The first five horses across the line in the Slipper (1200m) will clash again in a strong renewal of the Group 1 ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes, this time over 1400m and most likely on a wet track.Godolphin colt Traffic Warden is the only runner proven at the distance, to take on Lady of Camelot, having led throughout in the VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), while Anode was narrowly beaten in the Baillieu (1400m) last weekend.
While it will be new territory for Lady Of Camelot, Shinn says the filly has given him no reason to doubt her credentials.
Adding to the mystery is the prospect of a heavily rain-affected track.
None of the 10 Sires’ Produce Stakes runners have raced on ground worse than soft, while Lady Of Camelot’s four starts have all been on good surfaces.
Lady of Camelot half-sister Queen Of The Ball prefers firm ground, although she has been stakes placed on a soft 7 track, while her other half-sibling Platinum Jubilee won the 2022 Gimcrack Stakes on a heavy surface.
Lady Of Camelot will be one of four runners for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott , who also have Slipper third placegetter Storm Boy, Prost and Anode.
Bott described Lady Of Camelot as a tough filly who had continued to thrive, while he expected Storm Boy and Prost to appreciate a distance rise.
Anode stablemate of Lady of Camelot was only overhauled in the final bounds by Linebacker in the Baillieu and will have a fitness advantage over his rivals racing on a seven-day back-up.
