Rampant Raiment returns to form at Randwick in JHB Stakes

Raiment
The John O’Shea-trained Raiment bounced back in fine style at Randwick to give jockey James Doyle a fitting farewell

RAIMENT has bounced back from its disappointing last start failure to return to its winning ways in the JHB Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.

The Godolphin filly had an uncustomary poor run last time out at Randwick two weeks ago, but the three-year-old turned that horrendous run around in stylish fashion to gap the field and return $5.80 at WilliamHill.com.au.

Raiment’s trainer John O’Shea believes his runner had plenty of excuses on the April 1 failure.

“She got back to her best today,” O’Shea said.

“I needed to be a little bit forgiving the other day, she just got to that worst part of the ground and she was second up off a big performance first up.”

O’Shea said we got to see the horse’s true colours today.

“But she bounced back beautifully this week and she showed her true class. She’s run plenty of time here today, she’s been quicker than the All Aged, that’s a true indication of where we think she fits in,” he said.

“She’s an exciting filly with a very, very bright future.”

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Jockey James Doyle, riding in his final Australian meet before heading back to England said today’s run showed Raiment’s last start was an aberration.

“It was the same field, different ground again, I don’t know this ground is very difficult to work out, everyone is allowed an off day I guess but she was so dominant today.” Doyle said.

Chris Waller-trained Invincibella forced its way into second to return $1.90 at WilliamHill.com.au, while Smart Amelia rounded out the placings to deliver $2.40 at Crownbet.com.au.

Invincibella’s jockey Craig Williams said the winner was benefited by inconsistencies in the Randwick surface.

“We got back a bit further than we actually planned, back to last,” Williams said.

“As it turned out we were able to get onto the back of the favourite, travelled really well through the worst part of the track.

“When I started to make my run with the winner, the winner is just better on that type of surface.

“I thought my horse went really well and she is showing signs of maturity. They are in for a really strong preparation with her.”

The race was all about Raiment’s return to form however, and O’Shea has a race earmarked for the talented galloper.

“Without having spoken to the boss, she’d be a filly that if we gave a short break to and just kept her ticking over at the farm,” O’Shea said.

“It’s something we’d give consideration to but I think she’s an ideal Winter Stakes (Tattersall’s Tiara) filly.”

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