Schiller Chasing A Group 1 Reward Fit For A King

Tyler Schiller would like nothing more than to send his boss Mark Newnham off to Hong Kong with a Group 1 win and he has the chance when he partners King Frankel at Randwick on Saturday.

Sydney's reigning champion apprentice said the Group 1 $2m Schweppes Sydney Cup (3200m) is likely his last chance to snare a major for Newnham with the trainer due to leave in the coming months.

Of course the 24-year-old posted his first Group 1 win on Mariamia in the Galaxy on Golden Slipper Day.

And Schiller knows Newnham has plotted King Frankel’s path to the Sydney Cup meticulously so is confident the gelding has had the grounding for the two mile test.

“I’d love to ride a big winner for Mark,’’ Schiller said.

“When I won the Albury Cup for him last year I thought it was pretty special but now to actually ride for him in Group 1s it’s even better.

“He’s gone through the right races, Mark’s planned his races a long way out.

“Two runs back wasn’t his grand final so I didn’t want to bust him but the other week he had a good blow out to make sure he’d get the 2400m with a big weight.”

That was in the Group 1 Tancred Stakes at weight-for-age where King Frankel took off before the home turn and put the pressure on Knights Order.

He hit the lead at the 200m and was only claimed as they passed the 100m, finishing a close third behind Arapaho and he’ll drop 9kg into the Cup.

“He’s a very good winded horse, he recovers very quickly and he came back to the mounting yard without too much of a blow,’’ Schiller said.

“I’d say he’s had a good hitout but it won’t bust him.”

While King Frankel, $8 with TAB on Thursday, is yet to be tested beyond 2400m, Schiller said he has the right attributes to run it right out – but would like an improving track to assist.

“It’s important to get them relaxed and do the first half right and if they are breathing they will finish the race off,’’ he said.

“He has great staying potential. His mum couldn’t get past 2400m but I think he’s a different kettle of fish. His breathing is so good and it feels like he will stay.”

A wet track certainly doesn’t bother Fireburn for her attempt at a piece of history in the Group 1 $1m The Star Australian Oaks (2400m).

The last Golden Slipper winner to take out the Oaks at three was Bounding Away back in 1987 and after Fireburn ran third in the Vinery Stud Stakes at 2000m it gave Schiller the view that with an economical run she could run the classic trip.

“She jumped nicely and put herself on speed finally and got herself in the race,’’ he said.

“I thought at the end of the 2000m she was strong, which was what I was hoping for, and I was happy with how she ran through the line.

“She doesn’t mind a heavy track so she probably handled it better than most did that day but it wasn’t the best ground.

“But if she can get out and get her momentum up on a wet track that she likes she’s ging to be a lot more suited. All she has to do is run the trip.”

Fireburn was a $6.50 chance with TAB on Thursday.