Interlocuter faces true test in Villiers
INTERLOCUTER can continue to justify his move to Australian racing from France when the Godolphin five-yearold steps up in class in the Villiers Stakes at Randwick.
After being taken through his grades, Interlocuter will make his black-type debut in tomorrow’s Group 2 feature over 1600m.
Interlocuter is seeking a fourth successive win – and an exemption to April’s Doncaster Mile – when he takes on a high-quality field as the $3.10 favourite.
“He’s been able to flow through his grades really nicely and there’s no doubt he deserves his chance in a stakes race,” trainer James Cummings said.
“The pressure is on now that he’s favourite here in the Villiers, which always seems to be a hotly contested race, but he’s performed so well right from the day he got off the plane.”
Chris Waller’s Irish import Mister Sea Wolf, who finished second in the Group 3 Festival Stakes at Rosehill on December 2 when making his Australia debut, is on UBET’s second line of betting at $5.50.
Queensland visitor Crack Me Up ($6) and Cabeza De Vaca ($8.50) are the other runners under double-figure odds.
“He’s going to have to get to the next level to be looking good against those horses,’‘ Cummings said.
Interlocuter had his first start in Australia in late March, in a 1600m race at Newcastle.
He started his current winning sequence over 1600m at Randwick on October 7 after a month’s break from racing.
Interlocuter then won over 1800m at Randwick on October 28 and has had another mini-break after his victory in the 1900m November Topaz Handicap at Rosehill on November 18.
“His last couple of runs have been in longer races, but he’s freshened up comfortably,” Cummings said.
Godolphin will also be represented in the Villiers by sixyear-old Federal ($18), who is seeking his first win since March last year.