In-form Mariamia poised to get Expressway Stakes shot
Mariamia is set to line up in the Expressway Stakes. Picture: Jeremy Ng-Getty Images
When trainer Joe Pride saw a tiny list of nominations for Saturday's Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Randwick, he thought he had to give in-form more Mariamia her shot.
Just four nominations were taken for the $250,000 feature on Monday before a wave of new contenders put their hand up over the next 24 hours when entries were extended.
Mariamia was one of them with a final field of nine officially declared for the Expressway Stakes, headlined by Group 1 winners Golden Mile and Forbidden Love.
"I wasn't originally going to nominate because I thought it would come up a bit strong and heavy numbers but when I saw the nominations, I thought well she is up and ready to go," Pride said.
"She has had a run back and won.
"I would say there's a good chance she runs now as we are still looking at the same horses, there is just a bit more traffic in the race."
Mariamia will chase back-to-back wins at Randwick. Picture: Jeremy Ng-Getty Images
Bookies rate Mariamia among the leading chances for the Expressway Stakes with TAB installing her as a $5.50 third elect while Golden Mile ($2.30) and Forbidden Love ($2.50) fight for favouritism.
Unlike her two main rivals, Mariamia has a run under her belt after winning a Benchmark 88 over 1100m at Rosehill on January 14.
The Toronado mare was given another 12 months to race after connections had considered sending her to the breeding barn and will get the chance to snare a black type win.
"She is a lovely mare and very easy to deal with," Pride said.
"I think is in for a really good autumn preparation and there is another opportunity to potentially for her on Saturday.
"She is very versatile, wet or dry isn‘t a problem for her and she is very tough and sound."
King's Gambit returns in the Canonbury Stakes. Picture: Vince Caligiuri-Getty Images
Saturday will also see the return of Golden Slipper favourite King's Gambit in the $200,000 Group 3 Canonbury Stakes (1100m).
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained colt is a red-hot $1.40 elect for the two-year-old feature with James McDonald in the saddle.
King's Gambit will take on just five rivals in the Canonbury including Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained colt Red Resistance ($5.50) and Chris Waller's blue blood colt Shinzo ($5.50).
The Group 3 Widden Stakes for the fillies has drawn a field of 12 with Annabel Neasham's debutant Learning To Fly well backed from $4.80 into $3.50 favouritism in early betting.
Gimcrack Stakes runner up Perfect Proposal is a $5.50 second elect in her first run back from a break.
