Pharaoh Ready to Rule

08:00 28 November 2025
GRNSW News
A wide draw caused My Pharaoh to be beaten under a length when second at Wentworth Park last Saturday night, and the Susan Smith-trained dog should only need to jump cleanly to make amends this week.

My Pharaoh has box two in the top grade Mark Hughes Foundation Stakes, and possesses sufficient early pace to lead all the way.

Last week Trio Of Clowns began brilliantly from box two and was able to retain the lead at the first turn, despite being pressed on the outside by My Pharaoh, who had jumped from box seven and was attempting to reach the inside.

My Pharaoh was pushed back to third in the middle stages but when he found the rails he powered home, cutting Rema's Amethyst out of second prizemoney and winding up just three-quarters of a length behind Trio Of Clowns.

Susan Smith, My Pharaoh's trainer, said: "He definitely prefers an inside box.''

Smith's box draw fortunes have improved this week with My Pharaoh's younger half sister, My Cupcake, drawing box one in Saturday's Ladbrokes Sports Bar 520m fifth grade.

My Cupcake was a last start winner over 400m at The Gardens, overcoming a bad getaway from an unsuitable box eight draw to win narrowly.

She showed remarkable track sense in that event, circling around the outside of the field before darting across to the rails just before the home bend  to snatch victory in the straight.

Susan Smith said: "My Cupcake is also well drawn although box one can be a bit funny at Wentworth Park.

"Good beginners sometimes seem to miss the kick from box one, so I'm hoping My Cupcake nails the start.''

Intrepid Eagle, who has not raced since a luckless fifth in a Million Dollar Chase heat at Nowra on September 22, returns to Wentworth Park in Saturday night's The Lids Fly On Ladbrokes Live Channels 520m fifth grade.

Trainer Wayne Bradley said: "He has had a couple of trials and has been ticking along nicely.

"Intrepid Eagle had a bumping duel with Jungle Johnny in the early stages of the Nowra race before finishing fifth, and before that had contested the group one Megastar series at Dapto.

"He is back into a fifth grade on Saturday and has finally put all the little niggling problems behind him.''


Intrepid Eagle

Trainer Alan Proctor has two runners in Saturday's 520m Ladbrokes Wentworth Park Encouragement Stakes but leans towards Hello Cindy Lou ahead of Tawawi Brumby as his better chance.

"I was a bit disappointed with Tarawi Brumby's second at Bulli on Tuesday night and while he is boxed okay in two, Hello Cindy Lou is suited out wide in box six.

"And she has a bit of early pace so has a chance of being the front-runner.''

Proctor is upbeat about the prospects of Lochinvar Chiron, who has box three in Saturday's We Stand With Tasmania 520m fifth grade.

"Being in race one is a big help because Lochinar Chiron tends to play up in the kennels,'' Proctor said.

"He has not raced at Wentworth Park but I trialled him there a while ago and he clocked 30.30.

"While that time is nothing flash Lochinvar Chiron has improved considerably since that trial.

"And he won over 520m at Richmond on Wednesday night after having to work hard to get across to the fence from box eight."

Father Rick, who turns six next Thursday, is far and away the oldest runner in Saturday's 520m Wenty Leagues Masters Stakes and will be chasing his 40th win.

The marvellous veteran has not raced for six weeks but has been kept in trim with two straight track hand-slips and a trial at Appin.

Father Rick has box four but has had eight wins and seven placings from 23 appearances wearing the blue rug and trainer Ray Webster said: "He likes to be drawn anywhere from further out than box three.''

Best Bet My Pharaoh (race 6)
Best Value Hello Cindy Lou (race 10)

Quaddie
Race 5 - 1, 3, 5
Race 6 - 2, 4, 8
Race 7 - 4, 1, 5
Race 8 - 4, 6
$20 for 37.03%