Chris Waller took all before him at the Brisbane Carnival last year with Zoustar, Hawkspur and Moriarty all claiming feature races. Waller will be hoping his imported galloper Danchai can kick of another prosperous Brisbane Carnival this Saturday when he lines up in the G3 Chairman’s Handicap. Danchai is coming off a second to Spillway in the G3 Frank Packer Plater, an effort that stands him in very good stead for a race of limited depth, and dominates the market at $2.50. Local hopes lay with a lightly raced pair of 4yo’s in Carmora and Eight’s A Party who are at $8.00 and $9.00 respectively with New Zealand mare Zennista also at $9.00
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1. ZENNISTA – M Du Plessis (1)
Raced with good success at this carnival last year, winning the Listed Caloundra Cup and placing in both the G3 Premier’s Cup and G2 Brisbane Cup. As the now 6yo mare did prior to visiting Queensland last year, she has contested the same two races in her native land in preparation for her Australian campaign. She ran second at Trentham and made steady ground on a heavy track in the Listed Anzac Handicap, finishing fourth (3.6 lengths) to Julinsky Prince. Assigned 59kgs here, at least 2.5kgs more than any other runner but has the runs on the board, drawn ideally in gate 1 and any rain will not dampen her chances.
2. DANCHAI – N Rawiller (2)
Former imported galloper with Chris Waller who will be lining up for his fourth Australian start. His third outing saw him settle at the tail of the field in the G3 JRA Plate (2000m) at Randwick a fortnight ago. As the field drifted toward the centre of the track in search of betting going on the slow rated ground, Danchai stuck nearer the fence and had an uninterrupted run home, finishing second to impressive winner Spillway. Fitter again for that run and this race is no harder.
3. BRAVE ALI – T Harrison (6)
Made it three wins in a row with a good all-the-way win in last fortnight’s Listed JRA Tails Stakes (2128m). That victory took Tony Gollan’s galloper to eleven wins from thirty five starts. The 7yo is racing as well as he ever has and will push forward again but this is another step up on last start and he only won by half a length.
4. LAUREN TATE – J Taylor (8)
Another New Zealand contender who made it two wins from four starts this campaign with victory in the G2 Travis Stakes (2000m) a fortnight ago at Terapa. The Pins mare settled close to the speed and had a neck spare on her rivals headed by Gwynethanne who has a solid race record. Drops 2kgs from her last start, which was her first in four weeks, so would expect her to improve again on that.
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5. POSTE RESTANTE – (12)
She finished well to run fourth (1.3 lengths) behind Brave Ali two starts back in an Open Handicap over 2030m before getting to far back in the Listed JRA Tails Stakes (2128m) on a track and day when it was tough to make up ground. Her effort to finish fourth 1.9 lengths from Brave Ali was a good one. Drawn wide here and will be giving the majority of the field a start but does drop 4kgs on last start and on a more neutral track, can finish off. Rates one of the best chances for a local win.
6. PRETTY PINS – R Wiggins (13)
Contested some of the better mare races in Sydney earlier this campaign and was well accounted for on each occasions. The John Thompson trained galloper then came north to Brisbane and lined up in the more suitable Listed Members Quality (1600m). She only held her ground in the run home and was no match for smart winner Angel Of Mercy running fifth (3.1 lengths). Raced like she needed longer last start and her previous attempts in races around this distance range have been fair in Listed and Group company. Four of her five career wins have come on Slow or Heavy ground.
7. RAEBURN – L Cassidy (5)
The evergreen 9yo has had three starts back this prep and all have been solid efforts. The Brian Smith trained galloper ran a long neck third to Kiss Me Deadly in an Open class race over 1600m before at his most recent start, chasing Brave Ali valiantly in the straight, finishing fifth and two lengths away. Will get a sweet run from his gate but find this race no easier than the last.
8. HEARTFELT QUEST – (3)
Progressive 4yo gelding who won three in a row before stepping up to Open company and performing well. The son of Show A Heart was favourite when fifth (2.1 lengths) to Brave Ali two starts back before getting within a half a length of the same horse last fortnight in the JRA Tails Stakes (2138m). Camped right on the speed last start, as he should do so here, and meets Brave Ali 2kgs better.
9. ARCTIC – E Wilkinson (10)
Won the fourth race of his career three runs back, at his 33rd career start, with a half length win in a field of five on the Gold Coast. His two most recent starts have been in stronger grade and whilst he hasn’t finished too far from the winner in either event, he was never going to win. Will find this tough.
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10. PERFECT START – J McDonald (7)
Another Kiwi but not appearing to be as well credentialed as her fellow New Zealanders in this race. She’s won one of her eight starts this year and makes this trip off the back of her third placing in the Listed Anzac Handicap where she beat home Zennista – who was carrying 6kgs more. That run came on her favoured wet track so she’ll be hoping the forecast for rain in Brisbane this week is correct.
11. CARMORA – M Cahill (4)
Showed a great deal of promise this time last year did the son of Stromberg Carlson, winning first three starts before placing second in Listed company and running a close up fourth in last year’s Gunsynd Classic behind Proverb. The Desleigh Forster galloper than had an extended period on the sidelines and made his return racing earlier this year, some nine months after his Gunsynd run. He has been taken along steadily by Forster and registered his first win since returning at his most recent start, a Class 6 at Eagle Farm. Getting better with racing this time in but might be aiming too high here.
12. MALING – A Spinks (11)
His last four starts read – last, last, last and second to last. No.
13. EIGHT’S A PARTY – T Bell (9)
Rounded out his first campaign with three consecutive wins before the Darren Bell trained runner returned to racing in April of this year. The 4yo gelding by Clang has gotten a long way back in big fields in both races since his return but has finished each well running third in a Class 3 over 1400m and eighth (2.7 lengths) in a Class 6. The 2000m will pose no problems but the class at this stage of his career may.
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RACE OVERVIEW
Brave Ali leads but will be kept busy in front by Carmora and Arctic from wider out. Sticking with the class runners here and the top of the field – Zennista and Danchai. Zennista is following a proven formula and whilst she does have a big weight to contend with, should be afforded a cushy run behind the pace. Danchai finished well last start and fourth up here, looks ideally placed. He’ll have to do a bit of work from the inside draw but with Rawiller on, he should get his chance. Perfect Start is included among the chances and her hopes improve further with rain.
- DANCHAI
- ZENNISTA
- PERFECT START
- HEARTFELT QUEST
