Crucial Trackwork Hitout For Edmonds Duo

Golden Slipper contender Alpine Edge will be matched with stablemate Vanna Girl in an important trackwork hitout this week.

The Toby and Trent Edmonds stable plan to start Alpine Edge and Vanna Girl in a 900 metre jump out on the course proper at the Gold Coast on Tuesday.

Alpine Edge will race in blinkers for the first time when he returns from a let up in the Group Two Todman Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on March 6 with Glen Boss booked to ride.

“The jump out will be one of his main hitouts before the Todman,” co-trainer Trent Edmonds said.

The son of Better Than Ready suffered his first defeat when he finished runner-up to Shaquero in the Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast on January 16.

Vanna Girl is being aimed at the winter carnival where the Hollindale Stakes and Doomben Cup are on her agenda.

The Edmonds stable were buoyed by official confirmation on Friday that cult hero The Harrovian had gained a start in the $5 million All Star Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley on March 13.

Part-owner Stephen Massingham phoned Trent Edmonds at trackwork at the Gold Coast on Friday to deliver the good news.

“It was absolutely smashing down with rain and had been an ordinary morning but that bit of news certainly brightened up the day,” Edmonds said.

“He has his first run down there on Saturday at Flemington in a Group Three 1400 metre race, which I think is a smart move to duck those stars in the Futurity.

“We didn’t want to gut him first up. If he can win on Saturday that would be great and we can go on to the All-Star mile full of confidence.

“I just thought that would be the smart play on a nice, big track at Flemington where he can be ridden steady and let rip to the line.”

The Harrovian was joined in Melbourne by stablemate Usmanov who will contest the Listed ATA/Bob Hoysted Handicap (1000m) at Flemington on Saturday.