Racing: Il Quello Veloce heads strong Kiwi contingent in autumn assault

A minor illness has forced Kiwi trainer John Sargent to scratch his consistent mare Ruud Van Slaats, but he's confident stablemate Il Quello Veloce can produce a big run at Randwick today.

Sargent withdrew Ruud Van Slaats yesterday from the listed A$100,000 ($127,000) Wiggle Quality for mares after she picked up a throat infection on the transtasman flight this week.

It means the Van Nistelrooy mare, placed in the group one Telegraph Handicap and Waikato Draught Sprint at her previous two starts, will contest the group one Coolmore Classic at Rosehill in a fortnight without another run.

"She was off her food and came up in the glands in the throat so I've had to give her anti-inflammatory drugs. She should be fine in a few days and she'll go straight into the Coolmore," Sargent said.

"It's a shame because [today's] race was there for the taking with the weight and the draw."

But Sargent still has two runners at Randwick, with 3-year-old filly Il Quello Veloce having her first Australian start in the group two Surround Stakes and Red Ruler in the group one Chipping Norton Stakes.

Il Quello Veloce is coming off a two-length win against the open sprinters over 1200m on a heavy track at Matamata.

Unbeaten in three starts over 1400m, she drew barrier two in a capacity 16-horse field and Sargent engaged in-form jockey Jim Cassidy for the ride.

"She's the best filly in New Zealand so if she can't front up against this lot then maybe our form's not as strong as we think," Sargent said.

"She should get a rice run two or three back and I think Jim will suit her."

Australia's TAB Sportsbet had Il Quello Veloce at $16 last night.

Safely through today's race, she would be aimed at either the Coolmore or the group two Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) for 3-year-olds on the same day at Rosehill.

Sargent said Red Ruler would probably find the 1600m too short in the Chipping Norton, after running 11th first-up in the Waikato Sprint.

"He'll be right on target for the Ranvet [weight-for-age 2000m on March 21], and he should be running home well."

Red Ruler and Cambridge-trained Nom Du Jeu will renew their rivalry at Randwick, where they ran the quinella in the AJC Derby last April.

Nom Du Jeu is coming off a last placing in the Waikato Sprint which mystified connections, but co-trainer Bjorn Baker said he worked impressively on Thursday with rider Glyn Schofield in the saddle.

Meanwhile, trainer Joe Pride believes Vision And Power is the horse to beat in the Chipping Norton Stakes.

Although the Randwick feature is by far and away the biggest test the 6-year-old has faced and his first at weight-for-age, Pride believes there are several things in his favour.

"He is a hard-fit horse while a lot of the others are stayers heading to the longer races later in the autumn," Pride said.

"There is no pressure on him or me - all the pressure is on the others.

"I couldn't be happier with him. Now is the time to find out if he is up to the class.

"He is entered for the Doncaster and this will give us a guide."

Vision And Power races in the same colours as former champion galloper Might And Power.

- AAP