Trapeze Artist to be aimed at Guineas

Golden Rose winner Trapeze Artist has begun a preparation aimed at the Randwick Guineas.

After shadowing each other for much of their careers, Gerald Ryan-trained stablemates Trapeze Artist and Menari will set out on different autumn paths.

Menari was the raging favourite for the Group One Golden Rose (1400m) in September but it was Trapeze Artist who came out on top.

Shortly after, Menari was diagnosed with a wind problem and underwent tie-back surgery and was spelled.

Trapeze Artist continued to the Coolmore Stud Stakes down the straight 1200m-course Flemington last month but finished unplaced.

“Trapeze Artist is back in the stable and looks terrific,” Ryan said.

“He put on 30 kilos in three weeks. His aim will be the Randwick Guineas and maybe the All Aged Stakes but how he gets there is still to be decided.

‘The Randwick Guineas is the main aim.”

Menari is due back at Rosehill in another week and will be kept to sprints with some ambitious goals.

“We are looking at the Galaxy and the Arrowfield Sprint,” Ryan said.

“And if he is going well then the TJ Smith Stakes comes into play.

“After that he would have a spell and we hope to get him to the Everest.”

Menari ran fourth in the Golden Slipper won by She Will Reign with Trapeze Artist sixth.

The stablemates then went to the ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes with Trapeze Artist third and Menari 10th.

Both are by Snitzel whose progeny usually handle rain-affected ground but neither was particularly comfortable on the wet autumn tracks and Menari won two races in the spring on firm surfaces.

In the more immediate future, stable stalwart Red Excitement will run in Saturday’s Group Two Villiers Stakes (1600m) after showing a return to form when third in the Festival Stakes.