It's all systems go for Yulong Investments with new acquisitions Streisand and Paradoxium leading the charge April 4 at Randwick Racecourse.
Streisand is a firming AU$3.30 favorite for the ATC Sires' Produce Stakes (G1) and Paradoxium is on the third line of markets at AU$9.50 following contrasting results in the March 21 Golden Slipper Stakes (G1).
Yulong owner Mr. Yuesheng Zhang purchased Blue Diamond Stakes (G1) winner Streisand outright earlier this week and he will race Paradoxium in partnership with Ridgmont's Mitch Cunningham—who kept a share in the untapped colt.
Yulong chief operating officer Sam Fairgray made a case for both youngsters when previewing the star-studded meeting yesterday.
"Streisand will stay with Clinton McDonald at Cranbourne and you can't fault her form," Fairgray said. "She won the Blue Diamond and then finished second to Guest House in the Golden Slipper.
"Clinton is happy with the way she's trained on and another group 1 will only increase her residual value. Owners and trainers love yearlings from fast 2-year-olds and she will be a great addition to Yulong's broodmare band down the track."
Fairgray is confident Paradoxium can make amends for a best-forgotten loss in the Golden Slipper. The Bjorn Baker-trained colt went into the race on the back of outstanding victories in the Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic and Todman Stakes (G2) at Randwick.
"He drew (barrier) 18 and was brave after traveling wide," Baker said. "He also had a setback earlier in the season before the Magic Million Classic on the Gold Coast. He was the early favorite but had to be scratched due to travel sickness."
Baker has plenty of time for Paradoxium. "For him to get back here is pretty special," he added. "We breed for speed in Australia and he's fast and tough."
Sheza Alibi Favored for Doncaster despite wide draw
Sheza Alibi remains the AU$2.10 favorite for Saturday's Doncaster Mile (G1) at Randwick following the March 31 barrier draw, despite easing slightly in the market. The Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained filly drew gate 13, while key rival Autumn Boy firmed from AU$6 into AU$5 after coming up with the inside barrier, a factor TAB spokesman Tim Ryan said had influenced the shift.
"I've eased Sheza Alibi slightly to AU$2.10, not because of her draw, but because Autumn Boy has the rails," Ryan said. "He's likely to settle in front of her, but Sheza Alibi remains very popular with punters."
More than 70% of all-in betting has been on Sheza Alibi, who is chasing a rare win for a 3-year-old filly in the handicap feature. No filly has started shorter in the modern era than Sunline, who won as a AU$2.10 chance in 1999, while the last odds-on filly winner was Valicare in 1926. History suggests wider draws are no disadvantage given 16 of the past 30 winners have jumped from barrier 10 or wider.
Green Spaces ready for Australian Derby mission
Godolphin colt Green Spaces will bid to turn a long-held ambition into reality when he lines up in Saturday's Australian Derby (G1) at Randwick. Trainer Baker revealed the plan was hatched after the 3-year-old's dominant Spring Stakes (G3) victory at Newcastle last November, with his autumn campaign building steadily towards the classic.
The son of Street Boss shapes as though the trip will suit, finishing strongly when sixth in the Randwick Guineas before another eye-catching effort last start in the Rosehill Guineas (G1) when finishing second, just 2 lengths behind Autumn Boy. Baker is confident the colt's racing style will help him see out 2,400 meters (about 2 miles).
Ciaron Maher is chasing a rare staying double with another Godolphin entrant, Observer, who will attempt to add the Australian Derby to his Victoria Derby (G1) success Saturday. The feat has only been achieved twice in recent seasons, with Hitotsu completing the double for Maher in 2021-22 and Riff Rocket following suit for Chris Waller in 2023-24.
Maher acknowledged the challenge but said Observer had continued to progress through his preparation and was well placed stepping back up in trip following his third placing in the Rosehill Guineas.
"It's hard to get them to peak for two Derbies, but we've done it before," Maher said. "He came through his last run really well and he's ticking over nicely. Back up to the trip, that's what he's bred for."
Tentyris out to make Everest statement in T J Smith
Tentyris will be out to stamp his Everest (G1) credentials in Saturday's T J Smith Stakes (G1), with co-trainer Sam Freedman confident the colt can bounce back from his last-start defeat in the Newmarket Handicap (G1). Winner of both the Coolmore Stud Stakes (G1) and the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (G1), the Godolphin colt was beaten 1 1/2 lengths by Caballus at Flemington March 7. Freedman, who trains in partnership with his father Anthony, attributes Tentyris' first defeat since last October to track pattern, rather than the cardiac arrhythmia reported postrace.
"I think the horse ran very well ... the track, unfortunately that day there were real lanes and the rail was one of them," he told Racing NSW. Freedman believes Tentyris profiles similarly to past T J Smith winners who have excelled off a strong finishing burst.
The colt has since trialed in Sydney and heads into Saturday in good order, with Mark Zahra retaining the mount.
