Raiment, Couvre Lit and Interlocuter all Stakes prospects at Randwick

A landmark day for a pair of Godolphin fillies is looming at Randwick on Saturday, March 3 with the four-year-old Raiment joining her younger stablemate Couvre Lit on a card brimming with strong prospects for the Australian stable.

Raiment (Tye Angland) runs in the G2 Guy Walter Stakes where she has conditions to suit in her attempt to add a third Stakes success to her record.

The Street Cry mare has won twice at G3 level, on a heavy track on both occasions, the most recent in the G3 James Carr Stakes in April last year when she trounced a handy field by 4-1/2 lengths.

Trainer James Cummings said her work on the training track and the conditions should suit the filly.

“Raiment is going to love getting her toe into the ground this weekend,” Cummings said.

“She’s back to the track and distance where she obliterated her rivals last April and she worked really strongly this week.” 

“If she could win a race like this then she puts herself up as a candidate for a race like the Coolmore Stakes at G1 level.”

Couvre Lit (Glyn Schofield), a daughter of Bernardini, is up in grade in Saturday’s G2 Sweet Embrace Stakes after winning a juvenile maiden at Warwick Farm on 14 February, but her trainer is undaunted.

“She bumps into some impressive fillies in a strong field at Randwick, but I feel that she’s improved since her win at Warwick Farm and she can be competitive,” Cummings said.

“The prospect of some rain could make things a bit interesting, but she just gives a good feeling about the way she’s trained on.”

The stable’s other Stakes runner for the day is Interlocuter who hasn’t missed a place in his eight Australian starts since joining the local team after beginning his career in France.

Interlocuter (Tye Angland) runs in the G3 Liverpool City Cup at his first outing since finishing third in the G2 Villiers Stakes in December.

“The 1300m might look too short but he won first time out last preparation and he’s only had a short break so he’s retained some fitness,” Cummings said.

“He’s going to enjoy the sting out of the track and he’ll have the flashing lights on him over the concluding stages.”