Written on Friday, 06 May 2011 10:13
(Andrew Bensley is a senior commentator with Sky Racing and Sky Sports Radio.)
In the approach to the Prime Minister's Cup Day at the Gold Coast, many trainers are monitoring the weather and track conditions.
As has been well documented there has been an enormous amount of rain in south-east Queensland since New Year's Day.
I'm looking forward to watching the promising Ready to Rip again in the Gold Coast Guineas.
Trainer Andrew Williamson told me the three-year-old pulled up with some general muscle soreness after his surprise first-up win.
However, since responding to treatment, Ready to Rip galloped on Tuesday and indicated he was sound again.
Williamson says the 1200 metres second-up was perfect.
*****
WITH Damian Browne staying on Ready to Rip, leading Brisbane jockey Larry Cassidy is back on Excellantes in the Guineas.
While the horse performed very well last start, it was felt the horse stargazed over the final stages of the race.
For that reason, blinkers will go on Excellantes on Saturday. Cassidy reported the horse's work with the gear change had sharpened him up.
Among the other key Larry Cassidy rides at the Gold Coast are Hidden Kisses in the Bracelet and Our Lukas in the Hollindale Stakes.
Our Lukas was scratched last weekend due to the state of the track but the weight-for-age conditions of the Hollindale bring him right into play.
*****
TRAINER Mick Price purposefully has planned the trip to Queensland with Heart Of Dreams and Rightfully Yours.
The pair had their serious gallops last Saturday in Sydney before floating to the Gold Coast.
Price was rapt with the way Heart Of Dreams kept coming in the All Aged Stakes and feels 1800 metres is the right distance.
Rightfully Yours went very close in the 2009 Prime Minister's Cup and Mick Price has given the six-year-old exactly the same preparation winning a barrier trial nearly three weeks ago.
*****
FELLOW Melbourne trainer Mike Moroney was pleasantly surprised when his new international galloper Glass Harmonium won a trial last week at Hawkesbury.
The surprise trial win was over 1000 metres but it showed Moroney that Glass Harmonium is in good shape following a trip ‘down under' and a stint of quarantine. The new Australian owners bought the grey horse to hopefully win a Melbourne Cup and Moroney feels one or two runs and a Queensland spell will have them well placed.
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NOW to Super Sunday at Morphettville, and Hong Kong-based jockey, Zac Purton, will fly in this weekend to ride in Adelaide.
Trainer Gary Kennewell contacted Purton to ride Conservatorium, who has just 52.5 kilograms in the Goodwood.
Since the conditions of the Goodwood have changed from a handicap to a set weights and penalty race, the records for three-year-olds haven't been particularly positive but Kennewell feels Conservatorium has what it takes.
*****
TRAINER Tony Noonan is chasing that elusive Group One success with Ortensia and Sunday might just be her day.
The mare, on paper, looks to be well treated in the Goodwood with just 54.5 kilograms, considering the quality of races she's been contesting. Ortensia is just a kilo above Goodwood favourite Crystal Lily.
One thing that Ortensia will require is pace so she can produce a withering finale.
*****
DON'T ever think there's no prizemoney in harness racing. For the next two Friday nights at Tabcorp Park Melton, $1.3million in prizemoney will be distributed to owners.
Tonight (Friday), the Australian Pacing Gold Final for the two-year-olds takes centre stage.
Fly Like an Eagle would be the horse to beat but has to overcome a back row draw. NSW-trained Gamechanger is also right in the race having drawn perfectly in the 1720 metre dash.
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Ready to Rip set for Guineas gold

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