Kensington preview: Unico looking to claim final Sydney two-year-old race of the season

The famous racing colours of mighty mare Winx make a return to Sydney racing when Unico contests the final two-year-old race of the season at Kensington on Wednesday.

Unico reunites the Winx combination of trainer Chris Waller and jockey Hugh Bowman with part-owner Peter Tighe and his silks of dark blue, white ‘M’, epaulettes and pom pom in the Vinery Stud Handicap (1100m).

Tighe said his colours have rarely been worn in Sydney since Bowman rode Winx to win her 33rd race in succession in the 2019 Queen Elizabeth Stakes before more than 43,000 fans at Royal Randwick before the champion was retired to stud.

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Peter Tighe, part owner of Winx and also Unico who makes his Sydney debut at Kensington on Wednesday.Source:News Corp Australia

It will be vastly different at Randwick’s Kensington meeting with Sydney’s lockdown meaning Tighe’s colours will be worn by Bowman before empty grandstands.

“I’ve had a couple of runners in my colours in Melbourne and a few in Brisbane but I can’t remember the last time I had a Sydney starter,” Tighe said.

Unico, a chestnut colt by Nicconi, has been to the races once previously when he ran second at Werribee earlier this season.

Waller then brought Unico back his Rosehill stable base with the colt running a close fifth in a Randwick barrier trial earlier this month.

“Unico has been a bit immature and Chris has given him plenty of time,” Tighe said.

“We are hoping he is a surprise packet and can keep improving. It’s a big field and I’d say most will run as this is the last two-year-old race they can get into.

“But he has the right barrier, Chris is happy with the colt, he’s done everything right and we are looking forward to the race to see what he has got.”

Winx is in great health ahead of the breeding season. Source https://www.instagram.com/p/B_4bT0mpJAr/Source:Supplied

Unico is being kept safe at $7.50 in latest TAB Fixed Odds betting behind first starter Have Mercy at $3.80 favourite.

Tighe also provided an update on Winx, the holder of two world records for most Group 1 wins (25) and prizemoney ($26.4 million), who sadly lost her first foal, a filly by I Am Invincible last October.

Winx has been given a full year to recover from her ordeal and Tighe confirmed plans are being made for the mare to go back to the breeding barn this spring.

Tighe said the Winx ownership group are due to meet soon to select a stallion for the mare with an announcement expected in the next two weeks.

“Winx is going really well, she’s in great health and is enjoying life on the farm,” Tighe said.

“It’s in a paddock with a couple of other broodmares that she lived with last year when they were all pregnant. She gets on well them.

“Hopefully, Winx can get in foal this spring breeding season and carry full term.

“Fingers crossed it would be nice to think this time next year she gives birth to a healthy foal.”

HARADA IS PRIMED FOR HIS KENSINGTON BOUT

Notabadharada, arguably the toughest horse in training, is set to deliver a knockout blow in the Ranvet Handicap (2400m) at Randwick’s Kensington meeting on Wednesday.

“This is the race Notabadharada has been set for,” co-trainer Greg Lee said.

“He runs his best races on this track and he needs the 2400m. He shouldn’t be at such big odds.”

In latest TAB Fixed Odds betting, Notabadharada is at $15 behind Bethencourt at $2.90 favourite with Shuffle Up next at $5.

But Lee said Notabadharada’s last start fourth behind Mr Gee and Shuffle Up over 1800m on the Kensington track seven days ago was the perfect lead-up for this race.

“He was a bit unlucky last start, he got held up and ran on very well,” Lee said.

“Over 2400m, he might be able to settle a touch closer. He does come off the bit at the half mile (800m) but Louise Day is riding the horse and she knows him well.”

Notabadharada, who’s stable name is “Fighting” after the former Japanese boxing great, Fighting Harada, joined the Jim and Greg Lee stable in January, 2019 and has not been sent for a spell since.

In fact, in the 31 months he has been trained by the Lee brothers, Notabadharada has contested 60 races. The longest break he has had between runs is seven weeks.

Greg Lee is confident Kosciusko will give a great sight at Kensington on Wednesday. Photo: Grant GuySource:The Daily Telegraph

“I’ve put him out in the paddock a couple of times but he doesn’t like it and loses condition,” Lee said. “He’s one of those horses that loves being in training.”

The Lee stable has four entries for the Kensington meeting including juvenile Fredfred who makes his debut in the Vinery Stud Handicap (1100m).

Fredfred is the $151 rank outsider but he will get noticed when he walks into the parade ring because of his sheer size.

“He is the biggest horse I’ve trained,” Lee revealed.

“I would say he is nearly 18 hands already and would weigh close to 700kg – for a two-year-old he’s a giant.

“He needs the race experience but in time he is going to be a nice horse and will get over 2000m.”

Lee was more confident about the chances of Kosciusko ($26) in the China Horse Club Handicap (1150m).

“Kosciusko has had two runs back from a spell and he has needed those runs, he’s at his peak now,” Lee said. “He’s got good early speed and will be right up there. He is going to be hard to beat.”

Lee also has Ladies’ Gem entered for the Heineken Handicap (1550m) but might reserve the last start Newcastle winner for Wyong on Thursday.

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Originally published asKensington preview: Team Winx are back on show

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