Theseo primed for Chelmsford

By Mathew Toogood

SYDNEY, Sept 2 AAP - Impressive second-up statistics and the home track advantage have leading jockey Nash Rawiller bullish about weight-for-age star Theseo's Chelmsford Stakes prospects.

The Gai Waterhouse-trained warhorse ran his usual genuine race in the Warwick Stakes, finishing fifth as Metal Bender led in a Chris Waller trifecta.

Theseo has proven in the past that he's a much tougher proposition at his second run back, winning the Group One Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) and Group Two St George Stakes (1800m) at his past two second-up appearances.

With that in mind, Rawiller senses his favourite horse is ready to produce another supreme effort in the Group Two Chelmsford (1600m) at Randwick where the Waller-trained Metal Bender and Triple Honour loom as the main challengers.

"I was over the moon with Theseo first-up, he's come back really well," Rawiller said.

"He always seems to take a run first-up and generally second-up he is a lot better."

Theseo was in his customary role at Warwick Farm and led the field into the straight.

After being headed turning for home, the five-time Group One winner clawed his way back on level terms momentarily, prompting Rawiller to entertain the thought of an against-the-odds first-up victory.

"I did, just for a fleeting moment, think `he's going to get up and do it again here'," Rawiller said.

"He did every bit as much as what I expected him to do though.

"I just thought it was important that he came through it well, he felt good in the run and he let down nicely.

"When they came to him at about the 180 (metre mark) he dug deep and fought his way back but then tired the last 100.

"He seems a lot fitter and a lot brighter racehorse heading into this race."

Waller elected to split his Warwick Stakes trio this weekend with Metal Bender and Triple Honour remaining in Sydney to tackle Theseo in the Chelmsford while Danleigh was sent to Melbourne where he is the favourite for the Group Two Makybe Diva Stakes over the same distance.

Metal Bender's impressive first-up win has seen the five-year-old installed the $2.50 favourite for the Chelmsford just ahead of Theseo at $3.20 while Triple Honour is the $4.60 third pick in the field of nine.

Rawiller will commence a careless riding suspension after Saturday's Chelmsford meeting.

Last season's Sydney premiership winner and leading Group One rider incurred the suspension in last week's Group One Golden Rose which will keep him out of the saddle until September 24.

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