Russian Revolution and Hellbent have been archrivals in the breeding barn over the past two years and one month into a new season and they are going at it again with both to have key runners on Saturday.
Newgate based Russian Revolution dominated at the end of last season finishing as leading second crop sire by winners, earnings and stakes-winners, but Yarraman Park’s Hellbent was always in the mix to keep him honest.
Group I ATC Randwick Guineas winner Communist was the star for Russian Revolution last season and he’ll be looking to get back in the winning groove at Randwick on Saturday when he lines up in the Group II ATC Tramway Stakes (1400m). He took on the big guns first up in the Group I ATC Winx Stakes at WFA and will appreciate the slight drop in class for this assignment, although it’s a tough field and whatever wins will be putting themselves right into the Epsom Handicap picture.
Hellbent has two of his best three year-old fillies from last season going around in Group races at Caulfield in Magic Time and Benedetta, while at Randwick he has two runners in the Group II ATC Furious Stakes with Hell Queen and Fire Lane looking to make their mark against the elite fillies.
Aquis based Invader and Widden Stud’s Supido can also be expected to be in the limelight this spring, the former as the sire of exciting mare Sunshine in Paris and the latter with slick sprinters Buenos Noches and What You Need.
Their stars aren’t running this weekend, but that trio have the potential to be game changers for their respective sires and Invader does have a hope in the Group III McNeil Stakes at Caulfield with Coincide chasing his third straight win albeit stepping up in class.
