Watch for Ring Charmer, Taurus Boy

A TRICKY track bias and equipment changes are to be noted in Saturday's divided feature, the Grooms' Association Trophy, at five furlongs straight.

Patrick Lynch's RING CHARMER catches the eye in division one, drawn widest at post 10 with Youville Pinnock riding at 111lb. Though unable to capitalise on his five-pound claim, going two pounds over the allotted 109lb, Pinnock has a plumb draw, with an unimposing weight, aboard RING CHARMER, who won in 58.3 at the distance late January.

Since beating JAHSENDBLESSINGS and BRIDAL BLUSH, carrying 119lb with Omar Walker, on January 30, RING CHARMER shoed up prominently in two races on the round course, familiarising herself non-winners-of-three's pace.

With Pinnock aboard a month ago, though among the back-markers at six and a half furlongs, RING CHARMER hardly lost a length from the half-mile to the home turn, running wide into the lane, behind leaders REGNANT, PRESS CONFERENCE and KING'S MAGICIAN.

Closing widest when urged, RING CHARMER improved her position to finish fifth, beaten only a length by third-place CRUELLA, who was three and a half behind winner PRESS CONFERENCE. It should be noted that CRUELLA returned March 5 to finish a length and three-quarter behind United States-bred CLASSICAL ORB at a mile.

CRUELLA has been stealthily prepared, consecutive three-furlong gallops, after accompanying stablemate ACTION ANN in a five-furlong round gallop earlier this month. ACTION ANN completed a double in six days last Saturday, flooring T BRADY and SANTORINI in a crack field, after outbattling ARTESIA the previous Sunday.

Jason DaCosta's SENSATIONAL ENDING made a winning return, off a nine-month lay-up, two Sundays ago, using her class to get home at six furlongs from BUFF BAY, who had stumbled badly at the start. Though light at 110lb, SENSATIONAL ENDING will have to shake off all the rust she incurred during her lay-up to pull off a win from post-position five.

PRINCE MARSHALL, who twice finished ahead of RING CHARMER since they both graduated to non-threes, hasn't been enjoying sprinting, forcing Fitzroy Glispie to remove the visor, which he fitted for the gelding's last two races.

Facing the possibility of being slowly into stride from post-position three, carrying 119lb with Shane Ellis, PRINCE MARSHALL should find a lighter RING CHARMER elusive on the stands' side.

Division two of the grooms' feature is stacked with speedsters, especially on the stands' side, setting up what could be a collapsing pace for Philip Feanny's imported TAURUS BOY, who won his only last December, beating UNRULY BOSS at the distance.

TAURUS BOY went after REGNANT last time out before PRESS CONFERENCE pounced. Running at odds of 24-1, he held second to the furlong pole in what appeared a prep for this trophy race. Feanny has replaced TAURUS BOY's blinkers with a visor.

Don't be turned off by veteran Everton Miller going four pounds over the allotted 116lb, TAURUS BOY is a big, strong foreigner, who loves the trip and can angle to mid-track to catch the local-breds, who will be going hammer and tong on the stands' side.