Two runners for Anzac Day

Many will pause today to remember those past, present and future servicemen and women who volunteer their lives for their country. Reflecting on the tenacious Anzac Spirit in dawn services across Australia, echoes of the last post and solemn prayers signaled a national day cherished by all had begun in the early hours of this morning.

Well before the first ceremonies begun Team Pfieffer was busy attending to their charges, paying particular attention to their two representatives for the Anzac Day meeting at Royal Randwick. Roman Odyssey and Brilliant Meteor both contest the aptly-named Last Post handicap, the final event on the program over 1400m.

A last-start surprise winner over 1300m at Kembla Grange, Roman Odyssey will bring winning form to Randwick and reunite with in-form hoop Glyn Schofield.

Tracking behind the leading bunch and sprinting hard for the split when it counted gave Roman Odyssey his first win in over 12 months, granting David Pfieffer a spectacular winning double following Dixie Chick’s win earlier on the day.

“It was great to see him win, and a great ride by Glyn (Schofield)” recalls Pfieffer.

“He has worked well leading in to this and we’re happy with him, so hopefully it is a repeat of the last start win”.

A quinella would not be entirely out of the question, with the powerful Brilliant Meteor impressing in two lead up trials and ready to perform from the gun barrier 1, particularly if the track stays soft.

“He’s a real mud runner who just loves the wet ground. Anything in the heavy range, he’s in his element” said Pfieffer.

Brilliant Meteor, set to be ridden by stable apprentice Travis Wolfgram, has had four starts on heavy ground for two wins, a second and a third. His sire, the ill-fated Northern Meteor, has achieved astounding success from his limited crops and interestingly holds a 20.8% wet track runners to winners percentage despite the sire himself never winning on a track worse than Good.

The Randwick circuit looks set to improve however, with a dry forecast and warm Autumn sun making the job easier for Roman Odyssey and less so for Brilliant Meteor.

“It’s hard, one likes it dry and one likes it wet” lamented the trainer.

“But both possess plenty of talent and their work has been pleasing. I hope they surprise me”.

Both horses were lucky to secure runs following two scratchings which elevated them into the field this morning.