It hasn’t been the carnival the Godolphin operation were hoping for thus far, with 2yo debutante Antelucan their only winner from sixteen starters over Cup week however, they have two good chances to claim Saturday’s G3 Heffernan Stakes at Sandown as consolation. Generalife has been racing with limited luck of late and heads early markets at $4.20 whilst Reparations ($6.50) is coming off a strong first up win in the Mss Security Stakes. Godolphin, then known as Darley, won the race in 2011 with Soul who was then shipped to the United Arab Emirates. Last year’s Heffernan Stakes was won by Lankan Rupee who started at a remarkable price of $15 despite coming off a win in the Listed Earl Grey Stakes. His trainer Mick Price will be represented by Jazz Song ($11) this year whilst fellow Caulfield trainer Peter Moody will be looking at – Flamberge ($6.50) or Office Bearer ($16) to give him second Heffernan Stakes in three years after Midsummer Music won in 2012.

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Heffernan Stakes 2014 field

1. FAST’N’ROCKING – D Dunn (4)
Racing in true fashion since returning as a gelding and is the winner of two of his four starts this campaign.
Was given every chance in the run and would’ve been worried had he not run down Spirits Dance in an Open Handicap (1200m) at Moonee Valley before lining up in the final race of the VRC Carnival last Saturday.
Again, he found a lovely spot from a good draw but had to wait until the 200m before he could get clear running and finished third (1.1 lengths) behind Éclair Big Bang who had built his momentum up out wide.
Drawn perfectly again and four and would be prepared to say in current form, he’ll handle the quick back-up.

2. WE’RE GONNA ROCK – M Walker (5)
Had his first outing for over two years when lining up in the Listed Earl Grey Stakes (1000m) on Oaks Day. He finished eleventh of sixteen and 5.6 lengths from impressive winner Atmospherical.
Connections couldn’t have hoped for anything more and the 8yo, who’ll be better for the run, will appreciated the extra furlong here but happy to see him one win first after such a long break before tipping him to do so.

3. FLAMBERGE – D Stackhouse (10)
Kicked off this campaign with a good win in the G3 Theshark.com.au Stakes (1100m) but the form of the 5yo gelding since, has been well below expectations.
After finishing well out of the placings in the G3 Bobbie Lewis, G2 Gilgai Stakes and G3 Moonga Stakes, a drop in grade to the Listed Earl Grey Stakes was expected to see him return to form.
From a wide gate he sat on the side of the field as they made their way up the straight 1000m course but under the steadier of 60.5kgs, he could work home steadily rather than let down and finished fourth (1.1 lengths) behind Atmospherical.
Jumps to 1300m here and with only a kilo less than last start, and a wide gate to contend with, will be looking to others.

4. REPARATIONS – N Hall (7)
Despite some smart runs in good company last prep, among them a second to Messene in the Listed National Sprint, and a good barrier trial win before his return in the Listed Mss Security Stakes (1200m) on Cup Day, he started an unwanted 30/1 for the 1200m straight course race.
Making his own way up the straight from an inside draw, the son of Exceed And Excel was strong to the line, winning by a comfortable 1.3 length despite drifting back in toward the fence over the concluding stages.
Don’t let him get under the guard here and include him in the selections.

5. GENERALIFE – J McDonald (8)
After winning three on the trot over the winter, including the Listed Civic and Winter Stakes, the son of Lonhro should’ve extended his winning sequence further when returning in the Premiere Stakes G2 (1200m) instead, he went to the line under a hold behind a wall of horses including which included the winner Famous Seamus.
He then draw wide and was posted deep throughout in the G3 Moonga Stakes (1400m) won by Lucky Hussler – excellent again last Saturday – before running subsequent Group 1 winner Hucklebuck to within a length in the G3 Yellowglen Stakes. Great form all around him at the moment and deserves to win one in his current form.

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6. CHARLIE BOY – M Rodd (1)
Made up for a disappointing effort first up in the G3 Bobbie Lewis at Flemington with a head second to Famous Seamus in the G2 Premier Stakes (1200m) when returning to Sydney, and backed that up with a third (2 lengths) to Aomen in the Open Handicap (1400m).
He returned to Melbourne for the G2 Tab.com.au Stakes (1200m) and finished a credible fourth (3.3 lengths) to budding superstar Deep Field.
Will be position up prominently from an inside gate here, has WFA form this time in behind one who performed very well at G1 level and would have to be given a good chance.

7. NEAREST TO PIN – K McEvoy (9)
Made his return to racing from a fourteen week spell in the G2 Tab.com.au Stakes (1200m) on Derby Day where he ran into the exciting galloper Deep Field and plenty of trouble.
He was held up for a run behind horse as the pace picked up and then missed a run when trying to force his way through.
The son of Golden Lake got out far too late and should’ve finished much closer than the 9.3 lengths that he officially did.
Does have a win over the likes of Vain Queen and Le Bonsir but only carried 55.5kg then. Not sure how he’ll shape up here under the WFA conditions.

8. DON’T GET EXCITED – S Baster (2)
Closed well from the tail of the field in a 1000m scamper to run fifth (1.5 lengths) behind Eight Bills at his first run back from a spell but was found out at his following start when stepping up in grade, running twelfth (6.7 lengths) behind Reparations.
Hard to see him turning the tables on Reparations, who he meets 1.5kgs worse, let alone accounting for some of his other competitors.

9. OFFICE BEARER – V Duric (3)
Didn’t raise supporters hopes first up in the Listed Testa Rossa (1200m) before getting every chance in the Listed Italktravel Stakes (1200m) but finding the likes of In Cahoots, Adamantium and Éclair Big Bang – 1st and 3rd have raced well since, too good and running tenth (3.9 lengths).
Punters didn’t give him a chance off the back of those efforts when he lined up in the Listed Mss Security Stakes (1200m) but surprised most when running second to Reparations at 66/1.
Improving with each run this time but maybe not enough to handle the 5kgs weight rise he faces here under WFA conditions.

10. BIG BUDDIE – S Arnold (6)
Given a month’s break after having every chance in the run behind Petrify when fourth (1.4 lengths) in a BM 90 (1206m) at Benalla and returned with a sixth placing (1 lengths) to Stereosonic in a BM 84 (1200m) at Kyneton just over a week ago. Carried 59kgs last start so gets no weight relief here despite stepping up several classes in grade and would think he’d have his work cut out for him here.

11. SWEET AS BRO – C Schofield (12)
This year’s Kilmore Cup winner returned from a twenty-four week spell with a disappointing second to last in the G3 Bobbie Lewis (1200m) at Flemington back in September and hasn’t been seen on the track – or at the trials since.
The High Chaparral gelding was working through his grades at a rapid rate last campaign and recorded a fourth placing behind Lidari in the G2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) but after his first up effort, happy to see what he produces here.

12. JAZZ SONG – C Newitt (11)
Put together a very good campaign earlier this year and was rewarded with a win in the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic (1350m) on Ipswich Cup Day.
The well-bred Coolmore galloper returned to racing on Cup Day in the Mss Security Stakes (1200m) but from a wide gate – was never in the hunt finishing a long last (25.8 lengths) behind Reparations.
Can’t have her off of that effort.

Heffernan Stakes 2014 Odds/Results

RACE OVERVIEW
Pace here should be good with Big Buddie, Flamberge and Nearest To Pin from wider out, along with Charlie Boy pushing forward.
Generalife gets his chance for a change of fortune here courtesy of gate eight and a big track. He’s had little luck but here, should be able to find a spot midfield in the running line, and the 1300m looks ideal.
Reparations’ win first up was no fluke at that race has been a good pointer to this event in recent years.
He ran a luckless sixth (1.2 lengths) behind Mecir in the G3 Newmarket at Newcastle (1400m) in the Autumn and will his stats at this course and distance read very well.
Out of the same race comes Office Bearer who is improving with each run. Slight question mark over him at the WFA but from a good draw and at double figure odds, could be a good value chance.

1. REPARATIONS
2. GENERALIFE
3. OFFICE BEARER
4. FAST’N’ROCKING

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