G1 Test For Obscura At Randwick

The maiden colt Obscura finds himself up against one the best two-year-old fillies seen in Sydney this Autumn when he runs in the G1 Champagne Stakes at Randwick on Saturday, April 16.

But he goes into the race with the confidence of a trainer who believes he will acquit himself well.

Obscura (John O'Shea/James McDonald) tackles the G1 Sires Produce Stakes winner Yankee Rose, a filly who was also runner-up in the G1 Golden Slipper Stakes.

"It will certainly be a test for him, but he's shown us that he's a very good colt in what he's done in his two starts and what he's done at home this week, which was very good," said trainer John O'Shea.

Obscura is one of a strong Godolphin team on the final day of the Randwick Autumn meeting that includes the imported runner Havana Cooler in the G3 JRA Plate, Pearls in the G3 JHB Carr Stakes, Federal and Knoydart in the G3 Hall Mark Stakes and Old North and Asinara in the G3 Frank Packer Plate.

Havana Cooler (John O'Shea/James McDonald) is on trial for a Brisbane campaign and his trainer is satisfied the 2000m of Saturday's race is ideal for the son of Hurricane Run who scored his first Australian win last time out when taking the G3 Doncaster Prelude.

"Since he joined us over a year ago he's never looked better, he's nice and round and healthy and his work has been very solid," O'Shea said.

A glimpse of form at her last start has given the stable renewed confidence in the three-year-old filly Pearls (John O'Shea/James McDonald) who returns to the course and distance of her victory in last year's G2 Tea Rose Stakes.

"This is her pet distance and her work leading into this race has been better than before her previous run," O'Shea said.

Another Randwick specialist, Federal (John O'Shea/James McDonald), has a wide gate to contend with in the G3 Hall Mark Stakes, but the quality of his last start win keeps him among the prospects.

He will be accompanied in the race by Knoydart (John O'Shea/Tim Clark) a dual G1 placegetter who is in blinkers for the first time in an attempt to encourage a return to form.