley is on the verge of triple crown glory after Sepoy took out the Golden Slipper and Helmet won the Sires’ Produce.
With Sepoy in the spelling paddock, Helmet again fronts Darley’s nominations for the $400,000 Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Stablemate Disputes, who finished fifth behind Helmet in the Sires, is also entered.
But Patinack Farm believes it has the firepower to figure in a race which has special significance for mining magnate Nathan Tinkler’s thoroughbred operation.
He won the race in 2009 when one of his first yearling purchases, Onemorenomore, caused an upset and his racing team is confident Boys On Tour and Pane In The Glass will be at their autumn peak for Saturday.
“Everything is in order for them to run well on Saturday,” Patinack Farm racing manager Robyn Harney said.
Pane In The Glass was the first Patinack horse home in the Sires when she ran on from the back to finish third.
“Her finishing sectional was fantastic,” Hartney said.
“The tempo of the race was too slow but the way she ran home it makes you think the mile will suit her to a tee.”
Hartney has already flagged different riding tactics for Boys On Tour who finished on heels when 10th of 11th in the Sires.
“It is a case of forgetting he went around in the Sires,” she said.
“We’ll be looking to ride him a lot more positively on Saturday.”
Jim Cassidy goes onto Boys On Tour for the first time while Jim Byrne continues his association with Pane In The Glass.
There were 12 entries for the Champagne with nominations for the Group One race extended until Tuesday.
Sires runner-up Uate was among the dozen, along with Salade, a scratching from the Fernhill Handicap on Saturday.
Patinack trainer John Thompson will decide closer to acceptance time if promising staying mare Galizani will back up on Saturday.
Galizani is entered for the Sydney Cup and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes after finishing second to Hawk Island in the JRA Plate.
“Our first thoughts were to take her to Brisbane straight away but John now wants to see how she pulls up,” Hartney said.
“A decision doesn’t have to made until Wednesday.”
AAP TURF
