New route for Summer Passage in Aust
Connections of Matamata-trained Summer Passage are hoping a decision to bypass Saturday’s Caulfield Guineas will pay dividends on Wednesday.
The colt from Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott’s stable takes on his fellow 3-year-olds in the Group III Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Winner of the Group I Sistema Stakes at Ellerslie in March, Summer Passage was scratched from the Caulfield Guineas after drawing the outside barrier.
Summer Passage split Invader and Trapeze Artist when runnerup in the ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes at Randwick as a juvenile, has drawn barrier eight for the Blue Sapphire Stakes.
Hugh Bowman takes the ride, with the colt taking on a talented 10-horse field. His trainers are happy the right decision was made to scratch Summer Passage from the Caulfield Guineas with the way the race panned out. ‘‘It was going to be tough for him from that wide gate and that’s the reason we made the decision,’’ Scott said from Melbourne. ‘‘He has drawn a bit wide in eight this time but it should be better than 16 in the Guineas,’’ he said. ‘‘He’s well and should go a good race.
‘‘He did well in quiet gallop on Monday and he’s got a top jockey and he will be able to give us the right feedback.’’
Summer Passage resumed at Flemington in the Danehill Stakes on September 16, finishing eighth to Catchy and beaten two and a half lengths.
He was then runner-up to Perast in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude at Caulfield on October 1.
Formality tops the opening markets for the Blue Sapphire. Formality will go into the race with three Sydney runs under her belt and bookmakers have posted her as favourite at prices between $3.60 and $4.
The Lindsay Park-trained filly just holds favouritism ahead of the Danehill Stakes runner-up Jukebox, who returns to racing on his home track after suffering his first defeat at Flemington last time out.
Bookies have posted Jukebox at quotes between $3.80 and $4 while another Caulfield-trained filly, the unbeaten Crown Witness is next in betting ahead of I Did It Again. The Kiwi is at around $8. Summer Passage an A$800,000 yearling purchase, could tackle the Coolmore Stud Stakes providing he runs well in the Blue Sapphire Stakes.
‘‘All going well he will go to the Coolmore. We will take it one race at a time. Hopefully he runs well on Wednesday and we can make some plans from there,’’ he said.
Another Kiwi on the Caulfield card will pressing claims for a VRC Derby (2500m) start. The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained son of Roc de Cambes will run in a 3-year-old 1600m handicap with Damien Oliver in the saddle.
‘‘He’s going well and travelled over without any problem at all,’’ Baker said. ‘‘He has the ability to do well.’’
Vin De Dance was a debut winner at Pukekohe last month and finished runner-up in two subsequent outings at Te Rapa. Baker said Vin De Dance is likely to join stablemate and fellow Derby hopeful Weather With You in the Listed Geelong Classic (2200m) on Oct 25.