Selica (barrier 15) contests South Australia’s premier staying fillies event. With a preparation designed around having her peak for the G1 Australasian Oaks, the team at Phillip Stokes Racing is confident she will prove very competitive.
Kayla Crowther will again partner Selica, after riding her for the first time finishing 2nd in the G3 Auraria Stakes on April 17.
Earlier in the day, Tigre Royale will race in Listed company for the first time. Trainer Archie Alexander has identified the Port Adelaide Cup (2500m) as a perfect race to test the 4-year-old. A winner at Sandown two starts ago, the son of Redwood has developed into a progressive stayer.
Harbour Views makes a return to the races at Sandown. A winner of five of his six career starts, the 5-year-old son of Le Havre took all before him in his first two racing preparations.
Set to resume in the last event on the program, an Open Handicap over 1400m, Harbour Views (barrier 6) will take great benefit from the run on his way to longer distance races.
Trainer Matt Williams holds lofty ambitions for the talented middle-distance horse in the spring. The G3 RA Lee Stakes (1600m) at Morphettville is one early target this campaign.
Fastnet Tempest (barrier 8) takes his place alongside Harbour Views. Fastnet Tempest was last year’s winner of the RA Lee Stakes and will be having his first run for new trainer, Lindsey Smith. Sure to derive good improvement out of the race, we look forward to seeing him back.
Best of luck to all our partners this weekend!