SARA Ryan is now keen to focus on another big Royal Randwick “mile” with her comeback star Matcha Latte.
But she has to discuss with connections before confirming definite plans.
Instead of the Group 1 Epsom Handicap on October 5, the Wyong trainer would like to get last Friday’s first-up Group 3 Cameron Handicap runner-up into the $3m The Big Dance on November 5, especially having won the race last year with Attractable.
At his first start in nearly 18 months, the lightly-raced Maurice five-year-old very nearly brought off a miraculous training performance on Ryan’s part when beaten narrowly by Victorian Here To Shock in the Cameron (1500m).
The Hayes brothers specifically brought Here To Shock to Newcastle to gain a ticket into The Big Dance.
Matcha Latte (a drink made of matcha green tea powder and milk, served hot or over ice) had not started since a three-year-old when also beaten narrowly, by The Fortune Teller, in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on April 1 last year during The Championships.
That was his first start for Ryan after being transferred from the now Hong Kong-based Mark Newnham.
Unfortunately he subsequently suffered a serious injury, and there were real doubts about him ever returning to the racetrack.
“Matcha Latte tore a hole in a tendon and required a very lengthy rehab,” Ryan said on Monday.
“We also gelded him during his time away from the track.”
Understandably in view of the gelding’s time on the sidelines, Ryan did not nominate Matcha Latte, a son of international star Maurice, for the $1.5m Epsom (1600m) on Saturday week when entries closed earlier this month.
“I didn’t expect he would come back as well as he has,” she admitted.
“He has pulled up well from the Cameron, and I would really like to get him into The Big Dance.
“We’ve got to sit down and work out which way to head.
“Plan A is to go to the Wild Card (1600m) at Randwick on October 19.”
The Wild Card is restricted to horses who have contested but not won a Big Dance Eligibility race (which the Cameron Handicap was), and the first two placegetters will automatically qualify for the $3m feature on November 5 and also be exempt from ballot.
Plan B is to run a week earlier than the Big Dance Wild Card in the $1.5m Alan Brown Stakes (1400m), run under Quality conditions, at Rosehill Gardens.
Ryan also has Bathurst Cup winner Money From The Sky heading toward Randwick on November 5.
Another ex-Newnham gelding, the Frankel six-year-old bolted in with the $50,000 Cup (an 1800m Benchmark 78 Handicap) on September 15, which Ryan rated a career-best performance.
“Money From The Sky is having a short break,” Ryan said.
“He is at the farm and still being ridden, but not going to the track.
“Money From The Sky is likely to run in a Benchmark 88 Handicap (1400m) at Randwick on the same program as the Big Dance Wild Card.”
Story John Curtis, September 23, 2024
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