Glamour appeals to Villiers Stakes test

Trainer Mark Newnham is hoping to capitalise a few key factors when he saddles up Greysful Glamour in Saturday’s Group 2 Villiers Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.

Newnham, who won last year’s Villiers with Quackerjack, is keen to make the most of his stunning grey’s return to top form and believes she can make the most of the dry summer track this weekend.

“She is going well and it is important to keep her going at the moment when the tracks are dry,” Newnham said.

“When we get into the autumn she isn’t suited by a lot of the tracks so this is her time of year.”

Newnham admits the Villiers Stakes wasn’t always on the radar for Greysful Glamour but was encouraged to head to the race following her last start success.

The daughter of Stratum returned from Melbourne to salute the Listed ATC Cup (2000m) on November 28 and Newnham had another Cup on his radar.

“We were probably more aiming at the Summer Cup with her but she would have been a month between runs so it made sense to run her here instead of trialling her again,” Newnham said.

“She is in good form and her last run over the Randwick mile was good.

“She has done well since her last win so there was no reason to run her.”

Greysful Glamour opened on the second line of betting at $9 with TAB.com.au for the Villiers Stakes where she will be piloted by Rachel King.

A list of 21 horses have been nominated for the Villiers Stakes which offers a ballot exemption to next year’s Doncaster Mile.

Newnham also has Spirit Ridge nominated but said the lightly-raced import is likely to go to a benchmark 88 handicap over 1600m instead.

The stable will also target a feature double with the unraced Mission Value to line up in the $500,000 Inglis Nursery for two-year-olds.

The Capitalist colt has been given two trials in preparation for his debut.

“He has got quite a bit of talent and is quite a bit horse, it is just a matter of if needs a bit of time,” Newnham said.

“He should improve with blinkers on.”