Fundamentalist to run in Surround Stakes

Fundamentalist (r) will avoid stablemate Amphitrite (l) and run in the Surround Stakes in Sydney.

Lindsay Park will rely on Fundamentalist as its sole Group One runner at Randwick with the filly to run in the Surround Stakes.

The stable had also entered Amphitrite, Cristal Eyes, Futooh, Qafila and Victory Kingdom in the 1400m-race on Saturday but whittled it down to one.

Senior trainer David Hayes said the filly was already in Sydney preparing for the race and would wear blinkers for the first time.

Fundamentalist is a well-travelled filly having raced in Victoria, NSW, Queensland and South Australia in her 14-start career which has netted two wins.

She has been placed in three of her four starts at Group One level, finishing third to The Autumn Sun in the J J Atkins Stakes at Doomben last June, second to Amphitrite in the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield and third to Shillelagh in the Empire Rose Stakes at Flemington.

Her only unplaced Group One outing was when eighth behind Oohood in the Flight Stakes at Randwick last September.

Hayes said the stable elected to bypass the Australian Guineas on Saturday where it will be represented by Amphitrite, Hawkshot and Long Leaf.

He said the 1400m in Sydney was a better fit for the filly.

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Fundamentalist was a last-start third behind Amphitrite and Verry Elleegant in The Vanity (1400m) at Flemington on February 16.

“I thought it might be a bit hard to turn the tables on the other filly (Amphitrite) and I think the 1400 metres is ideal at this stage,” Hayes said.

“She had to be used a bit early last time running a quick early section.

“She’s trained on nicely and I thought this was an easier option than the Guineas.”

Hayes said the stable had yet to make a decision whether Poetic Dream joined Fundamentalist in Sydney or resumed in Melbourne.

The Irish-bred German import has been nominated for the Shaftesbury Avenue at Flemington and the Liverpool City Cup at Randwick.

“We’re going to dual accept, look at both races and work it out,” Hayes said.

“Fundamentalist is already up in Sydney while Poetic Dream is at the farm (Euroa).

“He’ll either turn left and head to Melbourne or turn right to Sydney once we decide what’s the best race for him.”