Irish import Libran has been given the all clear to take on his stablemate Winx in the Group 1 $600,000 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Libran, above, has been passed fit to run in the 2018 Chipping Norton Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
The Chris Waller trained Libran was under a cloud because of a cut to his near side hip but the Racing New South Wales Veterinarian Surgeon Dr Tania Selig cleared the seven year old to take his place in the 1600m weight for age contest.
Racing New South Wales released the following statement on their website.
“Racing NSW Veterinarian Dr Tania Selig has inspected Libran today and found the small laceration the gelding sustained to his near-side hip has sufficiently healed. As a result Libran has been passed fit to take his place in the G1 TAB Chipping Norton Stakes.”
Libran will be having his first run back since finishing eighth to Rekindling in the 2017 Group 1 $6.25m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington and is rated a $51 chance in the Chipping Norton Stakes while Winx heads the betting at $1.09 at Ladbrokes.com.au.
Waller is expecting Libran to run well first up with his main Autumn Carnival target the Group 1 $2m Schweppes Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick on April 14.
“What you see is what you get with Libran,” Waller said.
“He takes a few runs to find his best form. Last time he did win second up over 2000m and I think he is on track to do the same.”
“You couldn’t expect him to beat the likes of Winx but he if runs a cheeky race I will be more than happy.”
“He will go to the Sky High Stakes in two weeks, the BMW and then into the Sydney Cup, exactly the same as Who Shot Thebarman.”
Libran has drawn barrier one in the nine horse Chipping Norton Stakes field with Brenton Avdulla taking the ride while Winx will jump from gate six with Hugh Bowman taking up his usual position in the saddle.
Waller will also saddle up tough stayer Who Shot Thebarman in the Chipping Norton who has drawn barrier three for Tye Angland and the nine year old is also heading towards the Sydney Cup.
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