3 minute read
With fine weather and 30’ Saturday-Sunday in the capital the track should present in perfect order with a touch of give.
Race 1
PROMESA (2) had trialled well here and was heavily-backed at Goulburn on debut and made the quinella when a bit unlucky. Looks to have a stack of ability and gets the key booking of Hugh Bowman. Very wary THE SENATOR (3) on debut for Matt Dale. Brings a strong trial win this venue and gets the blinkers applied. Tim Clark is in the saddle and no surprise if the well-bred gelding is right in the photo. Stablemate TRIBBIANA (5) resumes with Jay Ford back on. Made a good impression the first preparation and ran favourite here the latest. Keep very safe. MAJOR TIME (7) will go around at double each way odds but brings very competitive figures. Peaks today and Tommy Berry will give him every chance from the low gate.
Race 2
This looks very competitive. DENMISS (8) seeks the hat-trick off the comfortable Wagga win when she hit the line hard. Deserved that and the extra 200m looks ideal. No surprise if she comes over the top of them at good odds. TOOTZ (4) represents the sharp Danny Williams yard and is an improver ready to win. Has been good from the front at Canterbury both runs back and finds easier grade. Draws to control the race and Kerrin McEvoy is a key booking. SNITZAGIRL (9) can stalk the lead and won well 3U at Newcastle. She has upside and can make the finish. SUPER CYCLONE (11) was much too good in the Cessnock Maiden FU and then was interfered with badly at the start at Scone, pulling up with an issue. Back after 15 days so everything must be in order and she rates well. BALONNE (10) gets a low gate and Jay Ford and the local can add meat the multiples.
Race 3
SHE KNOWS (2) improved sharply 2U at Rosehill on the slow and didn’t have the best of it. Finds easier grade and gets the low gate and the key booking of Bowman. The mare was beaten just 0.8L behind Eduardo in October in the G2 Caulfield Sprint at this trip, and he would make short work of this field. The track is likely to provide some give and she’s the one to beat. STEPHAN (10) has just missed the last two with the latest in town. Hasn’t enjoyed the best of it the two runs in and gets the positive rider switch to Tommy Berry. He’s an improver with more to offer. BELLA VELLA (8) resumes and is fast and promising. Ran a peak winning from the front at Canterbury LS and that stacks right up. Gets McEvoy and has trialled well. ALL OVER BOSANOVA (4) is back in trip but is fast and will have no trouble clearing the tricky gate. Led and dropped out 3U in the G3, but the lip defeat at Rosehill prior reads very well for this. Any cut out of the ground will suit, but she’s a genuine hope regardless.
Race 4
COTERIE (2) looks solid option in a terrific contest. Comes to peak off two solid runs in Sydney and is going to be there and put himself right in the race. The winkers are on first time. FINAL AWARD (4) brings strong form with the promise of more to come. Has been good against the clock and sitting back off the speed may prove the place to be. YULONG JANUARY (1) resumed in the G3 Zedative Stakes in Melbourne and had no luck at all. Settled back on the rail and then was boxed in late with plenty to offer. He should make short work of the tricky gate the extra trip assist. Bowman rides and a serious player. The promising local SAUSEDGE (9) deserves consideration as does LABURNUM (11) for Godolphin.
Race 5
FLOW (1) led and placed in the Listed Carrington 2U and then things didn’t work out in Open grade at Flemington. Has trialled well since and there’s a sense of timing about him. Bowman back on adds to the confidence. SNIPPETS LAND (2) placed second in this race last year and his form this campaign has been strong all the way through. Just missed in the G3 the latest and 2 x winning rider Shinn is reunited. DON'T GIVE A DAMN (3) should find the speed okay from the wide gate and he’s right up to this at best. Disappointed at Randwick FU after a slow off but will be better for it. Ran an outstanding relative figure winning the time before and can improve quickly. WHO'S KNOCKING (10) is a local in tougher grade, but has been doing everything asked of him with the promise of more. Will settle back and come hard. ORIENTAL RUNNER (7) looks some chance at good odds. He’s quick early and just missed twice and then had a tough run at Rosehill on the slow. Prepared to forgive and he peaks today.
Race 6
MORTON'S FORK (2) has come back to racing improved and ran a peak placing at the mile 2U. The middle distance is ideal now and he will take beating drawn low with Shinn sticking. SAMADOUBT (6) led in the Parramatta Cup as favourite and compounded. Not sure what to make of that, but the efforts prior at the mile stack right up. SAYED (7) was close-up in town 4U making sharp improvement at long odds. That was his first show of form since transferring from the Waller Camp and Matt Dale is an astute mentor. Draws out but keeps Berry and could be the surprise packet building on a sharp figure. ALMOST COURT (4) won this last year, but worry he may be a run short. Will bring the grandstand down if he can deliver again.
Race 7
The early scratchings have taken a lot of the meat out of this $306,500 contest for 2yos. Team Snowden are left with two key chances with ROME (9) shaping as the as the one to beat. Has just missed fresh in G3 company his two runs and there was only a lip in it the latest at Doomben. Owns a Randwick trial win and gets the blinkers first time. Prebble sticks and it’s his only ride at the meeting. MCLAREN (3) won the G3 on debut as expected and then disappointed after the same grade. Draws handy with McEvoy sticking and gets the chance to bounce back into Slipper contention. PIN SEC (11) resumes for Godolphin owning a trial win. It’s a leap from a Maiden, but is in the right yard and the low gate advantages. ALL CYLINDERS (5) should get to the speed okay and brings very competitive figures. He may be the one to slip under the radar.
Race 8
LEATHERHEAD (6) has improved both runs back and is ready to find his best. Has Melbourne metropolitan form and Berry sticks for Godolphin. The one to beat. SURJIN (2) hasn’t had the best of it the two runs back in stronger grade. The Newcastle placing prior reads very well for this and expect him to be improved and be coming hard for Paul Perry. FUN TICKETS (3) was progressing well in town and then was unfancied in the Country Championships qualifier and raced accordingly. Dale has put the blinkers on and Bowman hangs around to ride. Quick improvement is likely. DUBLIN DIVA (16), ALVIN PURPLE (4) and REVOLVER (7) are others with claims.
