Durrant Trio Primed For Scahill
14 December, 2018
Thoroughbred
Last season’s leading trainer Adam Durrant is confident he has his three runners in the right condition to take out the Group 3 Scahill Stakes (1400m) at Ascot tomorrow.
Durrant saddles up leading fancy Arcadia Prince in the Weight-For-Age feature, while he also has last start Listed winner Pinzu and enigmatic galloper State Solicitor engaged.
A winner at six of his 12 career starts, as well as three of four this campaign, Arcadia Prince will be looking to join his sister Arcadia Queen as a feature race winner this carnival.
William Pike elected to ride Arcadia Prince instead of State Solicitor and Durrant said he was capable of stepping up to Group company tomorrow.
“His form speaks for itself,” he told TABradio.
“He’s been building every run this preparation.
“It’s not an easy task coming out of restricted grade and into Weight-For-Age.
“He’s definitely the number one chance of our three.”
State Solicitor is the other runner that will carry the cerise and white colours of owner-breeders Bob and Sandra Peters in the Scahill Stakes, with Chris Parnham on board.
The six-year-old has been unplaced in three runs this campaign and finished fifth in the race last year.
Despite his mixed form, Durrant said he was hopeful State Solicitor could re-discover his best tomorrow.
“He’s been in short races all his runs,” he said.
“His 1400m trial (on December 3) was pretty impressive.
“He looks like a horse that wants a bit further.”
Glenn Smith replaces Damian Lane aboard Pinzu, with Lane taking the ride on TABtouch favourite Valour Road in the Group 3 feature.
Pinzu recorded his first feature win in the Carbine Club Stakes (1400m) on November 24 and Durrant said the gelding was capable of making it back-to-back wins tomorrow.
“He won well first-up and usually when he runs like that, he holds his form well,” he said.
“It looks tough for him against some of those better ones.
“He’s certainly not out of it.”
The Scahill Stakes jumps at 3.19 tomorrow afternoon.
Tim Walker