Saturday Spotlight: Showcourt
Showcourt
Trainer: Chris Waller
Race: Todman Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m)
The Chris Waller-trained Showcourt (Snitzel) will take to the track for the second time in his career when he contests the Todman Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) at Randwick today.
Currently rated a $12 chance for the Group 2 feature, the two-year-old finished third in a 1200-metre Canterbury maiden on his debut outing on February 18, that race following a fifth and seventh in two Rosehill trials.
Showcourt was forced back early that day from his wide draw in barrier eight of ten, but put in some nice work at the finish under Hugh Bowman to be only three-lengths behind the re-opposing Psychiatrist (Exceed And Excel).
Bred by Arrowfield Stud, a yearling by their resident multiple champion sire Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice), the colt was a $550,000 purchase at last year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and is now owned by Orbis Bloodstock.
The sixth foal out of the Ustinov (Seeking The Gold) mare Miss Sharapova, a three-time winner that was placed in the Lowland Stakes (Gr 3, 2100m), Showcourt is a three-quarter brother to 2017 BRC Mode Plate (Listed, 1200m) winner Pretty Fast (Not A Single Doubt) and Danehill Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) and Kindgarten Stakes (Gr 3, 1100m) winner Doubtland (Not A Single Doubt), while the mare has produced two other winners.
With excess rainfall in the area, the track at Randwick is currently rated a Heavy 10, conditions that could well suit Showcourt given that Doubtland was at his best on soft going, including for his Group-race successes, which were won on Heavy 8 and Soft 5 tracks respectively.
Set to be ridden by James McDonald, the colt will jump from barrier seven in the nine-runner $300,000 contest, a key lead up to the Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m) on March 19.