Tim Clark knows all eyes will be on rival and Golden Slipper favourite Warwoven in the Skyline Stakes, but if there is a chink in that colt’s armour, he is hoping Knightsbridge is the horse seasoned enough to expose it.
Unbeaten in two starts, Warwoven was a controversial scratching from the Magic Millions Classic (1200m) at the behest of Queensland Racing veterinarians, who deemed the Bjorn Baker youngster was lame.
Saturday’s Golden Slipper lead-up will be Warwoven’s first public appearance since early January, while Knightsbridge steps out for the first time since finishing fifth in the Gold Coast feature.
The Queensland venture was the latter’s second trip interstate after he made his debut at Flemington in the spring, and with a Randwick victory sandwiched in between, Clark can make a case for the well-travelled colt making himself a sticking point in the Skyline Stakes.
“The two-year-olds seem to be taking it in turns and are fairly even,” Clark said.
“Bjorn’s colt (Warwoven) has put down a couple of good performances, so I suspect all eyes are going to be on him on Saturday to see how he returns.
“Knightsbridge, he’s been well seasoned. He has travelled to Melbourne, he has travelled to the Gold Coast. He’s the sort of horse where nothing phases him. He’s a really sensible colt and he’s going to handle anything thrown at him.
“Those attributes, along with the good talent he has, is going to take him a fair way.”
Interestingly, Saturday will be Clark’s first race ride on Knightsbridge, although he tested him at the official two-year-old trials in September and has been a regular aboard him at trackwork.
He will also partner the colt’s Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained stablemate, By Choice, in the Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m).
The filly returns to Sydney after finishing third in the Magic Millions and Clark has plenty of time for her.
“She trialled beautifully at Rosehill the other morning and she’s a very straightforward filly who just wants to please you,” he said.
“She is honest, will give her all and she will give them something to catch.”
