Appearance has had the wood on her Sydney weight-for-age rivals this campaign but It’s A Dundeel adds a new element to the Chipping Norton Stakes.
The Guy Walter-trained Appearance has notched a Group Two double at her past two starts in the Expressway Stakes (1200m) and Apollo Stakes (1400m).
Walter believes she is in the best form of her career and ready to step up to 1600 metres on Saturday at Warwick Farm and claim her fourth Group One victory.
“She is really good. She has been problem-free this campaign and remains so,” Walter said.
Sheikh Mohammed’s retained rider Kerrin McEvoy will be back on Appearance, replacing Blake Shinn who has ridden her this preparation.
Shinn rode Appearance to win last year’s Coolmore Classic while McEvoy was on top for her Queen Of The Turf victory.
It’s A Dundeel’s trainer Murray Baker is equally confident about last year’s three-year-old Sydney triple crown winner who showed his readiness with a two length barrier trial win last Monday.
“He had a jump-out in New Zealand before he came here and he is fit,” Baker said.
Chris Waller could have three runners in the Chipping Norton as he attempts to win the race for the fourth consecutive year after victories by the now retired pair Shoot Out (2013, 2012) and Danleigh (2011).
Moriarty, Hawkspur and Boban will be entered with Waller hoping Boban can get back on track.
Boban won five races straight in the spring, culminating in the Group One Emirates Stakes, all with Glyn Schofield aboard.
With Schofield suspended for the Expressway and Apollo, Nash Rawiller filled in but Boban has been unplaced both times.
Rawiller has admitted he and Boban haven’t had the happiest of associations and with Schofield back for the Chipping Norton, Waller hopes he can find the key.
“Glyn has an affinity with Boban,” Waller said.
“Saturday will tell us how we are going with him.
“He is well. He has no problems so hopefully he can get back to his best.”
