Risqué clashes with ex-stablemate in pursuit of Guineas glory
RISQUE will clash with an ex-stablemate in the Australian Guineas, but jockey Damian Lane has confidence the filly has the quality to make her mark in the group 1 race.
Risque was a stablemate of the Guineas favourite Xtravagant before she was purchased to join the David Hayes and Tom Dabernig stable in Australia after winning the group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas.
On Saturday she will be one of four horses striving to become the fifth filly to win the Australian Guineas in its 30-year history.
Risque made an instant impression in Melbourne when coming from the tail of the field to win the Kevin Hayes Stakes for fillies at Caulfield.
“She’s pretty good,” Lane said.
“Barrier 10 hurt a little bit. It would have been nice to have drawn in the inside half but she’s going really well and I think she’s the right horse to win an Australian Guineas.”
Lane believes Risque will be at her best over 1600m and further.
Perfect Reflection ($10), Risque ($12), Jameka ($17) and Sailing By ($35) are the fillies in Saturday’s race.
“It’s a great field and I think the winner of it is obviously is going to be a very, very good horse,” Lane said.
“And I think she (Risque) does have those capabilities. It’s just what sort of run she’s going to get from barrier 10 and what sort of run others get.”