Colin Webster is concerned by Trix Of The Trade’s wide gate in Saturday’s Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes (1400m), with the exciting four-year-old drawing barrier 18.
The experienced Ascot trainer says Trix Of The Trade will need to replicate last fortnight’s run when from a wide draw he had to be snagged back to near last by jockey, Troy Turner.
First up with 61kg and following an outstanding three-year-old campaign, Trix Of The Trade proved a cut above his rivals, sprinting away in the straight to win with authority.
Undefeated in two second up attempts and three from three at 1400m, Trix Of The Trade drops to 54kg in the Asian Beau Stakes. He’s currently rated a $5.50 chance with Tabtouch.
Colin Webster hopes a significant weight drop can help offset Trix Of The Trade’s wide starting gate.
“The barrier is disappointing and he’ll have to come from well back,” Webster told The Races WA.
“He doesn’t have early speed so there’s no point crossing.
“How far he goes back will define how he goes in a cracker jack field.
“But he’s absolutely fantastic and pulled up a treat from his first up run.
“He’s drawn wide but will appreciate carrying 54kg, they will help a lot.
“He’s a very good horse.”
Trix Of The Trade underlined his class as a three-year-old when he won four consecutive races, three at Listed level: the Breeders Classic (1400m), Challenge Stakes (1500m) and Lex Piper Stakes (1500m).
He then ran two seconds in the JC Roberts Stakes (1800m) and Melvista Stakes (2200m) before reaching the end of a long campaign finishing 11th in the WA Derby (2400m).
“The Derby is the only time he has run a poor race and he probably had enough by then,” Webster said.
“If he does well on Saturday and qualifies he will go straight to the Railway Stakes (1600m).
“If he needs rating points he’ll go to the Peters, but that is not my preferred option.”
The R.J.Peters Stakes (1500m) is a week before the Railway Stakes.
With the scratchings of the emergencies Trix Of The Trade will jump from barrier 16 in the Asian Beau Stakes.
Meanwhile classy sprinter Baby Paris can set a winning trend for Webster earlier on the Ascot card when she tackles the Tabtouch-Placid Ark Prelude (1000m).
The Playing God filly created a big impression as a juvenile with her only loss a second to Amelia’s Jewel in last April’s Karrakatta Plate (1200m).
Baby Paris continued her upward spiral as a three-year-old by winning consecutive races at Belmont in August before going for a short break.
A sharp 400m Belmont trial has Baby Paris on target for her first-up assault
“She’s a lovely filly and I expect her to go well,” Webster said.
“To finish second to Amelia’s Jewel is not a bad record to have.
“With her high rating she is going to be suited at set weights and penalties.”
Baby Paris is the $2.60 second favourite behind All Show $1.85 with Tabtouch.
With the scratching of My Bella Mae, the Placid Ark prelude has been reduced to five starters.
Baby Paris jumps from barrier five with Peter Knuckey to ride.
