Pampelonne’s Gosford Guineas-winning rider James McDonald will turn rival at Scone on Saturday when the star New Zealand hoop partners Colorado Claire in the $500,000 Inglis Guineas.
The Tim Martin-trained Pampelonne raced to an impressive win in the Listed Gosford Guineas last month with McDonald aboard and shades the John O’Shea-prepared Colorado Claire for favouritism for the 1400m Scone feature.
McDonald has a healthy respect for Pampelonne but hopes to get the better of him with Colorado Claire who he won the Group Two Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) on eight weeks ago.
“He (Pampelonne) is a very good horse. It’s going to be a good battle. I think there’s not much between them,” McDonald said.
“She (Colorado Claire) is coming on really well and she should be competitive in that field you would think. It’s an even bunch of horses but she’s up there with a good chance.”
Pampelonne has remained at $2.50 with TAB Sportsbet since its market opened on Wednesday while Colorado Claire has stayed at $3.40.
Upbeat is the only other runner under double figures at $9.50.
O’Shea says there is not much between the promising Colorado Claire and last week’s Group One BTC Cup-winning stablemate Sea Siren.
“You only had to watch their trial the other day to say that’s the case,” O’Shea said.
Colorado Claire tuned up for her Scone assignment with a second in a 1050m trial at Randwick on April 27 with Sea Siren a long neck behind.
The daughter of Hussonet is unbeaten from two attempts first-up so O’Shea elected to go into Saturday’s race without a start since the Phar Lap on March 24.
“Her preparation has been excellent, capped off with some strong work during the week,” O’Shea said.
“She’s a fit racehorse with a wonderful record first-up so there’s plenty of things to say she will run well.”
O’Shea and McDonald will also combine with Miss Marx in the Listed Dark Jewel Classic (1400m).
The mare was fifth in the Listed Darley Crown (1300m) at Hawkesbury last start, won by fellow Dark Jewel entry More Strawberries.
“She was a tad unlucky the other day and I think she can nearly turn the tables,” O’Shea said.
“The bigger track will suit her and so will 1400 metres.”
