Having run second in this race last year with Prince Harada, trainer Mick Price has given himself four chances of going one better this year with Moonovermanhattan ($31), Cornrow ($21), Jabali ($7.50) and Nordic Empire ($11.00) all entered. Early favourite for the race is Nostradamus, who is also entered for the Run To The Roses in Sydney, at $3.50. Nostradamus has had two starts at Caulfield previously, producing eye-catching efforts in both the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude and G1 Blue Diamond Stakes where after drawing wide in both, he finished fourth and seventh respectively. Also competing in both of those races, and producing similar results (3rd and 8th respectively) was Chivalry, who will resume of a six month spell here at the attractive odds of $9.00. The only other runner under double figures in early markets is Novel Dancer ($8.50).
McNeil Stakes 2014 form guide:
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1. 1. ZULULAND – S Baster (3) 58.5kgs
After a successful autumn campaign that saw him net the G2 VRC Sire’s Produce and run second to Go Indy Go in the G1 Champagne Stakes (1600m), the son of Fastnet Rock returned to racing in the G3 Vain Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield a fortnight ago. Drawing gate three in the Vain Stakes, as he has done here as well, saw the Hayes/Dabernig galloper have little luck at a crucial point in the straight as he searched for a run along the fence. He finished fifth (2.8 lengths) behind Get The Nod but it could’ve been, should’ve been, much closer. Only needs a change of luck this time around to be hitting the line hard.
2. BOOMWAA – C Williams (9) 58kgs
Drew wide in the Vain Stakes, his second run back from a spell, but did well to battle on for third (2.1 lengths) behind Get The Nod. He too has drawn the same gate as in the Vain and he drew wide (13) in his only other start at Caulfield as well, the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes, where he finished fifth (3.2 lengths). On both occasions the early work has told and that’s left him a bit vulnerable over the final stages, which could be the case again come Saturday.
3. NOSTRADAMUS – D Dunn (2)
Returned from a six month spell with a smart win in the G3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill a fortnight ago. The Hawkes Racing representative settled just of the speed before winding up in the straight to win comfortably, defeating Washington Heights by three quarters of a length. In both the Blue Diamond Prelude and Blue Diamond Stakes he drew wide, 16 and 11 respectively, which saw the son of Medaglia D’Oro settle a long way back. From gate two on Saturday, expect him to settle much closer to the speed than on those previous occasions and to be right in the finish.
4. MOONOVERMANHATTAN – D Moor (1) 57.5kgs
Mick Price took this Manhattan Rain colt to Adelaide last May for his debut in the G3 Darley National Stakes (1200m). As he has done so here, he drew the inside gate and led the field on seven other runners on a heavy track, finding enough in the run home to record a narrow win over Not A Happy Camper. Price obviously has a good opinion of him to kick his career off in a Group 3 and his drawn to go forward again here but this is a race of much greater depth than his debut.
5. TAN TAT DIAMOND – L Nolen (8) 57.5kgs
Started the 11/4 favourite when Trainer Peter Moody took the Fastnet Rock gelding to Geelong for his debut on the synthetic track, which he won by a head. He then came to town, the 1200m straight course at Flemington, and recorded another head win over Rapaso. Moody has taken his galloper along nice and steadily and having run third in this race last year with Thermal Current, he should have a good measuring stick for this bloke.
6. CORNROW – B Rawiller (5) 56kgs
Headed into the G3 Vain Stakes first up from an eighteen week spell a maiden and after drawing the second to widest gate in the field of twelve, was still a maiden after he finished ninth (5.2 lengths) from Get The Nod. The son of Duporth does have ability though as evident by his third in the G1 Blue Diamond, G2 Todman Stakes and G1 Sire’s Produce Stakes last prep. He’ll get his chance to settle closer to the speed today and some of his best runs have been here on his home track when on top of the ground. Similar conditions this weekend could see a sharp improvement.
7. JABALI – C Newitt (13) 56kgs
Started the 2/1 favourite in the G3 Vain Stakes a fortnight ago, his first run back after a nineteen week spell.
The Exceed And Excel colt was hoping to register his first win and from a good draw (2) found himself in a nice spot in the run however, soon after straightening it was evident that he was going to remain a maiden a little while longer, as he battled home for sixth (3.2 lengths). Seemed to have every chance last start and may have missed his opportunity as he has come up with the widest gate this time around.
8. NORDIC EMPIRE – N Hall (6)
Had won impressively at Moonee Valley in a BM 78 (1000m) before lining up in the G3 Vain Stakes as a well supported 15/4 hope. The Wilander colt drew the inside gate and took up the running, setting a solid speed in the process. He battled on well late as those camped off the pace finishing too strongly in the final 100m and he ran fourth (2.5 lengths) behind Get The Nod. Not a bad effort at only his fourth race start and the further experience will serve him well. From gate six, Hall may even be able to get a sit or in the least, tag Moonovermanhattan who is expected to lead from the inside gate.
9. CHIVALRY – G Boss (12) 56kgs
The Street Cry colt from the Mark Kavanagh stables resumes from a good six month spell. He showed plenty of promise in his first and only preparation to date, winning one of four but finishing a fantastic third behind Rubick in the Blue Diamond Prelude and again catching the eye when running on from last on the turn to finish eighth, 3.8 lengths behind Earthquake in the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes. He’ll be settling back again here though after drawing the second to widest gate but with the Blue Diamond runs in mind, couldn’t dismiss his chances on that factor alone.
10. STINGRAY – P Maloney (10) 56kgs
After finishing second to Nordic Empire, who was sent out a 15/4 shot in the Vain Stakes, the 14/1 on offer about this colt by Kaphero in the same seemed generous and it proved to be. Jockey Patrick Maloney just had to ease off the heels of the eventual winner Get The Nod at a crucial stage in the straight before he came again on the line, finishing second (1.3 lengths). Can’t knock either of his runs this time in and he should enjoy the solid pace up front. Fit and will be finishing hard again.
11. AWESOME ROCK – D Oliver (11) 56kgs
Resumes here for Leon and Troy Corstens off a twenty-three week spell. The Fastnet Rock colt has only had the four starts, winning the second of them and then staring the 9/4 favourite in the G2 Sire’s Produce Stakes where he produced a big run to finish second to Zululand, who went on to frank the form. Not seen at the trials and drawn wide here, happy to see what he can produce first up.
12. FORGIVE AND FORGET – M Walker (7) 56kgs
Defeated five rivals on debut when taking out an Open 2yo race up the Flemington Straight back in May. He was given a brief let-up and returned in a BM 78 (1000m) at Moonee Valley where from a wide gate, he settled back in and blundered at the 600m. The trifecta in that race was Nordic Empire, Stingray and Boomwaa, all of whom have run well since. Had excuses last start where he was rated a $5.00 chance. Opened up at $31 in early markets.
13. NOVEL DANCER – V Duric (4) 54kgs
The only filly in the race, she won her first two starts earlier in the year in very smart finishing, registering winning margins of 6 and 3.8 lengths, before being spelled by trainer Shea Eden. The daughter of Written Tycoon then returned in the G3 Quezette Stakes a fortnight ago where she hold on for third form an on-pace position, finishing 2.5 lengths behind the promising Sabatini. Draws well here and should settle in a nice spot. Been kept safe in early markets at $8.50 and rightly so. She rates a good each-way chance.
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Odds Comparison:
RACE OVERVIEW
Moonovermanhattan should punch up form the inside with the likes of Novel Dancer, Nordic Empire and Boomwaa, keeping him honest. Have drawn off the rails this time in, Nordic Empire may not have to ridden with the same urgency has he was in the Vain Stakes. From six, Hall can opt to sit off them and that might see him produce a stronger finish than last start, which was good given the pace he set out in front. Can’t knock Stingray’s two runs in this time in and he again seems to be well priced at $10.00. The pace up front should again suit.
- NOSTRADAMUS (if he opts for this race over the Sydney feature)
- NORDIC EMPIRE
- STINGRAY
- CHIVALRY
News:
The only filly in Saturday’s Group Three McNeil Stakes has assumed favouritism after the scratching of Nostradamus from Caulfield.
Hawkes Racing has decided to keep quality colt Nostradamus in Sydney for Saturday’s Run To The Rose, leaving the Shea Eden-trained Novel Dancer at the head of the revised McNeil Stakes market.
Novel Dancer made her stakes racing debut at Caulfield two weeks ago and turned in a gallant performance for third in the Quezette Stakes after being posted wide throughout from barrier eight of 10.
“It was a big effort. We knew it was going to be a little bit tricky from wide but to finish off as well as she did after having not a lot of luck early was very promising,” Eden said.
Eden has no concerns about Novel Dancer racing the colts and geldings on Saturday at Caulfield and says the 1200m event fits in her program heading towards the Group One Thousand Guineas in October.
“She’s certainly not screwed down for Saturday but she will run well,” Eden said.
“She pulled up really well after the Quezette. Her work has been really good so with a drop in weight to the boys and a better barrier, she’ll run well.”
Novel Dancer was at $4.60 with TAB fixed odds on Friday ahead of Vain Stakes runner-up Stingray and the Chivalry at $6.50 and Awesome Rock at $7.50.
