Last year’s winner of the Eclipse Stakes Mouro, was coming off a win in the Sale Cup just as top-weight for this year’s event Sonntag will be. The Sale Cup victory was Sonntag’s first run in almost six months but he was beautifully prepared for the occasion by Henry Dwyer and perfectly ridden by Michael Rodd – his third victory on the horse from as many rides. Rodd’s replacement for Saturday Chad Schofield, also has a 100% strike rate with his only ride being in the Queensland Derby. Sonntag is $7.00 to emulate the feat of Mouro and one of several horses bunched in the market behind early favourite Escado ($5.50). Escado’s last two runs have been in Group 1 company and have been good but it must be kept in mind he has only three wins from twenty five starts to his name – two of which have come on heavy tracks.

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Eclipse Stakes 2014 field

1. SONNTAG – C Schofield (10) 58.5kgs
Despite being first up off an eighteen week spell, drawing awkwardly and carrying top-weight of 58.5kgs, the Qld Derby winner was still too good for his opposition when finishing well to claim the Listed Sale Cup (1600m) three weeks back.
That was the fourth win of his nine start carer and is still improving.
Can only be fitter for having had that run and even though he has drawn poorly and carries top-weight again, shapes up as the one to beat.

2. RYTHYM TO SPARE – D Lane (9) 56.5kgs
Not a great deal of luck two starts ago in the G1 Toorak Handicap when finishing fifth (1.3 lengths) behind Trust In A Gust and that effort saw him considered a value chance in the G1 Emirates Stakes last Saturday at his following run.
As expected the 5yo by Pins settled at the back of the field but made no impression searching for runs inside of horses up the straight and finished twelfth (10.9 lengths) behind Hucklebuck.
Not many made ground from back in the field last Saturday and surprised to see jockey then not come to the outside of the field.
A better horse than that run would suggest and can bounce back.

3. PHIEDON – C Williams (11) 56kgs
Gave favourite backers a scare when as even money favourite, he only got the bob in on the line to win an Open Handicap at Moonee Valley two starts back, before lining up in the Listed James Boag Stakes (1800m) on Cup Day.
He camped on the speed and battled on very well, only being caught late by Atacama and Sysmo who enjoyed comfortable runs throughout.
Will push forward from his wide draw but the big Hillside track and its uphill finish, does make it hard for front-runners like him to hold of late challengers.

4. JACQUINOT BAY – N Hall (7) 55.5kgs
Joined the Hayes/Dabernig stables at the start of this prep and whilst the 7yo by Galileo has saluted for his new trainers yet in six starts, he has ran some commendable races in good company.
He finished second to Who Shot Thebarman in an Open handicap (2000m) back in September and placed fifth in the David Jones Cup (2000m) behind Contributor, Noble Protector and Signoff before lining up in the James Boag (1800m) on Cup Day.
He got a long way back from a poor draw last start and finished eleventh (5.8 lengths) behind Atacama, Sysmo and Pheidon, all of whom travelled on or close to the speed.
Will push forward here from seven and would rate a place chance at odds.

5. BEL THOR – J Mott (4) 55kgs
Demonstrated what he can do at his best when finishing well to claim the Listed Seymour Cup (1600m) two starts back and was good again running fifth (2.8 lengths) behind Atacama in Cup Day’s Listed James Boag Stakes (1800m).
He was being scrubbed up heading into the turn last start and being back near last on the fence in a bunched field, had no option but took following the rails home.
He had plenty of space to make his run but just couldn’t pick up the leaders and gave the impression the step up in trip here will be to his liking.
Ran third in this race last year (when held at Caulfield) behind Mouro and Rain Drum and his capable of figuring in the finish again.

6. ESCADO –
The 5yo Casino Prince gelding has only won three starts in his career and hasn’t run a place in four starts this campaign yet, is capable of producing a big run here on recent efforts.
He settled on the leader’s back and had every chance in the G1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) when seventh (1.8 lengths) behind Trust In A Gust before catching the eye finishing well late out wide in the G1 Emirates Stakes (1600m) last Saturday.
Like the way he hit the line from back in the field – on a day when not many came from such a position – to run sixth (3.4 lengths) behind Hucklebuck.
A drop in grade, and a step up in distance – on a track that’ll suit his pattern, gives him a good chance of bettering his strike rate.

7. EXTRA ZERO – M Walker (8) 54kgs
For the tenth time since his last win back in 2012’s Albury Gold Cup, and for the fourth time from as many starts this preparation, the old campaigner registered a place when second (2 lengths) in the Kyneton Cup (2000m) behind Tristam’s Sun.
That followed a third (1.1 lengths) to Pheidon in an Open handicap at Moonee Valley.
Is going as well as ever and the drop to the minimum weight here, meets Tristam’s Sun 2kgs better, just might be enough to see him break the winless drought.

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8. TRISTRAM’S SUN – V Duric (6) 54kgs

Found a lovely spot but couldn’t run the leading pair down when fourth (3.3 lengths) to Leveraction and Artic Song in an Open class race (1600m) at Moonee Valley, before appreciating the step up in distance and a solid tempo, and winning the Kyneton Cup (2000m) by two lengths from Extra Zero.
It was a good win last start and he was strong through the line.
He’ll get a nice run midfield here from six and the track/trip combination looks ideal.

9. ZABISCO – K McEvoy (3) 54kgs
Resumed from a ten month spell with an excellent fourth (2.6 lengths) in the Listed Seymour Cup behind Bel Thor and backed that up with a sixth placing (3.2 lengths) behind Atacama in the Listed James Boag (1800m on Cup Day.
The Zabeel 7yo was posted deep without cover throughout from gate eleven and was forced wider still rounding the turn as the field fanned.
Despite the run, he was with the leading horses passing the clock-tower before, not surprisingly, given the run and being second up, he weakened late.
Fitter again, draw much better, and on his two runs back has to be considered here.

10. CORREGGIO – B Melham (5) 54kgs
After finishing with the tail-enders in his two runs leading into the Benalla Cup (2046m), it was no surprise to see the 5yo from the Murray Johnson stable start 20/1 however, he produced a cheeky run and belied his 20/1 price by running second (1 length) to Commanding Time with Zanbagh third.
He stepped up in distance and class again at this following and most recent run – the Geelong Cup (2400m) and finished second to last and a whopping 31.6 lengths from the winner, Caravan Rolls On. The Benalla run has been the highlight of an otherwise average prep and couldn’t see him figuring in the finish here.

11. THE INVENTOR – J McDonald (1) 54kgs
Surprise winner of Queensland’s G3 Tatt’s Cup (2200m) last prep, defeating Wish Come True and Pretty Pins, the Bevan Laming trained galloper spelled in the sunshine state and has had his two runs back from a spell up there as well. He finished as well as could be expected first up over 1350m to run seventh before the step up to a mile at his following start, saw a marked improvement and him finishing second (1.3 lengths) to Grayson Square.
Further again can only assist and his record around this distance range (1800-2000m) is solid, include a good gate for a horse that likes to settle handy to the speed and leading hoop James McDonald, and his $17.00, could see him thrown into a few multiples.

12. BY THE GRACE – D Dunn (2) 54kgs
Didn’t have a great deal of luck and fired in an unsuccessful protest when fourth (0.7 lengths) to London Stripe at Caulfield in a BM 90 (1600m) before racing in a RST 90 (1800m) on Oaks Day.
She drew wide, settled last and had the entire field in front of her as they turned for home last start. The only option for the Jockey was to pick a way through the field and in trying to do so, she ran into a dead end twice, both at crucial stages.
The daughter of God’s Own got clear at the clock-tower and wound up well late to finish third (1.1 lengths) to You Rock with Saigon Tea second.
That was her first start in three weeks and first beyond a mile so would expect her to be fitter again however, meets a stronger field here.

Eclipse Stakes 2014 Odds/Results

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RACE OVERVIEW
Thought he was a risk first up at Sale but learned then never to underestimate a winner and that what Sonntag appears to be. Four from nine now and he was set a challenge first up.
Fitter again and sure to be right in the mix here at each-way odds.
Escado has been good in top company and will be left with no excuses here one would think but the strike rate worries me. It’s been a year and a half since his last win and during which time he’s had eleven races for one placing.
Not saying he can’t win but at the price, much prefer to go with Sonntag each-way.
Zabisco the next best.

1. SONNTAG
2. ESCADO
3. ZABISCO

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