Pericles to appreciate weight swing in G2 Tramway Stakes

High class Godolphin galloper Pericles will get handicap conditions to suit when he begins his spring campaign under new trainer Bjorn Baker in the G2 Tramway Stakes at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

The dual G2 winner, including the Tramway Stakes two years ago, will carry Josh Parr’s 57kg under the set weights and penalties conditions of the 1,400m event.

Winner of nearly $5.5 million in prize-money, Pericles meets highly fancied Tramway runner Linebacker 7kg better at the handicaps for beating him home at their last clash on 5 April.

Pericles finished less than three-quarters of a length behind Stefi Magnetica in the G1 Doncaster Mile with 55kg, while Linebacker was beaten 1.2 lengths with just 49kg.

Linebacker has 58kg and the outside barrier on Saturday and looks certain to concede a head start to Pericles.

Baker’s racing manager, Luke Hilton, said Pericles had pleased the stable and settled in beautifully at Warwick Farm after transferring from former trainer James Cummings.

“Obviously a new acquisition to our stable and he galloped between races the other week,” Hilton said.
“He’s had two trials, looks fantastic and we are very, very happy with his work at home.”

Hilton said barrier 12 was a slight concern but Pericles, a first-up winner twice previously, had the gate speed to be up on the pace in a field where 12 of the 16 runners are resuming from spells.

“A tricky little gate, which makes it a bit tougher assignment,” he admitted.
“But if he can have any luck, from what we’ve seen at home, I think he’ll be in the finish.”

Pericles has already raced against the best horses in the country and could be aimed at some big spring targets – including the G1 King Charles III Stakes 1,600m at Randwick next month – if he performs as anticipated.

At The Valley in Melbourne, quality mare Zardozi also starts her spring preparation when she lines up in the $200,000 So You Think Stakes over 1,500m.

The former G1 VRC Oaks winner, now prepared by Ciaron Maher at Cranbourne, will carry the limit weight of 55kg under jockey Jamie Melham and has had the benefit of two barrier trials.

Maher will also saddle-up Custom for Godolphin in the Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes over 1,200m with Tom Stockdale to ride.

The three-year-old filly ran home strongly to finish sixth behind Ferivia in the G3 Quezette Stakes 1,100m at Caulfield three weeks ago, but was only beaten 1.5 lengths and should appreciate the rise in distance.

Anthony and Sam Freedman have also accepted with Godolphin filly Expulsion in the Atlantic Jewel after the daughter of sprint champion Bivouac opened her winning account at Cranbourne last month.

While Custom is likely to be ridden quietly early in the race and saved for a big finish, Expulsion has led at her past two starts and jockey Michael Dee is expected to take advantage of her favourable barrier three.