The set weights for the Queen Of The Turf Stakes put Arctic Glamour at a disadvantage in her return against Lazzura, yet trainer Gerald Ryan remains optimistic that it won’t prove decisive.
Arctic Glamour enjoyed a 2.5kg advantage in the weights during her narrow defeat by a short neck to Lazzura in the Coolmore Classic (1500m), but on Saturday at Randwick, they line up on level terms.
That said, Ryan points out that weight variations don’t always dictate outcomes, citing his Group 1 victor Recurring who was defeated in the 2004 Birthday Card Stakes carrying 54.5kg, only to carry 58kg successfully against a comparable lineup next time out. “I remember a few years ago Recurring got beaten in a mares race with around 54 kilos then went to the Sapphire Stakes, and because it was set weights with penalties she ended up with 58 and she beat the mares that beat her the start before, despite carrying more weight.”
A key issue for Arctic Glamour is proving her credentials at a true mile distance.
She has failed to place in any of her six prior tries at 1600m, though she was an unfortunate fifth in the 2023 Thousand Guineas (1600m) and repeated that placing behind Ceolwulf in the Epsom Handicap (1600m) twelve months on.
With Pride Of Jenni, who bowls along freely, confirmed for Saturday, the Queen Of The Turf Stakes shapes as a stern contest, prompting Ryan to favour a patient ride for his runner.
“It’s going to be a strong mile on Saturday with the speed that’s in the race,” he said. “We will ride her quiet from where she’s drawn. Her best runs are when we ride her quiet.”
Arctic Glamour last competed in the Coolmore Classic on March 14, having been withdrawn from the Emancipation Stakes (1500m) owing to a soggy surface.
She has trialled sharply since, and Ryan reports excellent recent sessions. “She trialled very well on Thursday, and her work (on Tuesday) morning was very good. As good as I’ve seen her do,” he said.
Ryan and co-trainer Sterling Alexiou also saddle Skyhook in the Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (1200m), intending a similar settling strategy.
His fourth on debut in the Darby Munro Stakes (1200m) initially disappointed connections, but Ryan has reassessed. “On face value, we were. But when you analyse the race, he was giving them all weight and maybe on the hot speed we rode him too close,” he said. “We’re going to ride him negative on Saturday and see if we can hit the line.”
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