Interlocuter, Tally out to recapture form at Randwick

Interlocuter established himself as one of the most consistent horses in Godolphin’s Australian stable during his first two preparations in this country, winning five races and being placed in his other three.

Trainer James Cummings raised the stakes for the son of Medaglia d’Oro this time in, setting him a first-up assignment in the G3 Liverpool City Cup which he handled well enough, finishing sixth.

“There was nothing wrong with that run, he was tackling better horses first-up and he ran nicely,” Cummings said.

“He’s been out of the placings so far this preparation, but he galloped really strongly on Tuesday, and he steps up to 2000m here which should really play to the horse’s strengths.”

Tally will be attempting to reverse a slight form slump in the same race in which blinkers will be re-applied.

“He definitely has the strength now with some good solid races under his belt to be running a more positive race,” Cummings said.

Cummings is also looking forward to seeing Manicure make amends for a narrow, last-start defeat behind the classy Houtzen when she contests the G3 JHB Carr Stakes at Randwick.

“She looks like she’s trained on nicely for the step up to 1400m for the first time,” Cummings said.

“She’s got a lot of masculinity about her and she can use that to her advantage, combined with the set weights and penalties conditions which bring her in quite nicely.”

Manicure will be supported by stable companion Banish who is looking for initial Stakes success.

Banish has been luckless this preparation being blocked for a run in both starts but Cummings is hoping those circumstances will lead to an improvement.

“I think her failure to be fully extended will leave her with plenty of energy in reserve for this race,” he said.

Astoria completes the Stakes-race contenders on Saturday in the G3 Packer Plate, although Cummings is pondering a switch to Melbourne for the Listed VRC St Leger on Wednesday, 25 April.