A paddock accident dashed hopes of an Oaks bid but trainer Mark Newnham is banking on stoutly bred filly Allinthistogether making up for lost time.
By Melbourne Cup winner Shocking out of a High Chaparral mare, the filly has shown the stable good ability from the outset but did not make it to the track until the classic season races had already been run and won.
“I was very hopeful she would be an Oaks filly early on but she had a paddock accident which has held her back,” Newnham said.
“It’s unfortunate she’s missed nearly all her three-year-old year but she is up and going now, which is important, and we’ve got to make the best of what we’ve got.”
Allinthistogether made her debut with a close fourth to Zariya in what has proven to be a handy form race at Canterbury, before breaking her maiden with a heavy track victory over 1600m at Gosford.
She rises to Saturday grade in the Ranvet Handicap (1500m) at Randwick and while a distance drop is not a perfect recipe, she has the advantage of a light weight and proven wet track credentials.
“It’s probably not ideal coming back in distance but we’re against three-year-olds only, she has shown she can handle wet ground and she only has 52 on her back, so she’s got a few positives there,” Newnham said.
The trainer will saddle up another emerging galloper in two-year-old Dragonstone, who lines up in the Acy Securities Handicap (1100m) after following a debut placing with an impressive midweek victory at Warwick Farm where he camped wide and still unleashed a turn of foot to win.
Newnham believes he will continue to improve with time and racing but doesn’t discount his chances this weekend.
“His first start he came off just one trial and probably peaked on his run. He showed the benefit of that second time out and he’s got through wet ground well which, judging by the weather forecast, he’ll need to on Saturday,” Newnham said.
“He’s quite talented and he has always shown above-average ability but he’s been a little bit behind in his physical make up. He will come along quite a bit into his three-year-old year.”
Dragonstone is on the second line of betting at $4.40 behind impressive trial performer Sir Crackle ($3.90), while Allinthistogether is a $5 chance for her assignment.
