Avdulla to take his place among a galaxy of stars, contenders and hopefuls
Established jockey Brenton Avdulla has taken on the old "door" policy as several spring contenders emerge at tomorrow's Warwick Stakes meeting at Warwick Farm.
Having been dumped off group 1-winning mare Secret Admirer, Avdulla takes the ride on Australian Derby runner-up Polish Knight in the Warwick Stakes.
The feature is the launch pad for premier trainer Chris Waller's big-race winner Danleigh, which has been aided by a throat operation. Adding an east coast flavour to the group 2, 1400-metre event are Queenslanders Bold Glance and Startsmeup, while Victoria-based trainer Peter Moody will start Brisbane Cup winner Lights of Heaven.
Gai Waterhouse's latest cups contender, Rock 'n' Pop, debuts for the stable; the New Zealand Derby runner-up joined Tulloch Lodge after finishing eighth in the Rosehill Guineas in the autumn.
"He is going good, his work has been good and he trialled well," Waterhouse's No.1 jockey Nash Rawiller said when asked about Rock 'n' Pop. "Saturday is going to give us a guide on him, see where he is at … "
Rock 'n' Pop is on the second line of Warwick Stakes betting at $5.50 at TAB Sportsbet, which has Darley Stud's last-start Missile Stakes winner Pinwheel as $3.20 favourite. Pinwheel won the Warwick Stakes last year - his sire Lonhro also won the race twice and finished second in between.
Secret Admirer is quoted at $7 to win the $175,000 weight-for-age event, just in front of Lights of Heaven at $8, while Polish Knight is being quoted $17. Avdulla won the Flight Stakes and Epsom Handicap on the Grahame Begg-trained Secret Admirer but connections have opted for Corey Brown.
"I've been more than happy with the two trials she has had," Brown said. "The latest when third behind More Joyous and Dystopia indicated she is ready to go."
Secret Admirer is on a path towards the Caulfield Cup, which is on the agenda of Team Hawkes, who prepare Polish Knight, which hasn't raced since the Derby.
"Secret Admirer has been a good horse to me but one door closes and another opens," Avdulla said. "I had my first ride on him [Polish Knight] when he won the Tulloch Stakes back in the autumn and unfortunately I was suspended when he ran second in the Derby for Dwayne Dunn.
"He seems like he has come back good. He has only had the one trial, he wasn't out to break any records when he was up against More Joyous, Secret Admirer, some real good horses.
"He went from nowhere to win the Tulloch and then run second in the Derby and he isn't at that stage fitness-wise, but I'm sure he'll be hitting the line on Saturday. That's what you want to be seeing and I'm sure he'll be playing a role over the spring carnival as the races get longer."
In the Silver Shadow Stakes dominated by Nechita, Avdulla and the Allan Denham-trained Ichihara reunite.
"I've won two on her including a $100,000 race," Avdulla said. "She has won two recent trials, the latest at Cessnock when Hugh Bowman went up to ride her. I expect her to bounce out and be right there."
Story: SMH