With an inside barrier and a horse on the rise, trainer Symon Wilde is quietly confident Gold Medals can pull off back-to-back wins for the stable in the Sandown Guineas.
Wilde and his father Bill won the 2011 Group Two Sandown Guineas (1600m) with So Swift and the co-trainer says his confidence levels are the same 12 months on with Gold Medals.
“We went in last year with a lightly-raced horse that had been aimed at the back-end of the spring. We thought if he got luck in running he would be a genuine chance and that’s what we think this year,” Wilde said.
“We knew we had a horse with ability and we just needed luck and Craig Williams was able to give him a great ride last year and he just got there.
“It’s a similar confidence this time, he’ll need a lot of luck but if he happened to get it he’s a genuine chance.”
An outside barrier in Listed company last Saturday forced Gold Medals’ jockey Michael Rodd to go right back in the 1400m Flemington event before finishing strongly for third.
He has barrier one for the Guineas.
“The mile doesn’t pose a problem and the better gate is a bonus,” Wilde said.
“He’ll get a nicer run from there and he’s a horse on the up.
“I’m not saying he’s a moral or anything like that, but I think he’s a genuine player.”
Gold Medals has been a firmer at double-figure odds.
The three top picks in the market are the placegetters from the Group Three Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) two weeks ago, with Tatra a slight favourite to turn the tables on Lunar Rise.
