Full Reign on right track for Railway
Co-trainer Peter Giadresco is banking on a change of luck in tomorrow's Asian Beau Stakes at Ascot to help promising galloper Full Reign secure a start in the Group 1 Railway Stakes.
Giadresco and his co-trainer son Matt have had a luckless run over the last two weeks with their stable's two most talented gallopers, Full Reign and Watermans Bay.
Full Reign, the first winner for the partnership, launched last month, was held up for clear running for the entire straight when eighth in the Northerly Stakes (1400m) last Saturday week.
Watermans Bay missed the start of last Saturday's Prince Of Wales Stakes (1200m) and was the victim of interference in the straight when he dropped out to finish last of 10.
But Peter Giadresco is certain his fortunes will change in the $125,000 Auto Classic Asian Beau Stakes (1400m), with the winner exempt from the ballot for the $1 million Carlton Draught Railway Stakes (1600m) on November 24.
Giadresco has no concerns about a massive ratings penalty for Full Reign, who is rated at just 73, if he wins the Asian Beau.
The son of Blackfriars showed his potential with a strong win over subsequent WA Oaks winner Pop Culture in the Challenge Stakes (1400m) at Ascot in February.
He returned from his three-year-old campaign with a fast-finishing win over 1300m at Belmont Park last month.
"He didn't have any luck last time and William (Pike) thought he went well despite not getting a chance," Giadresco said. "I was confident he would have run in the first three in that race.
"He needs to win to get a start in the Railway and we're trying to see how good the horse is.
"I think he's pretty handy and he looks like a good up-and-coming horse."
Full Reign will be ridden by Glenn Smith in the Group 3 feature. He is on the third line of betting with Player at $5.
Trainer Graham Yuill is confident Maschino, the $3.50 favourite, will figure in the finish.
Maschino earned favouritism for the Asian Beau when he stormed home to run a close-up third to King Saul in the Northerly.
"He's on par with where he was at last start," Yuill said.
·A blood sample taken from pacer Outstandin before he finished 10th in race seven at Gloucester Park on October 19 has returned an illegal level of total carbon dioxide.
Trainer Bryce McIntosh will face an inquiry on November 20.
