Co-trainers Grant and Alana Williams will attempt to lower the boom on Scales Of Justice with three runners in Saturday’s Group III Hyperion Stakes (1600m) at Belmont.
Disposition will aim to return to the winners’ list in the Group III Hyperion Stakes at Ascot on Saturday. Photo: Darryl Sherer
With 24 wins and more than $1.8 million in prizemoney between them, Disposition, Zarantz, and I’m Feeling Lucky form a formidable trio for the Karnup-based conditioners in the $150,000 weight-for-age contest.
However, the race’s main drawcard is reigning Railway Stakes champion Scales Of Justice for Casuarina trainer Lindsey Smith.
Grant Williams acknowledges that Scales Of Justice will be the horse to beat in the 2017 Hyperion Stakes but also has healthy respect for his own runners.
Victorians would be familiar with Disposition after the son of Reset spent 2015 with Lee and Anthony Freedman on the Mornington Peninsula.
During that 12-month period, Disposition was twice runner-up at Group I level and won a Group III and Listed race.
The five-year-old gelding is yet to win since returning to his home state but his last start third in the Group III Belmont Sprint (1400m) has given Williams confidence.
“Disposition is probably the pick of the three,” he said. “This is his second prep back with us and his last run was really good.
“The mile should suit and I’m very happy with him.
“This is possibly his last run for the winter and then we’ll get him ready for the Railway.”
Zarantz, a winner from 1400 metres up to 3200 metres, must be the most versatile son of Choisir currently racing in Australia.
Williams said the six-year-old gelding had “freshened-up nicely” since winning over two miles at Ascot in April.
“He’s a ripper,” Williams said.
“He’s been carrying big weights in the staying handicaps – the Bunbury and Pinjarra Cups – whether he’s up to weight-for-age I’m not quite sure but he’s working as good as ever and I think the mile will suit fresh.”
The stable’s other runner, I’m Feeling Lucky, is a 10-time winning mare set to make her debut in weight-for-age company.
“This is a good test for her but she’s drawn a nice barrier and she can probably take advantage of it as the horse to beat will most likely be in front,” Williams said.
“If she’s anywhere near her best she could sneak into a place but it wouldn’t surprise me if she won either.
“She had a hiccup last start where she didn’t pull up very well so we had to trial her at Lark Hill to get her back on track but she was excellent in the trial even though she was expected to win easily.”
Meanwhile, the Rhys Radford-trained Great Shot was a non-acceptor for the Hyperion Stakes due to a career-threatening spinal condition.
Tom Walter: racenet