Walter's strong hand in Adrian Knox

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SYDNEY, April 12 AAP – Guy Walter has three runners at Randwick on Saturday but only one possible winner with the stable’s trio to line up against each other in the Adrian Knox Stakes.

The Group Three event over 2000 metres is the traditional lead-up to the Australian Oaks (2400m) two weeks later and is a race dear to the trainer’s heart.

“I’ve won the race four times and two fillies – Republic Lass and Wild Iris have gone on to win the Oaks,” Walter said.

“The three fillies on Saturday are all unknown at the distance.

“I’m happy with them all and think they will get 2000 metres but you never really know until you try.

“They are all in the Oaks so we will see what happens on Saturday.”

Walter trains Lightens and Pale for Sheikh Mohammed’s Darley Australia while his other runner Colourist sports the red and white silks of the Tait family who raced Wild Iris.

Darley jockey Kerrin McEvoy has elected to ride Lightens who has drawn the outside barrier in the 10-horse field while Rodney Quinn partners Pale and Glen Boss is aboard Colourist.

Favourite for the race is Full Of Spirit, a last-start winner in New Zealand for trainer Roger James who also has the second favourite for the Australian Derby, Silent Achiever.

Lightens is at $7 with TAB Sportsbet, Pale is $14 and Colourist is a $17 chance.

Both Lightens and Pale contested the same 1550m race at Randwick on April 1 where they finished fourth and sixth respectively while Colourist ran against colts and geldings over 1800m on the same day, finishing 3-1/4 lengths sixth to Iggi Pop.

“Her win at Goulburn before that was very good,” Walter said.

“It was a shame she had to run against colts and geldings and I think she went well.

“She races like 2000 metres will suit.”

While he is keen to get the three fillies to the Oaks, Walter already holds the trump hand for the Classic with Streama the $1.80 favourite following the withdrawal of Mosheen who beat her in the Group One Vinery Stud Stakes.

Walter’s other Adrian Knox Stakes winners were Star Alight in 1998 and Operetta Lass in 2006.

Star Alight was an unlucky third in the Oaks, Operetta Lass ran sixth to Serenade Rose while Perfect Drop ran second to Rena’s Lady in both the Adrian Knox and the Oaks.

Publisher: AAPNewswire

13 Apr 7:44 AM