KEY POINTS:
SYDNEY - Zac Purton is poised to claim a stakes double at Randwick today.
Purton rides the Graeme Rogerson-trained Illuminates in the Canonbury Stakes (1100m) and later in the day partners Silky Red Boxer in the group two Villiers Stakes (1600m).
Purton is looking forward to being reunited with 2-year-old Illuminates after riding her to a last-start win in the A$100,000 ($112,600) Magic Millions Wyong Slipper on December 10.
"She has great gate speed, she lets down well and is a very tough type of filly," he said.
Purton capped a successful day at Wyong when he made it a clean sweep of the two Magic Millions races after he partnered Ulladulla to victory in the A$100,000 Wyong Classic.
While he is confident the A$86,000 purchase Illuminates has a big chance of winning today, he expects the small field of five will be very competitive.
Illuminates will be up against stablemate and Red Ransom colt Arlington, who was a A$1.55 million buy and has had just one run for second to Vecchia Roma at Rosehill on October 28.
Anthony Cummings saddles up filly Danehill Smile, who defeated Mimi Lebrock by a long neck at her only start at Rosehill on December 9.
In that race the David Hayes-trained Miss Hijinx finished third and she gets her chance for her maiden win in the Canonbury.
The only other runner is the Gai Waterhouse-trained Keiki, who was second to Illuminates in the Wyong Slipper.
Purton rides the Chris Waller-trained Silky Red Boxer for only the second time in the Villiers after being aboard the former New Zealander when he finished fourth to Fighting Fund in the Scone Cup (1600m) in May.
At his last start Silky Red Boxer was eighth to Beauty Watch in the group three Hawkesbury Cup after jumping from barrier 12, the same gate he will start from today.
Said Purton: " I couldn't get him a clear patch in the straight and he couldn't get going."
- AAP
