Flashy grey sprinter Chautauqua is back to defend his Manikato Stakes crown. The 1200m weight-for-age sprint brings together many of our top sprinters, including 2013 winner Buffering. This year’s Golden Slipper winner Capitalist tackles the older horses for the first time.
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BUFFERING
Odds ($11)
Seven-time Group 1 winning nine-year-old, won this race in 2013.
Why he can: Trapped three deep for the entire race and showed great courage when a first-up fifth behind Extreme Choice in the Moir Stakes (1000m). He has a great second-up record, extra distance suits and barrier two is a bonus.
Why he can’t: Hard to write him off in anything, but he may be past his best.
CHAUTAUQUA
Odds ($2.50 favourite)
Heavily backed and he is a five-time winner at elite level.
Why he can: Was never travelling and came from last for fourth to Extreme Choice in The Moir. In the money at his six second-up runs, the 1200m will be more to his liking, he’s fitter for the run and is the best horse in the race.
Why he can’t: Barrier one is usually a bonus, but not here. This horse needs room to run and if he gets pocketed he may not see daylight.
LUCKY HUSSLER
Odds ($9.00)
Dual Group 1 winner, prepared by Darren Weir.
Why he can: Couldn’t muster early in the Moir and was always on the move. He will appreciate the slightly longer trip and can improve on his second-up run.
Why he can’t: Not going as well as he was last preparation. Wide barrier is against him.
UNDER THE LOUVRE
Odds ($21)
Won the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap in June.
Why he can: He should be ready to run a big race following three runs from a spell. Latest he battled away for fifth to The Quarterback in the Gilgai (1200m) at Flemington. He’s a winner this track and distance and should get the gun run.
Why he can’t: He steps up in grade and would have liked him to be doing more in lead-ups to this and wins are well spaced.
REBEL DANE
Odds ($41)
This seven-year-old entire is trained by Gary Portelli at Warwick Farm.
Why he can: He tries hard every time he steps out. He came from a long way back when midfield behind Takedown in Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick last start.
Why he can’t: Past his best. Previous win was September last year and yet to win this track in six starts.
THE QUARTERBACK
Odds ($15)
Won the Group 1 Newmarket in March.
Why he can: Resumed from a spell with a powerhouse win in the Gilgai (1200m) at Flemington. There will be plenty of speed on in this, which will suit his style settling at the back.
Why he can’t: He may get too far out of his ground and be unable to pick them up.
JAPONISME
Odds ($41)
Won last year’s Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes.
Why he can: He pulled up sore after finishing last in the Shorts last month. He has since trialled well at Randwick and is definitely in the mix if he can regain his best form.
Why he can’t: He’s taking on top grade here and following an injury cloud he may need this run to bring him on.
FELL SWOOP
Odds ($11)
Matt Dale prepares this gelding, Hugh Bowman to ride.
Why he can: There was a lot to like about his third to Star Turn in the Schillaci (1100m) when resuming. He was well back in the run but finished off strongly. He’s a two-time second-up winner and has won this track and distance.
Why he can’t: Up in grade and yet to win at Group 1 level.
HOLLER
Odds ($13)
Godolphin entire by Commands.
Why he can: Having his first start from a spell and has a good record when resuming. Two starts back he finished second at this track and distance in the William Reid Stakes. Loves the Valley, winning two and finished second only other start here.
Why he can’t: He’s only lightly raced, with 12 starts and meets the A-team here and may need a little more racing to measure up, but not a lot of negatives.
ENGLISH
Odds ($13)
Group 1 winning mare, trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
Why she can: Had a forget run last start when fourth behind Takedown in the Premiere Stakes (1200m). She travelled four and five deep the entire trip and wasn’t entitled to finish as close as she did. She will strip much fitter for this.
Why she can’t: Wide gate could work against her and having first start on the track.
CAPITALIST
Odds ($6.00)
This Written Tycoon colt won the Golden Slipper in March.
Why he can: Knocked up when first-up third to Russian Revolution in Group 2 Roman Consul (1200m) at Randwick. Will have taken great improvement from that run. Speed will suit and he should be able to get a nice position from his middle gate.
Why he can’t: He tackles older horses for the first time. Also he is having his first run the anti-clockwise way of going around a tricky circuit.
Best bet
1. Chautauqua
2. Buffering
3. Fell Swoop
Value
English
