Now Or Never For Diamond Winner: Godolphin
- Tuesday, 02 September 2014 08:27
Godolphin is committed to running Earthquake at Randwick on Saturday despite the prospect of another rain-affected track for the Chelmsford Stakes meeting.
"Obviously we scratched her from the heavy going a couple of weeks ago but she really has to get going now if we've still got the Flight Stakes and Thousand Guineas as options," Godolphin's Jason Walsh said.
Earthquake will join stablemate Memorial in the Group Two Furious Stakes having not raced since finishing second to Mossfun in the Golden Slipper.
Trainer John O'Shea withdrew Earthquake from the Silver Shadow Stakes because of wet-track concerns but Walsh said there was no turning back now for the Blue Diamond Stakes winner.
Rain is forecast for Sydney for the next five days.
O'Shea sent Earthquake from Godolphin's Warwick Farm stable to its training facility at Osborne Park on Sydney's western outskirts on Tuesday morning in search of a firmer footing.
"She worked with a staying horse called Gouldian and we had a very good surface out there on the StrathAyr," Walsh said.
Kerrin McEvoy made the trip to partner her in the gallop and he gave the Godolphin hierarchy a favourable report.
Godolphin's established sprinter Sessions is likely to be switched from the Concorde Stakes to a clash with Lankan Rupee in the McEwen Stakes at Moonee Valley if Randwick comes up too wet.
This will leave Safeguard as Godolphin's only Concorde runner, provided he draws a favourable barrier.
Ming Dynasty entry Meursault is expected to take his place as he tries to impress for a Group One start a week later.
"The Golden Rose is an option that we haven't shut the door on yet with him," Walsh said.
"He seemed to get through the heavy track well enough at Randwick a few weeks before he found some interference."
Gary Portelli's top sprinter Rebel Dane is expected to miss the Tramway Stakes.
Blake Shinn, who was booked to continue his association with Rebel Dane in the Tramway, has been has been snapped up for the ride on VRC Oaks winner Kirramosa.
Shinn has never ridden Kirramosa in a race and Tim Clark was in the saddle when she resumed after an injury-enforced lay-off with a close sixth in the Missile Stakes.
