Odds in favour of Interlocuter
BOOM Godolphin galloper Interlocuter has been installed a dominant favourite as he prepares for his first test at stakes level in the Group 2 $ 250,000 Villiers Stakes ( 1600m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Interlocuter has been so impressive racing his way through the grades and completing a hat- trick of wins this campaign that TAB Fixed Odds price assessors have rated him the $ 3 favourite for Sydney’s premier summer race.
But Interlocuter has not contested a race at Group or Listed level before and must come back in distance for the Villiers after a last- start win in the November Topaz at 1900m a month ago.
Trainer James Cummings has freshened Interlocuter with the Villiers in mind, giving the former French galloper a 1030m barrier trial at Rosehill last Friday where the five- year- old entire ran third to Arbeitsam.
“Interlocuter is in really good shape,” Cummings said. “He came through that little trial last Friday well. It was the burnout he needed for the Villiers.
“He then had a beautiful piece of work ( yesterday) morning and is in top order for the weekend.”
Interlocuter gets into the Villiers with 54.5kg and will be ridden by the in- form Tye Angland. Destiny’s Kiss is the race topweight with 59kg ahead of Red Excitement on 58kg, then Testashadow and Hopfgarten on 57kg.
Cummings confirmed the Godolphin stable would have two runners in the Villiers with Federal ($ 17) also taking his place in the field.
“I will run Federal and don’t count him out,” Cummings said. “He has improved again since his last run in the Festival Stakes ( sixth to Testashadow) when he wasn’t that suited by the downpour of rain before the race.”
Cummings, who brought up his 100th winner since taking over as head trainer at Godolphin five months ago when Drachenfels won at Rosehill last Saturday, can continue his winning momentum as he hopes to lead in another brace with Seine Net and Thrilled at Wyong today.
Seine Net is the shortest favourite on the program at $ 1.35 for the Class 1 and Maiden Plate ( 2100m) while Thrilled is pressing for favouritism at $ 2.70 for the Maiden Plate ( 1350m).
“I think they are both well placed, they are not in the strongest races of all time,” Cummings said.
“Seine Net won well two starts back and hasn’t finished further back than third every race this preparation and she is a 2100m horse all over.
“Thrilled has been consistent without winning and just needs to get into his rhythm. If he can be measured and work into his sprint, and kept balanced around Wyong, then he is certainly going to be more than competitive in that field.”