Trainer John Thompson is anticipating a significantly improved performance from Embrace The Wind, a promising three-year-old, as it competes on a firmer track at Rosehill this Saturday.
Despite drawing the widest barrier for the Ranvet Handicap (1200m), Thompson remains unphased by the draw, citing the gelding’s established racing style.
“He gets back, so the draw probably doesn’t matter as much for him,” Thompson remarked. “I’d just love to see him back on top of the ground. He’s been running well on the heavy tracks, but when he gets back on top of the ground, I think you will see a better turn of foot.”
The lightly-raced sprinter has shown good form in his current preparation. He made an impressive late charge behind Lighthouse Lass at Rosehill in June, coming from last on the turn to finish narrowly behind the winner, and followed this up with a solid third place behind Rolling Magic on a heavy track at the same venue.
Thompson anticipates that the gelding will continue to develop as he builds fitness and gains more racing experience.
“He’s progressive, and he’ll go through his grades. I think he’s got a bright future,” he stated. “He’s a sprinter. He will definitely push on (after Saturday), but where we head will depend on how he goes.”
Thompson is also focusing on the impending spring campaign of the talented filly Screen Icon, who is slated to commence her carnival campaign following another trial at Rosehill next Friday.
The two-year-old stakes performer is being targeted for the Silver Shadow Stakes (1100m), the initial event of Sydney’s four-race Princess Series.
“She trialled well here the other day and beat the older horses,” Thompson explained. “She trials again on Friday week at Rosehill, and she will run first-up in the Silver Shadow.”
Screen Icon had a promising juvenile season, finishing second in the Sweet Embrace Stakes, and experienced an unlucky campaign that also included a close defeat in the Gimcrack Stakes and a luckless seventh in the Inglis Millennium.
She narrowly missed a start in the Golden Slipper and concluded her season with a competitive performance in the Percy Sykes Stakes, finishing within three lengths of the winner despite being at the end of her preparation.
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