Latest News

By Ray Hickson

Last year’s Golden Slipper champion Estijaab reaches a crossroads, as far as jockey Brenton Avdulla is concerned, in Saturday’s Group 3 $160,000 E-Group Security Star Kingdom Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill.

But he says there are positives for Estijaab dropping in class from a weight-for-age sprint and back onto a forgiving track after the three-year-old was beaten two lengths by Ball Of Muscle and Redzel three weeks ago.

“She wasn’t beaten far the other day,’’ he said.

“Back in grade, up in distance, I think Saturday will tell us a lot more.

“At the end of the day she has had a wind problem so she’s never going to be the horse she probably could have been.

“Obviously she’s a talented filly, a Golden Slipper winner, and I’ll be interested to see how she goes.’’

Avdulla expects the filly, $4.20 second favourite with TAB, to take up her usual on pace role from a wide gate on Saturday.

In two starts on rain affected ground she’s won a Golden Slipper and run a brave second in the Inglis Sprint at her first run since winning the world’s richest two-year-old race.

Estijaab's last start in the Challenge Stakes at Randwick on March 9

All eyes will be on the Rosehill track condition, rated soft 7 on Thursday, which Avdulla sees as crucial for Estijaab’s stablemate Dyslexic’s chances in the Group 2 $200,000 Jim Beam Emancipation Stakes (1500m).

Dyslexic had her first attempt on a heavy track when a close third in the Ajax Stakes two weeks ago but Avdulla says she is no much better on firmer ground.

“She has a good turn of foot on top of the ground so a wet track is to her disadvantage,’’ Avdulla said.

“The track is going to be the key to our chances. If it’s a drying surface I think she’s a great ride, but if we get rain and it’s heavy then she might struggle that little bit.’’

There was good support for Dyslexic with TAB on Thursday as she firmed from $6 into $4.80 behind multiple Group 1 winner Alizee.

“She’s going well and she deserves to break through at this level,’’ Avdulla said.

“We rode her a little bit closer the other day to try and help get through the ground. On a dry surface she probably wins.’’

Brenton Avdulla’s comments on his Group 1 ride on Saturday.

Big Duke (Tancred Stakes): “The 2400m is his go, soft tracks are his go, he performs off a back up. It’s not a strong weight-for-age race, take Avilius out and they are handicappers so he deserves his chance.’’

All the fields, form and replays for Stakes Day at Rosehill on Saturday