One of two feature races at Doomben this Saturday, the Listed Recognition Stakes, has attracting plenty of betting with several runners having been met with strong support. Punters are expecting Brave Ali ($21 into $12) to bounce back from an uncharacteristic performance last start, whilst Lady Echelon returns from a luckless campaign in Melbourne and has firmed considerably ($14 into $8.50). Current favourite for the race is Rudy ($3.20 into $2.70) with Grayson Square and Hofgarten well in contention at $6.50 and $5.00 respectively.

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Recognition Stakes 2014 Field

1. MOURO – M Cahill – Scratched

2. BRAVE ALI – B Grylls (4) 57kgs

Put together a sensational campaign last time in, which was rounded out with victory in the Ipswich Cup and a second behind Brayroan in the Caloundra Cup. Ran an unexpected bold race first up as a 40/1 shot over the unsuitable 1350m, finishing fourth (1 length) behind Hopfgarten but was caught wide under 59kgs in a Gold Coast Open (1400m) at his only start since and dropped out to finish eleventh, over seven lengths from Sir Moments. Being second up and a poor run in transit, probably best to forgive the Tony Gollan trained galloper that run. Her previous efforts combined with a perfect draw here, should see him bounce right back to his competitive self.

3. DARCI BE GOOD – T Wolfgram (3) 56.5kgs

The former Bede Murray trained galloper cracked a win for his new trainer Andrew Williamson two starts back, taking out an Open Handicap (2040m) with a strong neck win over Volkhere before accounting for four rivals when dropping back to a mile three weeks later, and winning on the Gold Coast. Given another three weeks into this race and is ticking over very nicely. He was mixing it with some good horses in Group and Listed races down in Sydney just over twelve months ago and whilst he’s not back to that level, he’s going well enough be in contention here.

4. HOPFGARTEN – D Browne (10) 56kgs

Returned from a four and a half month break a winner, making it six wins from his last eight starts, when claiming the Open class 1350m by a neck from Rudy. The son of Mossman than travelled to the Gold Coast, draw widest and settled last in the big field of thirteen and despite starting well in commission (4/1) produced little in the run home, finishing ninth (5.7 lengths) behind Sir Moments. Was found to be lame after that race but can bounce right back into the familiar surroundings of the winner’s stall. Damien Browne has won four of his last six rides on this gelding

5. STEEL ZIP – J Stanley (2) 54.5kgs

The 7yo ran a typically teasing race last start, running home well from the second half of the field to finish fourth (1.9 lengths) to Sir Moments. That was his third run back from a few months break and clearly his best. Wasn’t far off the winners in races of quality such as the G3 BRC Sprint and G2 QTC Cup earlier this year and whilst his only won one race in the past two years, he’s always a good chance in a race like this of adding some value for those playing the multiples.

6. LADY ECHELON – J Lloyd (7) 54kgs

Handy mare who won an Open class race (1350m) first up off a four month spell and was then taken to Melbourne for a crack at some good races over the spring. She finished last of sixteen in the G3 Ladies Day Vase (1600m) won by Star Fashion before an better effort in weaker grade, running seventh (3.9 lengths) to Secret Toy Bizness in the Greys race on Oaks Day after having little at all in the run home. Her last three starts over a mile in Brisbane have seen her run second on each occasion including the Listed Member’s Quality won by smart mare Angel Of Mercy. Back home now and don’t be shocked to see a much improved effort.

7. DOUBLE IMPACT – E Wilkinson (6) 54kgs

Did all he could do first up of an eight month break over 1110m when seventh (3.7 lengths) in a Class 6 before defying an alarming betting drift, 30/1 out to 60/1, and running a long neck third behind Tear It Up again, in Class 6 company. The only start since for the 6yo Mossman gelding was in Open company on the Gold Coast a fortnight ago where from the inside gate, he secured a lovely run in transit. Against the better quality of opposition, he was unable to improve his position from the turn and finished sixth (2.6 lengths) behind Sir Moments. The step up to a mile helps but needed to see more from last start to be considered among the better hopes here.

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8. NOISY OCEAN – (8) 54kgs

Returned from a spell on the Gold Coast a fortnight ago in the race won by Sir Moments but the Bryan Guy trained galloper struggled from his mid-field position in the turn, weakening in the run home to finish second to last and almost ten lengths from the winner. Generally takes a few runs to hit his peak – which comes over distances of 2000m and hard to see him making the significant improvement required off of his first up effort to be winning here.

9. ALDINI – (5) 54kgs

Back-maker who only held his ground from a midfield position on the turn when seventh (3.9 lengths) behind Hopfgarten and Rudy in an Open Handicap (1350m) before appreciating the bigger Gold Coast track, and extra 100m, and finishing well for second behind Sir Moments last fortnight. Won the Listed Spear Chief (1500m) last prep and displayed what he can do under the right conditions last start but back to the tighter Doomben circuit here DRAW, means it’ll have to all go according to plan in the run.

10. RUDY – L Tarrant (9) 54kgs

Super honest competitor who has run close seconds in each of his two runs back from a spell. Both in Open company at Doomben, he was bettered by Rocket To Glory (half length) and Hopfgarten (neck) over 1200m and 1350m respectively. Third up last campaign, as the 2/1 favourite, he found Hopfgarten a shade too strong again when second (1.4 lengths) in the G3 Gunsynd Classic (1600m), before going on to run strong races in the leading premier three year old events. Sure to be right in the mix again.

11. GRAYSON SQUARE – C Munce (1)

Made it three wins on the trot with solid on-pace effort in a BM 85 (1600m) two starts back, defeating The Inventor – who since ran solidly in the Ballarat Cup, by 1.3 lengths. He then dropped back to 1400m, took up a handy position from a good draw, but found the quality of competition a shade too strong when fifth (2.3 lengths) to Sire Moments in Open class. Back up to a mile here and drawn to take up a handy position but as was the case last start, will find the last furlong a tough one to see out at his level.

12. GOLDSLICK – (12) 54kgs

Formerly with Victorian trainer Mick Kent, it won’t be long before her new conditioner Liam Birchley scores a win with this daughter of Bradbury’s Luck judging by her two runs for the new yard. She was blocked for a run first up in a BM 85 (1350m) when eighth (2.4 lengths) behind Gundy Spirit and stable-mate Time To Plunder, subsequent winner of last week’s Keith Noud Quality. That effort was backed up with a fourth (3 lengths) to Shiraz Attack in an Open race (1350m) for fillies and mares. Looks ready for the 1600m now and is capable of running well given her recent efforts and those previously produced in Victoria but, she will have to be at her absolute best from gate 12.

13. IMPERIL – (14) 54kgs

Former Godolphin (Darley) runner who seems to have taking a good liking to his new surroundings at Stuart Kendrick’s Caloundra stables judging by his two stars for his new trainer. He narrowed missed a first up win when nosed out in a Doomben Class 3 (1350m) before making a mends on the Sunshine Coast in the same grade, defeating the handy performer Beatniks by a long neck. Drew perfectly in the above two runs but has the come up with the outside gate here and Steps up in grade here but will still carry the same weight and has drawn

14. ABU BEN ADAM – J Byrne (11) 54kgs

Snuck under punter’s guard when second up from a brief let-up the son of Murtajil won a Restricted 0 metro win race (1350m) at 25/1 at Doomben two starts back but they weren’t going to be beaten twice. The Pat Duff trained galloper started 7/2 favourite for his next and most recent start, a Restricted 1 metro win race (1400m) on the Gold Coast. Takes a step up in class again, this being only his second attempt at a Listed race in his twenty-two start career and drawn awkwardly.

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Recognition Stakes 2014 Odds/Results

RACE OVERVIEW

Shapes up as a very competitive race with Grayson Square, Brave Ali and Darci Be Good utilising their inside gates, which should see the favourite Rudy, who jumps from six, in the perfect sport throughout and hard to beat. Not sure I’d be rushing into the $2.70 on offer now though. Hopfgarten started 4/1 last start in a race by Sir Moments, favourite for Sydney’s Festival Stakes, and had genuine excuses for his ninth after pulling up lame. He’s got a win over Rudy last prep and seems to be value bet at $5.00.

1. HOPFGARTEN

2. RUDY

3. BRAVE ALI

4. STEEL ZIP

News:

Promising galloper Hopfgarten has recovered from an injury scare and is expected to be hard to beat as he chases another black-type win at Doomben on Saturday.

Hopfgarten, who has won two Group Three races, made a sensational return to racing when three-deep without cover in winning at Doomben on November 1.

However, he was well below his best when ninth behind Sir Moments at the Gold Coast two weeks ago.

“Initially we were a bit disappointed but he had a little muscle problem in his back. We have treated it and he has come up well,” trainer Robert Heathcote.

“I would be disappointed if he didn’t race much better on Saturday.”

Heathcote will make a final decision on a trip to Sydney with Hopfgarten for the Group Two Villiers Stakes on December 13 after Saturday’s run.

As is the case with several Recognition runners, Hopfgarten has been helped by Mouro accepting for the Recognition.

Mouro was allocated 61kg, compressing the weights for well-performed Brisbane horses like Hopfgarten.

Michael Cahill was booked for Mouro before the horse was scratched on Wednesday night to run in the Festival Stakes at Rosehill.

“Having Mouro accept has certainly helped Hopfgarten and few others with the weights,” Heathcote said.

In a revised market after Mouro’s scratching Hopfgarten holds down the second line of betting at $5 behind the $2.60 favourite Rudy.

Heathcote is expecting his latest Sydney staying import Mr Scary to run a bold race in the Global Transport Insurance Handicap (2200m).

“Mr Scary has had two runs up here and both have been handy,” he said. “I liked the way he fought on at the Gold Coast at his last start.

“He has had three goes at the 2200 metres and run second every time. Maybe, he can go one better on Saturday.”