There’s little separating the top three in betting for the Schweppes Handicap at Randwick, but Star Thoroughbreds boss Denise Martin is keeping her expectations grounded.
Crossbow, a $4.20 chance, sits behind Pillow Fight ($2.50) and Tomato Toastie ($3.60) in the market, with the trio the only runners under double figures.
The gelding, who was cut after finishing behind Golden Slipper placegetter Wodeton in January, caught the eye with a fast-finishing second to a blueblood stablemate at Canterbury.
“He’s a lovely horse… by Better Than Ready and he’s got a really nice way about him,” Martin said.
“Chris has been very happy with him… it’s a good race for him after the nice run at Canterbury.”
Jason Collett takes the ride from barrier one, but Martin remains cautious.
“When you’ve got two-year-olds and there are unraced horses, you don’t know whether your horse is running against Usain Bolt or me,” she said.
The race is among the last Saturday metro chances for this season’s two-year-olds.