Happy with a second to Winx

RED Excitement has done enough in a barrier trial to convince his trainer he is ready to run in the Warwick Stakes but Gerald Ryan is under no illusions he can beat Winx.

Stablemate, Australian Derby runner-up Harper’s Choice, will join Red Excitement in Saturday’s Group 2 race at Randwick where Ryan says they are running for second. Red Excitement tuned up for Saturday with a second in a barrier trial at Warwick Farm yesterday while Harper’s Choice started his campaign with a midfield finish in the Missile Stakes on August 5 won by Invincible Gem.

“As long as the track stays dry, Red Excitement will run with Josh Parr to ride,” Ryan said. “Glyn Schofield will ride Harper’s Choice.

“Harper’s Choice has only won a maiden and a benchmark race at Canterbury and if he could run a place behind Winx that would look OK.

“He needs to get his rating up to run in the bigger races and will probably have to take her on in the Chelmsford Stakes anyway. I didn’t take him to the trials because I think he is fit enough, though he is a hard horse to get a gauge on from his work.”

Ecuador and Inference, both entered for the race, also trialled at Warwick Farm.

Eleven nominations were taken yesterday for what Zanbagh’s trainer John Thompson described as the Winx Stakes.

Zanbagh is also entered for the Toy Show Quality (1300m) as is Invincible Gem.