Sterling Alexiou is under no illusions about the task facing Dream Side in the Reisling Stakes at Randwick, but remains adamant the filly is over the odds.
Dream Side will be part of a two-pronged Reisling Stakes (1200m) assault for the stable along with Perle De Chocolate, both fillies regarded as outsiders at $34 and $19 respectively with online betting sites.
The former has started just once, finishing a narrow second to Saturday’s rival Marhoona over 1100m at Canterbury when she dashed home along the fence from back in the field.
Third was Autumn Blonde, who franked the Friday night form with a solid fourth to Within The Law in the Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) last weekend.
Dream Side was sent out at double-figure odds for her debut but Alexiou said the daughter of Trapeze Artist didn’t surprise her trainers.
“Not at all. She had been going quite nicely at home and trialled up quite well leading into Canterbury,” Alexiou said.
“It’s a big step from Canterbury to a Reisling Stakes but she is well and truly above her odds.
“I don’t think a wet track, which is predicted, will phase her, and also the step to 1200 will be in her favour.
“She is a nice filly. She is going to be better next time around but she has given us no reason not to line up on Saturday.”
Perle De Chocolate will be having her third start following a debut fifth in the Gimcrack Stakes (1000m) in October and first-up third to Farcited in the Black Opal Preview (1000m) in Canberra.
Alexiou said she ended up on an inferior section of track last start and would appreciate a distance rise, albeit she had found herself in a competitive race.
“She has taken good improvement from that and the step up to 1200 metres will suit,” he said.
“I think you’ll see a much improved showing, but it still looks a tough race.”
Ryan and Alexiou have also accepted with debut winner King Of Pop for the Todman Stakes (1200m) at Randwick and Sunday’s Black Opal Stakes (1200m) at Canberra.
They will study the fields and weather forecast before making a final decision on which he contests but Alexiou expects a competitive showing either way.
“He has taken good improvement from his first start at Warwick Farm and he’s always been a horse who has shown ability,” Alexiou said.
“It will be good to see where he sits anyway.”
