![Embrace The Wind [Bradley Photos]](https://betsy.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2236834.jpg)
With his get-back racing pattern, Embrace The Wind is unlikely to be affected by his wide draw at Rosehill, but he will relish a return to a drier surface.
The lightly-raced three-year-old has drawn the outside gate in the field of 11 for Saturday’s Ranvet Handicap (1200m), but trainer John Thompson says the key factor will be track conditions.
“He gets back, so the draw probably doesn’t matter as much for him,” Thompson said.
“I’d just love to see him back on top of the ground. He’s been running well on the heavy tracks, but when he gets back on top of the ground, I think you will see a better turn of foot.”
Embrace The Wind will also be fitter for recent racing.
Resuming with an eye-catching effort behind Lighthouse Lass at Rosehill in June when he came from last on the corner and was beaten just over two lengths, he backed it up with a brave third to Rolling Magic at the same venue last month when uncomfortable in the heavy conditions.
Thompson isn’t sure what level the horse can get to, but is optimistic Embrace The Wind still has plenty of upside.
“He’s progressive, and he’ll go through his grades. I think he’s got a bright future,” he said.
“He’s a sprinter. He will definitely push on (after Saturday), but where we head will depend on how he goes.”
Thompson has locked in Sweet Embrace Stakes runner-up Screen Icon for a carnival campaign, the filly set to have her second trial at Rosehill next Friday before resuming in the first leg of the four-race Princess Series, the Silver Shadow Stakes (1100m).
“She trialled well here the other day and beat the older horses,” Thompson said.
“She trials again on Friday week at Rosehill, and she will run first-up in the Silver Shadow.”
The filly had a mixed two-year-old campaign, just beaten in the Gimcrack Stakes (1000m) and finishing a luckless seventh from a wide draw in the Inglis Millennium (1200m).
After narrowly missing a start in the Golden Slipper (1200m), she lined up in the Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m) and was beaten less than three lengths despite having come to the end of her preparation.
