Salsonic’s outside barrier for the Inglis Guineas at Scone has taken a little of the gloss off a confidence-boosting third in the Hawkesbury Guineas.
Trainer Jason Coyle admits the draw is a concern in Saturday’s $400,000 Inglis Guineas over 1400 metres.
“The barrier is not ideal. He’s probably going to be seeing most of the field,” Coyle said.
“But his run in the Hawkesbury Guineas was good against that level of horse and he’s done well since.”
Salsonic was beaten less than half a length in the Group Three Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m) on April 29 behind Shazee Lee and Prompt Response who is one of the favourites for Saturday’s Group Three Dark Jewel Classic at the Scone meeting.
Kathy O’Hara rides Salsonic in the Guineas in which he is a $13 chance with Victoria Derby winner Prized Icon heading Sportsbet’s market at $3.80.
O’Hara will also be aboard stablemate All In The Reflexs in the Group Three Dark Jewel Classic (1400m).
Both All In The Reflexs and Slightly Sweet, to be ridden by Jess Taylor, are outsiders in the field but Coyle has taken heart from the fact O’Hara, one of his stable regulars, chose All In The Reflexs.
“Kathy chose which one to ride so hopefully she is right,” he said.
“Slightly Sweet has got the blinkers back on so I’m hoping that might spark her up and she can be ridden a little closer.
“She has run some nice races but is still getting beaten so this could well be her last preparation before she goes to stud.”
Both mares are owned by the Esplin family with Slightly Sweet a dual Group Three winner in the autumn of 2015.
All In The Reflexs’ has won three races – one each for for three different trainers – Peter Moody, Mick Price and Coyle.
O’Hara will also ride Kawaikini in the Denise’s Joy Quality while Rachel Murray will be aboard Sweet Serendipity in the Luskin Star Stakes (1300m) after O’Hara steered him to victory in the Listed Ascot Quality (1200m) at Doomben on April 22.
Sweet Serendipity is backing up from an unplaced run at Rosehill last Saturday when he carried 61kg.
“He drops eight kilos but this race will be a tester,” Coyel said.
“It will tell us if he is just a 1200 metre horse.”
