King’s Troop in defining race at Randwick
The South Pacific Classic looms as a defining race for King’s Troop in more ways than one.
Saturday’s Group Two race at Randwick will be his first attempt at 1400m, but possibly his last as a colt.
“If he doesn’t shape up on Saturday, I think we’ll see him in the future as a gelding,” trainer Gerald Ryan said.
“I’m very interested to see how he goes at 1400 metres.
“Everyone who has ever ridden him has got off and said they thought that he would do well over the distance.”
As a late two-year-old, King’s Troop beat Japonisme and finished second to him in the Group Three San Domenico Stakes in the first month of their three-year-old year.
But while Japonisme has gone on to win at Group One level, King’s Troop has been unplaced in four starts.
King’s Troop is one of two colts Ryan will saddle up for John Messara’s Arrowfield Stud on Saturday with Spill The Beans to run in the 1200m Group Two race sponsored by his owner.
Spill The Beans is a $13 chance with the Chris Waller-trained Japonisme the ruling $3.50 favourite.
The winner of the Group Three Eskimo Prince Stakes in February, Spill The Beans has been freshened up with a trial since his fourth in the Hobartville Stakes.
“He’s terrific,” Ryan said.
“I was pleased with his trial and he’s going into the race nice and fresh.”
New stable acquisition Kinglike also runs in the Arrowfield after finishing last in the Group One William Reid Stakes.
Formerly trained by Peter Moody who has wound up his business, Kinglike was reported to have pulled muscles after the Moonee Valley sprint on March 24 but Ryan said he could not find any evidence of injury.
“My vets have been all over him and can’t find anything wrong,” Ryan said.
“Depending on how he goes we will look at races over the Queensland carnival with him.
“He is a lovely horse and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do.”