Encryption and Qewy seeking G3 success at Flemington
A potential young star and a reliable old-stayer offer contrasting views of the Godolphin team at Flemington on Saturday.
At one end of the scale is Encryption, a two-year-old colt who has his second start in the G3 Maribyrnong Plate.
At the other is Qewy a multiple Stakes winner on the flat who has also had nine runs over jumps and will be attempting his fourth Australian victory when he runs in the G3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Encryption (James Cummings/Damian Lane), a son of the four-time G1-winning mare Guelph, made his debut at Caulfield last month, finishing third over 1000m.
“He was luckless on debut at Caulfield. Since then he’s been ticking over nicely and enjoyed a little jump out at Flemington last Friday to be ready for this,” said trainer James Cummings.
“That was his second time up the straight, so he’s had experience that is always a benefit on this track.”
Encryption will be accompanied by Sanglier (James Cummings/Dwayne Dunn) who also showed promise on debut when he failed to get a clear run and finished sixth over Saturday’s course and distance.
Qewy has earned A$874,000 from his 28 starts with more than A$700,000 of it coming from his four runs in Australia, the latest when winning of the G3 Bendigo Cup on 1 November.
“We felt that Qewy needed a bit more time after his victory in the Bendigo Cup, which is why we missed the Melbourne Cup,” said trainer Charlie Appleby.
“He is looking better with each day and the step up in trip will suit. If he carries on his progression, he should be very competitive.”
Godolphin’s Flemington Stakes-race contingent on Saturday is completed by Trekking (James Cummings/Brenton Avdulla) who will have a gear change in an effort to encourage his best form in the Listed Emirates Airline Handicap.
“He’s been quite fierce between his last run and now, so we’ll be taking the winkers (cheek pieces) off him,” Cummings said.
“He’s certainly got the turn of foot of a horse that is capable of winning this race.”
