An exciting field has been nominated for Saturday’s Listed Winter Challenge at Randwick with 2020 winner Mugatoo set to return.
Pulling up just shy of 50 lengths last when suffering a tendon injury in last year’s Doomben Cup, 2021 All-Star Mile winner Mugatoo is set to make his long-awaited return to the racetrack in Saturday’s Listed Winter Challenge (1500m).
Returning in the same race two-years ago when saluting, the Kris Lees team will be hoping to replicate the result and once again set-up a big spring campaign for their Henrythenavigator gelding.
In what is sure to be a thrilling spectacle, the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace stable has nominated the talented Gold Trip to make his Australian debut.
Already a Group 2 winner in France, the son of Outstrip brings imposing form lines into the $160,000 feature with three top-three finishes at Group 1 level and a fourth in the 2020 L’Arc.
Tasting success a staggering six times in the race since its 2012 inception, champion trainer Chris Waller has nominated Oscar Zulu, Zing and Durston for the race – the latter set to make his stable debut after switching from the Maher and Eustace barn.
Other intriguing nominations for the contest include the in-form Jojo Was A Man – who was defeated narrowly a fortnight ago in the Winter Stakes, Looks Like Elvis, Edison and Chief Altony.
The Maher & Eustace crew will be looking to cash in on Saturday with a host of other likely types including Easy Single in the July Sprint (1100m), and Blaze A Trail and Quintello in the 1300m BM88.
Currently rated a Heavy 9, forecast wet weather for the remainder of the week will ensure the track remains rain effected.
The rail sits out 12 metres the course entire.
