News

All Silent to carry 54.5kg in Stradbroke

11th May 2009

Racing And Sports - Monday, 11 May 2009

Stradbroke Handicap favourite All Silent (pictured) has received the weight trainer Grahame Begg expected, but more than he had hoped for, in the Brisbane feature.

All Silent was given 54.5 kilograms when weights were released, with Apache Cat topweight on 60kg.

Although All Silent carried 54.5kg in the Doncaster Handicap, that was after weights were forced up half a kilo.

"It's what I expected but I thought he might drop a kilo," Begg said.

"He didn't win the Doncaster and he didn't win the All-Aged.

"He had 54 in the Doncaster and then the weights had to go up."

All Silent's Sydney autumn campaign was thwarted by rain-affected tracks and he finished fourth in the George Ryder Stakes and 10th in the Doncaster, starting favourite in both.

Before he tackles the $1 million Stradbroke (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 6, All Silent will run in the Doomben 10,000 two weeks earlier.

If he wins the 10,000 (1350m) All Silent could find himself carrying even more in the Stradbroke under the conditions of the race.

"It doesn't happen anywhere else in Australia that the winner of a weight-for-age race can get a penalty in a handicap," Begg said.

"Imagine if it happened to horses running in the Mackinnon going into the Melbourne Cup or the Caulfield Stakes into the Caulfield cup.

"It is astonishing."

Reservations aside, Begg is more than happy with All Silent since he ran two lengths eighth in the All-Aged Stakes on Anzac Day.

"He will have a gallop between races at Randwick on Wednesday and leave for Brisbane on Friday," Begg said.

"He had the two runs, the Doncaster and All-Aged, seven days apart so he has had a bit of an easy time since.

"I'm just hoping he can get tracks to suit."

Racing To Win, who is due to run in Saturday's Doomben Cup (2020m), received 58.5kg for the Stradbroke followed by Marasco (55.5kg) and All-Aged Stakes winner Danleigh and Patinack Classic winner Swick both on 55kg.

Joining All Silent on 54.5kg are Forensics, Light Fantastic, Swiss Ace, Triple Honour and 2007 Stradbroke winner Sniper's Bullet.

Three-year-old Duporth, who claimed his first Group One victory in Saturday's BTC Cup, received 52.5kg.

All Silent remained the $8 Stradbroke favourite with TAB Sportsbet on Tuesday ahead of Apache Cat, Bank Robber and Danleigh on $9.

Duporth, Light Fantastic, Black Piranha and El Cambio were all at $11.