A tilt at black type racing can wait for the promising Testarhythm with trainer Darren Smith to keep him away from the big guns for now.
Smith will resist the temptation to run the three-year-old in Saturday’s Listed Winter Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill and keep him to a benchmark 80 on the program against his own age.
“I thought it would be a bit hard for him so he’ll keep to his own age on Saturday,” Smith said.
“He’s fine in himself and I’m sure he will go well again.”
Testarhythm has won his past two starts at Rosehill to take his record to three wins from seven starts.
There were 14 entries for the final stakes race of the Sydney season including veteran Sniper’s Bullet and 2009 Winter Stakes winner Strat’s Flyer.
The Chris Waller stable has nominated Altered Boy, Bellagio Wynn and Gigino while Equable and Break Card will represent fellow Rosehill trainer Gerald Ryan.
Equable is returning from a four-start Queensland campaign which netted a win at the Gold Coast second-up over 1200 metres.
His two most recent outings have yielded a close fifth in the Listed Strawberry Road (1600m) on June 11 and eighth, beaten 4-1/4 lengths in the Tattersalls Club Mile two weeks later.
“He drew off the track last time so it was a good run,” Ryan said.
“In fact both his past two have been nice and I think he can go well.”
The six-year-old has won eight of his 42 starts and boasts victories in the three eastern states.
Warwick Farm trainer Joe Pride doesn’t have a Winter Stakes runner but is looking forward to seeing Phenomenal Lass make her debut for the stable in the benchmark 90 over 1100 metres.
The winner of five of her 20 starts for south coast trainer Paul Murray, Phenomenal Lass has had two barrier trials for Pride, the most recent when third to new stablemate Neeson last week.
“She is having her first start for me and she trialled nicely last Tuesday,” Pride said.
“I got her out of the blue and she came to me in great order from Paul Murray.
“She is a nice mare and she is exposed for what she is.
“As long as it’s not wet she will be there but she really hates soft ground.”
Pride has also entered Dizlago for the benchmark 75 hoping for a change of fortune.
Dizlago had to be scratched on Saturday when Josh Parr was unable to ride and a suitable jockey could not be found.
Stewards refused Pride’s request for Brad Pengelly to ride the three-year-old two kilograms overweight.
Brazilian Diego Lima was ruled out because his visa restricts him to riding for John McNair.
AAP TURF
