Farolitos Seeks Carbine Crown And Maybe Sweynesse As Well

Time/Date - 12.45hrs local time/Saturday, April 4, 2015 Racecourse/Country - Royal Randwick/Australia
Surface/Distance - Turf/1m

Farolitos makes his Pattern debut in the mile Group Three Daily Telegraph Carbine Club Stakes at Royal Randwick, Australia, on Saturday, April 4.

The three-year-old colt, representing John O'Shea and ridden by James McDonald, has made five appearances in handicaps so far this season and was edged out in a photo finish when third on his latest start over a mile and Warwick Farm on March 19.

He was ninth in a mile contest at Royal Randwick on March 11 and gained a decisive victory over half a furlong shorter at Newcastle on February 19.

James McDonald, who has ridden Farolitos on his four most recent starts, partners the son of Exceed And Excel.

Sweynesse (John O'Shea/Sam Clipperton) could run as well but he is also in the Doncaster Mile as a reserve. He finished fourth in the Group One 10-furlong SKY Racing Rosehill Guineas at Rosehill Gardens on March 21 and second to Hallowed Crown in the Group One Girvan Waugh Randwick Guineas over a mile at Royal Randwick on March 7.

He was also second to Hallowed Crown in the Group Two Blackwoods CRC Hobartville Stakes over seven furlongs at Rosehill Gardens on February 21, and came home a close eighth in the 10-furlong Group One Sportingbet Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on October 25.

The son of Lonhro was third over the same trip in the Group One Moet & Chandon Spring Champion at Royal Randwick on October 11 and started his career with four straight victories including a pair of Group Three wins.

John O'Shea said: "Farolitos has been a model of consistency all through his preparation and now gets to his favourite trip of the mile at Randwick.

"From gate nine, he will roll forward and put himself into the race. It is a very strong version of the Carbine Club Stakes but he is in fine order and right at the top of his game.

"He will enjoy a bit of cut in the ground and with that in mind I think he will be very competitive here.

"Although Sweynesse is in the field, we expect him to get a run in the Doncaster Mile."

Farolitos tackles up to eight rivals headed by Group One George Ryder Stakes third Kermadec, Group Three fourth Hi World and Group Two runner-up Supara.