The legacy of former champion sprinter Black Caviar was evident at the midweek Sydney races, with her granddaughter, Ready Forcocktails, securing a commanding maiden victory.
Prepared by the training trio of John, Wayne, and Michael Hawkes, Ready Forcocktails was making her fourth career start and second outing this campaign, having finished second to Celestial Charm on the Kensington track last month.
Winning jockey Tyler Schiller expressed his delight at the three-year-old breaking her maiden status, noting her consistent promise on the training tracks.
“She has always shown so much at home, so we expected a bit before this run,” Schiller said. “But obviously, she ran into a nice enough two-year-old last start and last ‘prep’, she didn’t have a couple of things go her way. Today, she has found the right race to get a bit of confidence under the belt.”
Ready Forcocktails, the $3.20 favourite, responded sharply to Schiller’s urging to claim the TAB Plate (1150m) by three lengths from Claudel ($4.60), with Sorentina ($18) securing third place a further three-quarters of a length behind.
Schiller commented that the winner benefited from a solid pace and maintained her strong run to the finish line.
“She lobbed in a lovely spot, and the pace was nice today,” he stated. “The other day it was a touch steady for her, but very happy with the way she has put them away.”
In another notable performance, the two-year-old filly Consulate achieved a significant milestone with her inaugural city win in the Robrick Lodge Plate (1250m).
Charlie Duckworth, assistant trainer to Chris Waller, revealed that the stable had held the juvenile’s half-brother, Battuta, in high regard, which influenced their decision to purchase her as a yearling.
“It’s a bit of a relief really. We had the half-brother called Battuta, who showed a lot of early promise and that was a good reason behind purchasing this filly at the Easter sales,” Duckworth commented. “Unfortunately, he didn’t quite work out, but she looks like she is. Hopefully she can go on with the task now. Over further, she is going to be better suited.”
Sent out as the $2.60 favourite, Consulate surged past a resilient Castelbella ($12), with stablemate Snitzel’s Girl ($6.50) finishing third.
Ready Forcocktails is showing plenty of promise, and punters are already looking at the available racing odds for her next start. You can find the best prices at Australian betting sites.
