Gerald Ryan confident Arctic Glamour can handle Queen Of The Turf Stakes weights

Weight-for-age terms in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes disadvantage Arctic Glamour against Lazzura in their rematch, but her trainer Gerald Ryan has grounds for optimism regardless.

In the Coolmore Classic (1500m), Arctic Glamour was getting 2.5kg from Lazzura when going down by a short neck, whereas at Randwick this Saturday they are evenly matched on weights.

Ryan notes that such weight swings aren't foolproof predictors, referencing Group 1 winner Recurring's loss in the 2004 Birthday Card Stakes at 54.5kg followed by victory lugging 58kg in a similar field shortly after. "I remember a few years ago Recurring got beaten in a mares race with around 54 kilos then went to the Sapphire Stakes, and because it was set weights with penalties she ended up with 58 and she beat the mares that beat her the start before, despite carrying more weight."

Whether Arctic Glamour can truly stay a mile remains the primary query.

Over 1600m she has six unplaced efforts, but includes a luckless fifth in the 2023 Thousand Guineas (1600m) and another fifth to Ceolwulf in the Epsom Handicap (1600m) the following year.

The Queen Of The Turf Stakes looks a tough edition with the speedy Pride Of Jenni running, so Ryan wants Arctic Glamour settled back.

"It's going to be a strong mile on Saturday with the speed that's in the race," he said. "We will ride her quiet from where she's drawn. Her best runs are when we ride her quiet."

Since her Coolmore Classic run on March 14, Arctic Glamour was pulled out of the Emancipation Stakes (1500m) because of the heavy ground.

Trials have been encouraging, with Ryan praising her midweek efforts. "She trialled very well on Thursday, and her work (on Tuesday) morning was very good. As good as I've seen her do," he said.

Skyhook represents Ryan and Sterling Alexiou in the Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (1200m) too, with plans for an off-pace ride.

Connections first thought his fourth in the Darby Munro Stakes (1200m) underwhelming, but Ryan sees it differently now. "On face value, we were. But when you analyse the race, he was giving them all weight and maybe on the hot speed we rode him too close," he said. "We're going to ride him negative on Saturday and see if we can hit the line."

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