Racing: Ilovethiscity cleared for feature race

Dr Craig Suann inspected Ilovethiscity yesterday afternoon and declared him fit to start. Photo / Thinkstock

Ilovethiscity's spring programme remains on track after the Group One winner was passed fit to make his return in today's Group Two Warwick Stakes.

Last season's Randwick Guineas winner put a scare into the Grahame Begg camp on Wednesday when he threw a shoe in trackwork and trod on a nail.

Chief steward Ray Murrihy ordered a veterinary examination of the entire and Racing NSW's chief veterinarian Dr Craig Suann inspected Ilovethiscity yesterday afternoon and declared him fit to start.

The Warwick Stakes (1400m) at weight-for-age is an important race to kick-start Ilovethiscity's spring campaign, with the son of Magic Albert nominated for the Group One Cox Plate (2040m) later this spring.

"Obviously he has improved significantly enough to run [today] so we're happy," Begg said.

"It would have put his preparation back by about three weeks if he wasn't able to run. There is no other really suitable races for about three weeks until the Theo Marks."

Ilovethiscity is still set to tackle the Group Two Theo Marks (1300m) but that is scheduled for his second-up run followed by the Group One George Main Stakes (1600m) a week later.

Ilovethiscity is the $4.40 equal favourite for the Warwick Stakes with TAB Sportsbet along with Pinwheel.

Mudlark Sacred Choice has been the big Warwick Stakes firmer with Warwick Farm rated a heavy (8) yesterday. The dual Group One winner of the Myer Classic and Doncaster Mile, both on heavy tracks, has firmed from an opening quote of $18 to $4.80.

The feature race on the eight-race card is also the kick-off point for last year's Melbourne Cup runner-up Maluckyday and young jockey Tommy Berry can't wait to fill in for the suspended Jim Cassidy on the Cups hopeful.

"I know I won't stick with him but to be on a horse of that calibre just for one ride, I'm happy with that," Berry said.

- AAP