Draw only barrier for Tosen Stardom
DARREN Weir is excited about the way Tosen Stardom is going ahead of his return in the CF Orr Stakes but Victoria’s premier trainer is less enthused about the Japanese import’s barrier draw for the Group 1 race.
Weir has three of the top four chances in early betting for Saturday’s weight-for-age Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, with dual Group 1 winner Tosen Stardom joined by stablemates Black Heart Bart and Brave Smash.
Weir said he had never had Tosen Stardom better at the same stage of a preparation, which he said was a good sign for his campaign.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing how he goes. I reckon he’s in great shape,” Weir said.
But Weir admitted he was disappointed with the horse’s draw, which he believes makes his task more difficult.
Defending champion Black Heart Bart, however, has barrier three, where he can likely put himself in the right spot. Weir said Tosen Stardom would probably have to settle back.
“Bart has drawn the good barrier so he’ll get a good run and Tosen Stardom, it’s going to make it hard now from 14,” Weir said. “We’re going to have to ride him quiet I guess, so that will make it hard.”
Tosen Stardom is the $4.60 favourite with Ladbrokes ahead of Godolphin’s Hartnell at $5.50, with Black Heart Bart at $6.50.
■ SYDNEY’S premier race meetings will be shown live on free-to-air television starting with the Inglis race day at Warwick Farm on Saturday, before a potential year-round deal kicks in after the carnival.
Racing NSW and the Australian Turf Club have reached agreement with the Seven Network to broadcast Sydney racing’s carnival meetings and remain in talks to broker a deal that would eventually result in the televising of all Sydney Saturday racing outside of carnival periods on the alternative channel 7Two.
A source said the longterm objective was to “lock in free-to-air coverage of Sydney Saturday racing 52 weeks a year” on either Channel 7 or 7Two.
It is understood Queensland metropolitan racing could still be part of the deal if local officials can come to agreement on funding and who pays for it.