Red Tracer is a surprise nomination for Saturday’s George Ryder Stakes prompted by the forecast of continuing rain in Sydney.
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Trainer Chris Waller said he had intended to keep the mare for the Emancipation Stakes a week later but the prospect of a wet track had changed his mind.
“We never intended to run her but we know how much she likes a wet track so we decided to nominate her,” Waller said.
“The Emancipation looks like a really good race for her but she is so good in the wet and the George Ryder is a Group One race.”
The winner of eight races from 12 starts on slow or heavy tracks, Red Tracer is one of four Waller-trained entries for the George Ryder (1500m) including last-start Chipping Norton Stakes winner Boban.
Glyn Schofield, who has an unbeaten record of six from six on Boban, is in Singapore where his son-in-law Nathan Berry is ill in hospital but Waller says the ride will be held open pending his return.
“Boban is definitely Glyn’s ride and if I have to keep it open until the last minute I will,” Waller said.
My Kingdom Of Fife and last year’s Doncaster winner Sacred Falls, to be ridden by Zac Purton, round out the Waller quartet.
As he did in the Canterbury Stakes, trainer Guy Walter will have three runners in the George Ryder headed by Appearance who is unbeaten in three starts this campaign.
The Darley mare will once again be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy who steered her to victory in the Canterbury Stakes.
Glen Boss, who rode Streama to sixth just behind Blake Shinn’s mount Toydini, is sitting out Saturday’s meeting through suspension.
Walter and Shinn will decide on Tuesday which horse he will ride.
“Blake will ride them both on Tuesday morning and we will have a discussion after that,” Walter said.
Toydini the least experienced of the Walter trio on wet tracks with a second from three starts on slow or heavy.
Streama has three wins and four minor placings while Appearance has three wins and a second in the wet.
“Streama has a good record in the wet,” Walter said.
“It’s something to consider.”