Reachin’ Out possesses the least experience among the nine competitors in the $1 million Percy Sykes Stakes at Randwick, yet she could emerge as the filly with the greatest potential.
A product of the promising stallion Stay Inside, Reachin’ Out left a strong mark by securing a dominant four-length victory in her initial outing at Kensington last month, building on two solid barrier trial showings.
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, her trainers, showed no reluctance in advancing her directly into Group 2 level, and initial betting markets validate their choice, positioning the two-year-old as the $3.60 top pick for Saturday’s Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m).
“That was her debut performance, and she ran good times on the day, some good figures off the back of it,” Bott said.
“She was excellent, and she looks like she has continued to improve.
“She is one of the fillies on the way up. The timing might be ideal for her for this race.”
The team will also field Lumbini, who came back from Queensland with a non-placing in the Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) prior to a solid runner-up finish behind Pembrey in the Magic Night Stakes (1200m).
Her connections placed limited emphasis on a Golden Slipper appearance, preferring to aim for this weekend’s event, though she faces a challenging start from gate nine.
“She had a quick turnaround from the Gold Coast so she may have been in need of that first run, and she bounced back last start,” Bott said.
“It was always in the plan to come through to this race and skip the Slipper. We weren’t always trying to push her towards that, we thought she would be better placed here.
“She seems to be in good shape, and the form around her looks good.”
Tulloch Lodge considered including Reisling Stakes placegetter Agrarian Girl in the Percy Sykes field following her emergency status for the Golden Slipper, but Bott noted she had reached the conclusion of her campaign and received a spell.
“We didn’t want to go one too many,” he said.
“She had been up for a while and just started to come to the end of it. We will do the right thing by her, and give her a bit of time.”
The Percy Sykes Stakes promises to be a captivating race featuring Godolphin juvenile Medicinal on her Sydney introduction after a pair of impressive victories in Victoria, alongside unbeaten Satono Glow who returns to Randwick post a Group 3 triumph at Flemington recently.
Rachini brings further credentials via a fourth placing in the Group 1 Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) as she backs up, while Screen Icon seeks a redeeming success after bypassing the Golden Slipper.
Explore the Australian betting sites for top racing odds on the Percy Sykes Stakes.
