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Malice has good intentions at Randwick

The perseverance of horse, jockey and trainer helped Malice return to his best form at his most recent start, and the same qualities again support his prospects in Saturday’s G2 Villiers Stakes at Randwick.

Malice had been two years without a win before he won the Listed ATC Cup at Rosehill two weeks ago.

But despite the lengthy absence from the winners’ list, the gelding had raced consistently in strong company.

“It was pleasing for the team and a tribute to the horse that he could get back to winning form last start,” said trainer John O’Shea.

“Even though he hadn’t won for a while, he’d continued to run well in good races like the Epsom when he was only four lengths from Winx and he ran very well in Melbourne last Spring.”

Malice also responded well to new rider James Doyle at Rosehill, finishing full of running over 2000m to score convincingly.

The son of Teofilo drops back to 1600m on Saturday but O’Shea believes he will be equally effective over the shorter trip.

“From a good draw and with his good record over the mile at Randwick, I’d expect him to run well again,” he said.

Malice will be accompanied into the Villiers by stablemate Duca Valentinois (John O’Shea/Brenton Avdulla) who has drawn gate 15 of 18.

“I’m a bit disappointed with the wide gate, but at the same time it doesn’t deter me,” O’Shea said

“His last two have been solid and he drops eight kilos on his last run, so we’re looking forward to him getting his chance in a stakes race.”

The stable is viewing the Listed Razor Sharp Stakes as a useful guide to the future for the well-related Grunderzeit (John O’Shea/Michael Dee).

A winner of his past two starts in restricted company, Grunderzeit makes the step up to stakes class in a race that O’Shea has planned as a lead-up to the Listed Canterbury Classic.

“He’s won his last two in good style and deserves his chance here.

“All going well he’ll go on to the Canterbury Classic in two weeks which I think will suit him.”

Grunderzeit is by Street Cry from Viennese, a sister to the top-class sprinter and outstanding sire Snitzel and a half-sister to the well-credentialed stallion Hinchinbrook.