Magnificent Andy finds Comfort in recent form but must rise to occasion to trump arch-rival in Eurythmic

Golden Saddle victor Magnificent Andy will need to reverse the form on key rival Comfort Me in order to keep his winning run going in Saturday’s Group 3 $200,000 Eurythmic Stakes (1400m) at Ascot. In last year’s edition of the race, Comfort Me pounced upon an early lead, while Magnificent Andy was shuffled back to the second half of the field. Despite a late run into third place, Magnificent Andy could not make any meaningful inroads on Comfort Me, who had stolen away and scored by a length. It started something of a Group 3 hoodoo for Stephen Miller’s chestnut, placing second in his four subsequent hit-outs at that level. Finally, the seven-year-old was rewarded for his consistency in Kalgoorlie’s inaugural Golden Saddle, gripping on determinedly to hold his rivals at bay. His regular rider, Brad Parnham, retains the partnership at a hefty 59.5kg impost, though the gelding has proven he can carry weight with a previous victory under 61.5kg. “He rarely puts in a bad run and is always trying his best,” Parnham told TABradio. “He’s drawn six and I think the only real speed is from Comfort Me. “Depending on how he gets out (of the gates) will determine where I land, but if he gets a nice run throughout, we know he’s going to be putting his best foot forward and running a pretty good race. “He was first-up and generally does seem to get better as the prep goes on. “I’m expecting him to take a little bit of improvement (from last start).” Magnificent Andy has been installed a $3.10 TABtouch co-favourite alongside the Grant and Alana Williams-trained Watch Me Rock, who brought up a hat-trick when last seen in the Good Friday Stakes. Rhys Radford’s Comfort Me is rated an $8 hope after a typically dashing trial performance at Lark Hill on October 6, blitzing away from Jokers Grin to salute by three lengths. Usual partner Holly Watson takes the mount at 57.5kg - 2.5kg more than last year - and he will start from gate seven, one outside of Magnificent Andy. “His work has been good and I’m happy with both his trials,” Radford said. “I don’t mind the barrier draw, for once, tomorrow. The speed looks to be outside us. “(Holly) said he felt super (in his trial) and everything looks to be on target. “He’s going every bit as good (as last year).” Mighty mare Super Smink, who split those two in last year’s Eurythmic, has opted for a different path this year and will instead line up the $3.50 favourite for the Listed $125,000 R S Crawford Stakes (1200m). Unraced since a Melbourne expedition in February, the five-year-old warmed up with a slashing trial effort at Belmont on September 30, rattling home to be a half-length third behind All Play. Rope Them In ($3.90), who trialled on the same day when successful in slower time, is next in commission ahead of Twain’s Angel ($5) and Williams’ pair, London’s Image ($6) and Storyville ($8.50).