News

Grahame Begg wary of Whobegotyou

29th Mar 2009

The Daily Telegraph - Brent Zerafa - Monday, 30 March 2009

RIVAL trainer Grahame Begg has conceded that boom three-year-old Whobegotyou is the horse to beat in the George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Begg, trainer of equal Doncaster Mile favourite All Silent, said the weight relief for Whobegotyou was crucial and gave him an edge over his older opponents.

"It is shaping as a crack race but I think Whobegotyou is the one to beat," Begg said.

"Three-year-olds have a great record in the race and his run last start was outstanding.

"He was second-up and got stood on his head at the top of the straight and still managed to get very close to them. They (three-year-olds) are nicely weighted, especially at this time of the year."

The weight-for-age race has been dominated by three-year-olds in recent years, with Weekend Hussler (2008), Haradasun (2007) and Racing To Win (2006) all victorious.

Both Haradasun and Racing To Win won the George Ryder before progressing to win the Doncaster.

But Begg has not given up hope that All Silent can win his first Group One race in Sydney in the George Ryder.

"He is ticking over nicely and starting to get to a distance that suits," Begg said.

"He showed that he has come back in top shape and he should go close again on Saturday."

The George Ryder is set to attract a crack field including All Silent, Whobegotyou, Alamosa, Light Fantastic, Pompeii Ruler, Littorio, Mentality, Northern Meteor, El Cambio and Royal Discretion.

All Silent will be ridden by Damien Oliver who has a strong chance in each of the five Group One races on Saturday. Oliver will also ride Real Saga in the Golden Slipper, Gallica in the Storm Queen Stakes, Master O'Reilly in the BMW and Culminate in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes.