Sedanzer earns shot at Group 3 Belle Of The Turf race
Rachel King felt she was riding two different horses as Sedanzer continued her build-up to a black-type debut with a convincing victory at Randwick.
Although the Right2Drive Handicap (1600m) did not unfold as planned for the in-form mare when she had to travel three wide to track front runner Dreamforce, Sedanzer had the class to achieve the desired result.
“It worked out in the end, I was never worried,” King said.
“As soon as she hits the 400 it’s like getting on a fresh horse, she changes legs and off she goes.”
Sedanzer, the $2.60 favourite, continued her perfect preparation with her third victory, a two-length margin over Zourkhan ($10).
Outsider Xebec ($71) was a length back in third.
Sedanzer, who raced at Randwick for the first time, now targets the Group 3 Belle Of The Turf (1600m) at Gosford on December 28.
“She’s really strengthened up this campaign and relished the step up to the mile with ease,” co-trainer Adrian Bott said.
“We had to cover a bit of ground sitting three-wide but the way the track’s been playing, they’ve been making ground outside so we were happy to be out there.
“She switched off and then we saw that devastating turn of foot.”
Bott, who trains in partnership with Gai Waterhouse, said Sedanzer would stick to fillies and mares races after the Belle Of The Turf but could step up in trip.
“We’ve kept to the mile at this point because she’s got so much brilliance but now as an older horse it might be the time to test her again,” he said.
Sedanzer had three starts at 1800m and beyond in her previous preparation, culminating with a second last in the Group 1 South Australia Derby (2500m) in May.