Racing: Synonym wants luck to beat old foes

Trainer Gerald Ryan believes the only thing standing in the way of Synonym fending off some familiar foes in the feature Winter Stakes at Rosehill today is something he is due for - a change of luck.

Synonym is one of a number of runners coming into today's 1500m headline race after having no luck in the Civic Stakes (1400m) at the same venue two weeks ago.

Eight of the 14 acceptors for the Winter Stakes ran in the Civic Stakes including the first four placegetters - Hadaaf, Cruisy Lady, Synonym and Starry Light.

Plenty was written about favourite Strat's Flyer who broke punters' hearts when he was badly held up for a run and finished ninth to the Joe Pride-trained Hadaaf.

Ryan was also shattered to see the Allan Denham-trained Strat's Flyer held up for a run.

"If he got the run through we would have followed him through, Chris [Munce] was right behind him," Ryan said last night.

"That was one of those races you could run five times and get five different winners and I think this race will be the same.

"If we have some luck this time he will win."

After being boxed in at a vital stage, Synonym eventually found daylight but it was too late and Hadaaf went on to defeat Cruisy Lady by a half-neck with Synonym a short half-head away third.

"In the end he ran up their tails and couldn't get a clear crack at them," Ryan said.

"The only consolation about him getting beaten was that he didn't have a hard run because he only got out late and went for 50 metres."

Jay Ford takes over from the suspended Munce on Synonym who jumps from barrier seven.

"He drew three last time but this suits him better, he'll have plenty of room to take up a spot," Ryan said.

Strat's Flyer has drawn barrier six and jockey Hugh Bowman is confident the 5-year-old will get the job done but agrees with Ryan that luck will play a big part in deciding the outcome.

"He can definitely win it, he just needs things to go his way in the run home not a repeat of what happened last time," Bowman said.

The Strategic gelding stormed into favouritism for the Civic Stakes after rocketing home to win the Takeover Target Stakes (1200m) with apprentice Daniel Ganderton aboard at Gosford last month.

TAB Sportsbet has Strat's Flyer as A$3.80 favourite ahead of Mr Unforgettable (A$4.40) with Synonym third pick at A$7.50.

1800 SLIPPER NOMINATIONS

Next year's A$3.5 million ($4.4 million) Golden Slipper has attracted nearly 1800 nominations.

The world's richest race for juveniles will be run at Rosehill on Easter Saturday, April 3, for the first time.

- AAP