Strong gallop a positive lead to Viridine’s G1 prospects at Rosehill

A sparkling piece of work on the training track has raised hopes of a career-best performance from Viridine in the G1 Galaxy at Rosehill on Saturday, 24 March.

After creating a name for himself with wins at his first four starts, Viridine completed his spring campaign with a close-up fifth behind Merchant Navy in the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington last November.

Viridine (Brenton Avdulla) returned to racing with a fourth placing behind the high-class sprinter Redzel two weeks ago and gives every impression of having improved since.

“If he’s as ready as we feel he is, then he’s capable of running a very big race here” said trainer James Cummings.

“He’s really tightened up since he ran in the Challenge Stakes and he’s showing all the positive signs in his training.

“We were all really impressed with his first-up run, but we were even more impressed with him on Tuesday morning when he monstered the line in a track gallop.

“If we have Viridine spot on for the weekend, as we think we have, I think he’s going to be extremely competitive in a high-class race.”

Despite stepping up to G1-class, Viridine is confronted by a field that is no stronger than the one he met last time out in the G2 Challenge Stakes with the strongest contenders on paper appearing to be the multiple G1 winner Le Romain, the Melbourne visitor Supido and the progressive filly Sugar Bella.