Newcastle-based trainer Nathan Doyle is hoping to bookend the Randwick card with a new stable recruit and another galloper who is bursting to win a city race.
Doyle only has the two runners at the meeting on Saturday beginning with stable newcomer Favra, who will run in the opening race the Benchmark 72 over 1100 metres.
His enigmatic mare Strawb will round out the meeting in the Benchmark 78 Handicap over 1500m.
The Dissident gelding Favra is having his first start for Doyle, following a couple of preparations with Rosehill-based trainer Gerald Ryan, who is still a part-owner.
“He’s a good owner, they let me train him with an open book,” Doyle said.
Doyle believes the perceived fast tempo of the race will suit the four-year-old first-up, and has looked back on his best runs for Ryan as a pointer for this race.
“There seems to be a lot of speed in the race and I just kept going back to his first up run over 1100m at Warwick Farm a couple of preparations back,” Doyle said.
“He’s only a little horse and has always been carrying those big weights so it’s good to get him down to 55.5 kg.”
“Sam (Clipperton) has had a bit of luck for us and always rides well so I didn’t see a reason why not to put him on.”
Doyle will finish off the day with his Fastnet Rock mare Strawb, who has shown plenty of ability with four wins from her 10 starts to date.
Strawb also joined Doyle’s stable early last year after having had one start for the Stirling Osland stable for a win at Coffs Harbour.
The five-year-old mare has finished second at her last two Warwick Farm starts, and Doyle believes the step up in trip and bigger track at Randwick will suit her.
“She’s been a frustrating horse to train that’s for sure,” Doyle said.
“I feel she’s been crying out for the 1500m.”
“At her last two runs at Warwick Farm she seemed to wobble around the corner and the bigger track at Randwick will certainly suit.”
The track is currently rated a Soft 7 with the first race scheduled for 1.15pm.
