This Weekend in Racing: TRL Trainers Take to the Track

Jan 29, 2021

By Terry Kennedy

ROSEHILL – The Expressway is a Fast Lane

Racing gets turned up a notch this Saturday when some of the big names come out to play in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens.

The Expressway is a “good horses race”, meaning you’ve got to be pretty good to win it and three year olds have a tremendous record.

Looking at the honour role, previous winners include Luskin Star (1978) was the first three-year-old to win it and was joined by Kingston Town (1980), Sir Dapper (1984) and Saintly (1996) to name a few.

All eyes will be on the return of Ole Kirk, who won two Group 1s last campaign. While the 1200m may be a little short of his best distance, I still think he’ll be winning with even bigger riches later in the Autumn.

SLIPPER FAVOURITE

The Golden Slipper favourite Enthaar returns to racing at Caulfield tomorrow for TRL trainer Ciaron Maher.

Enthaar was super impressive winning the prestigious Gimcrack Stakes eased down on the line and did exactly what was expected at Werribee in a lead-up trial. Enthaar is at unbackable odds on Saturday and is currently $6 for the Golden Slipper.

SMALL FIELD PLENTY OF CLASS

Only a small field of six will face the starter in the Group 3 Manfred Stakes at Caulfield and it’s a real moment of truth for Tagaloa, trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young.

Tagaloa won the Blue Diamond Stakes before finishing fourth in the Golden Slipper, but was disappointing last campaign.

The big danger is the classy Deep Field colt Aysar who had a wonderful spring campaign and the Dabernig/Hayes stable has him tuned-up and ready to go first-up.

Meaning two Vic Husslers trainers will be going head to head as the two favourites, may the best stable win.

SUNNY COAST – FANS SET TO TURN OUT

The Sunshine Coast gets a rare stand alone Saturday meeting with the running of the Sunshine Coast Cup worth a cool $125,000.

But it’s the first race on the card which is sure to create the most interest with a large group of miRunners owners set to turn out and cheer on their girl, Lyrical Girl on her return to the track.

Lyrical Girl was unbeaten last campaign winning four on the trot which had her massive ownership base buzzing and creating a great atmosphere wherever she raced. TRL trainer Tony Gollan reports she “worked super” on Wednesday will race handy and hopefully be too good.

WHAT A BLAST –  ASCOT

Scenie Blast was one of the best sprinters to ever emerge from WA and Saturday’s feature is named in his honour.

Simon Miller who “stirred the pot” with his pitch to train for WA Black Hearts has Flirtini primed to win again. The five-year-old mare was a powerful winner last start at Ascot and Willie Pike has stayed on board.

MAHER’S NEW STABLE STAR

Ciaron Maher will train for the Vic Husslers in The Racing League and he might have a new stable star going off a video posted on twitter by James Tazferis. Check out the new four legged stable star HERE.

 

Good Luck

TK