Knoydart Back In Challenge Stakes

Time/Date - 16.50hrs local time/Saturday, March 7, 2015
Racecourse/Country - Royal Randwick/Australia
Surface/Distance - Turf/5f

Knoydart makes his first start for nine months in the Group Two Hyland Race Colours Challenge Stakes over five furlongs at Royal Randwick, Australia on Saturday, March 7.

The John O'Shea-trained five-year-old drops down in distance after finishing 12th in the seven-furlong Group One Aami Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm on June 7.

He stayed on well to take fifth in the Group One James Boag's Doomben 10,000 over just short of seven furlongs at Doomben in May and was runner-up in the six-furlong Group Three Ticketek Hall Mark Stakes at Royal Randwick in April.

Knoydart, a dual Listed winner, was third in two of Australia's premier Group One sprints last season - the six-furlong Lexus Newmarket Handicap at Flemington and Caulfield's Sportingbet Oakleigh Plate over half a furlong shorter.

John O'Shea commented: "Knoydart has had an amazing preparation and I couldn't be happier with him.

"He is absolutely flying at the track and will find himself in a very fast run 1,000 metres here - I think the profile of the winner of this race will come from back in the field which Knoydart does.

"He is a very happy sound horse and hopefully that will be reflected in his performance here."

Knoydart, ridden by James McDonald, lines up against eight sprinters including Group Two Schillaci Stakes winner Rubick, dual Group Two scorer Miracles Of Life and Group One Galaxy third Villa Verde.