Jockey Tim Clark happy to land on Mayfair in Eskimo Prince Stakes

Top jockey Tim Clark believes Mayfair only needs to replicate his spring form to be a strong contender for a first-up victory in the Eskimo Prince Stakes at Randwick.

The colt is currently the $4.40 third pick in early betting markets for Saturday’s Group 3 race, sitting behind $2.70 favorite Gatsby’s and the recently gelded Linebacker at $4.20.

Mayfair is returning for his second racing campaign after an impressive first preparation, which saw him progress from a maiden win at his second start in July to securing four consecutive black-type placings. His run culminated in a third-place finish behind top colts Broadsiding and Traffic Warden in the Golden Rose.

His only unplaced effort in six starts came in the Caulfield Guineas, but Clark is confident the Tulloch Lodge-trained three-year-old is primed to be highly competitive first-up in the Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m).

“He showed his toughness at his first prep. He went really deep into it and kept performing really well up until the Caulfield Guineas,” Clark said.

“Any of those first four or five runs in his career, if he reproduces one of those on Saturday he will be the horse to beat.

“He put in a really nice piece of work on Tuesday morning. He is a happy horse and he’s well within himself.

“He will probably be better suited when he gets out over a little bit further, but he is forward and ready to go on Saturday.”

Mayfair has drawn the outside barrier in a field that has been reduced to nine runners following the scratching of dual acceptor Point And Shoot.

However, Clark believes Mayfair’s natural gate speed will help him overcome the wide draw and has been encouraged by his two recent trial performances, including a second-place finish behind the speedy Insurrection.

“It’s probably a perfect gate for him. I will just let him stride forward and get there under his own steam,” he said.

“His first trial back was really good, then the other day, it was a bit of a sit-and-sprint and the leader just outsprinted him a bit. But I thought late and through the line he was really good.”

Clark is also booked to ride Mayfair’s stablemate and first emergency Bellazaine in the Inglis Millennium (1100m), should she gain a start.

Bellazaine finished midfield from a wide draw in the Gimcrack Stakes (1000m) in October but has since won two recent trials with Clark in the saddle.

“She has always been a lovely filly. A very strong filly, an absolute pleasure to do anything with. She is just an absolute ripper,” Clark said.

“Hopefully she does get her opportunity to line up in the Millennium. She will run well if she does.”