Training duo out to bounce back from group 1 disappointment at Hawkesbury

Rosehill trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou will be looking to offset some of the disappointment of a narrow defeat in a group 1 at Rosehill at the weekend with two strong chances at Tuesday’s Hawkesbury meeting.

The Ryan and Alexiou-prepared Arctic Glamour was just edged out in the Coolmore Classic on Saturday, and the pair will attempt to bounce back from that defeat at Hawkesbury starting with Commanding Artist in the Pioneer Services Benchmark 64 Handicap (1500m).

Trainer Gerald Ryan.Credit: Getty Images

Jay Ford takes the ride on Commanding Artist, having been aboard in his past three starts.

“Commanding Artist has shown plenty of ability in his career and was a winner at Hawkesbury in December,” Ryan said.

“He ran second at Canterbury back in January and then gave a good account of himself again when a last-start second at Kembla Grange. He’s drawn to get a good run on Tuesday, and he’ll run very well again.”

Ryan and Alexiou will round out the day at Hawkesbury when Explicit, to be ridden by Chad Schofield, lines up in the Happy Birthday Ali Arndt Maiden Plate (1800m).

A well-bred Snitzel gelding out of Breakfast In Bed, Explicit has been placed in four of nine starts, including a last-start third at Warwick Farm.

“Chad has ridden the horse a number of times, including his last-start placing at Warwick Farm, so he knows the horse well now,” Ryan said.

“He’s lining up against some of the same horses he clashed with at Warwick Farm, and he managed to beat them home, so that’s a good pointer to his chances on Tuesday.”

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Schofield could be in for a lucrative day at Hawkesbury with the jockey having two other rides in addition to Explicit. He will link with Lupa Capitolina for trainer Joseph Pride in the Peter Smith Memorial 3YO Maiden Handicap (1300m).

Lupa Capitolina had three starts last year for an eighth and a fifth at Kembla Grange and a sixth at Newcastle. She resumes at Hawkesbury after two trials.

Schofield also rides last-start winner Lugarno for John Thompson in the Celebrating Darrin Voss Benchmark 64 Handicap (2000m).

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