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| Staff Writer |
Front Page is poised to etch his name in Australian racing history this Saturday as he vies for an unprecedented third consecutive victory in The Kosciuszko at Royal Randwick.
The Kosciuszko, with its hefty US$1.3 million purse, headlines a spectacular 10-race card on The Everest Day, Randwick's premier racing event of the year.
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Trainer Matthew Dale's Magnus gelding has dominated the country-trained sprinters' showcase for the past two years. The 8YO boasts an impressive first-up record (9:5-1-1) and enters this year's race off the back of a commendable fourth in the Gr.2 Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm in May.
James McDonald, one of Australia's leading jockeys, will guide Front Page from an advantageous barrier five draw.
Far Too Easy, last year's third-place finisher, looms as the main threat. The David McColm-trained 6YO, son of All Too Hard, is fresh off a gutsy fourth-place finish at Eagle Farm. With Craig Williams in the saddle and a slight weight advantage, Far Too Easy is primed for a strong showing.
Boom Torque, Front Page's stablemate, enters the fray with momentum. The Spirit Of Boom 5YO, partnered with Nash Rawiller, impressed with a third-place finish in the Gr.2 Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill last month.
Compelling Truth, seeking a hat-trick of wins, and Dubbo-based Gallant Star, trained by Brett Robb, are potential value picks in this year's race.
The Kosciuszko, inaugurated in 2018, has quickly become a highlight of the Sydney spring racing calendar. Previous winners include Belflyer (2018) and Handle The Truth (2019), both of whom went on to achieve success in other prestigious races.
The 2024 edition of The Kosciuszko is set to run as Race 5 at Royal Randwick, with a scheduled start time of 2:50pm (AEDT) on Saturday.