Nick Ryan has a large portion of his stable entered for Saturday’s rich VOBIS Gold Raceday at Caulfield, but it will have a different feel no matter how many run.
For the first time in five years, Mahamedeis will not be in action at the meeting that is now headlined by the $1 million The Showdown.
Mahamedeis won the VOBIS Gold 3YO Sires in 2018 and last year’s VOBIS Gold Heath, having also run at the meeting the two years in between.
But the son of Magnus struggled in the Echuca Cup at his first run this time in and was not among Monday’s release of entries.
That means the meeting has the potential to signal of a changing of the guard and Ryan would be more than happy for either Don’t Change or Capital Express to stand tall in the 1200-metre The Showdown.
“They’ve come along at the right time and both put their hands up,” Ryan said of the two-year-olds.
“Both are well and came through their first runs well and are only going to be improved from their first starts, experience wise.”
Capital Express sealed her place with a debut win over 1000m at Cranbourne on April 1, while Don’t Change pleased Ryan with his fifth placing in the following day’s $250,000 VOBIS Gold Rush (1000m) at Bendigo.
“Don’t Change was a monster run at Bendigo and I think he’ll really eat up the 1200 at Caulfield,” Ryan said of the son of Holler.
“He’s a horse that’s probably got a little more scope than Capital Express, who is little and fast and very professional.
“He’s one we’ve got a fair bit of time for.”
That professionalism is what Ryan thinks will give Capital Express, a daughter of Ilovethiscity, her chance.
“She was dominant at Cranbourne and she’s done well since,” he said.
Don’t Change and Capital Express are among seven horses Ryan has nominated for Caulfield, with Express Pass, Regardsmaree and Reckoning all entered for the $250,000 VOBIS Gold Sprint (1200m).
Express Pass is also entered for the $160,000 Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m), Regardsmaree joins Belle Savoir in the $250,000 VOBIS Gold Mile (1600m), while Reckoning nominated alongside Rutherford in the $75,000 BM78 Handicap over 1400m.
Belle Savoir is also entered for the $200,000 VOBIS Gold Distaff (1400m).