Queensland Guineas winner Kolding is a real live lightweight chance for the 2019 Epsom Handicap after storming home to win the Group 3 $160,000 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) at Randwick today.
Kolding, above, arrives in time to win the Bill Ritchie Handicap at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
The Chris Waller trained Kolding has only 50.5kg for the Group 1 $1m Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on October 5 and his win in the Bill Ritchie Handicap gives him an exemption from the ballot for the Epsom and he will also escape a penalty.
“It’s a good weight. He has a sense of timing. It is the race we’ve set him for after running in the Queensland Guineas. And he’s got the right colours too. It was good to see him fight strongly the last 50m when it looked like he was going to be beaten,” Waller said.
“That was a great finish. Shows you what the bob of the heads does in terms of luck on race day.”
Kolding ($7) with Glen Boss in the saddle came from near the tail of the filed on the home turn to grab Nash Rawiller and Fierce Impact ($10) in the shadows of the post.
The leader Desert Lord ($5.50) fought on well to hang on for third placing ahead of the $4.20 favourite Cascadian who had trouble securing a clear run in the straight.
Waller pulled the right rein when he scratched Kolding from the Group 3 $160,000 Australian Bloodstock Cameron Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle on Friday and the Ocean Park four year old is now marked at $10 for the Epsom Handicap at Ladbrokes.com.au.
Kolding worked his way up through the grades last campaign as a three year old and claimed his fourth win on the trot with his victory in the Group 2 $350,000 Ascot Green Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Eagle Farm during the 2019 Brisbane Winter Carnival.
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