Sprinters set for wyong showdown

SPEED machines Miss Antares and Invincible Kiss are set for an enthralling sprint showdown in the Kristen Buchanan Racing Stables Maiden (1000m) at Wyong today.

Both are coming off brilliant barrier trials wins. Miss Antares scored at Warwick Farm by nearly nine lengths, while Invincible Kiss opened up a huge lead early before coasting home well clear of her rivals in a Wyong heat.

Miss Antares’ rider, Rachel King, said the mare was endowed with plenty of pace but maintained she didn’t necessarily have to lead.

“If something else wanted to go ridiculously quick, I can take the sit,’’ King said.

“Miss Antares is a natural runner, she does her thing, but we don’t push her to lead.

“Her trials this preparation have been very good. She has matured and is more relaxed now.

“When she was last in work, she wanted to do everything in a rush. She is still showing a lot of speed but is more contained now.’’

King has four rides at the Wyong meeting, including the Godolphin filly Waka in the Class 1 Handicap (1350m). The James Cummings-trained Waka showed promise in her three-start debut campaign last spring, winning her maiden at Sale then running fourth in a Listed race at Flemington over the Cup Carnival.

Waka resumes today after a soft trial at Randwick earlier this month when she went to the line under a tight hold to finish sixth behind stablemate Wagner.

“The good thing about riding for James Cummings is that you know he gives his horses plenty of time, he never rushes them, so Waka would have gone out for a spell, strengthened up and hopefully has returned an even better horse,’’ King said.

— Ray Thomas