In the Rough Habit for 3yo’s, we get to see to promising New Zealand gallopers for the first time – Glorious Lad and Telepathic who are both rated strong chances of continuing the Kiwi’s recent and regular success on Australian shores chance in early markets. Glorious Lad has some very strong form references among his solid race record and is $6.00 whilst Telepathic, the only filly in the race, is the second favourite at $4.40. Heading the market is Gai Waterhouse’s Pheidon at $3.50. The Al Maher gelding is coming off good performance during the Sydney autumn carnival and has drawn perfectly for Saturday’s race. Best hope for a local victory is Rudy at $6.00.
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1. VILANOVA – K McEvoy (2)
The Commands gelding showed plenty of promise as a 3yo at this carnival last year, running second to Zoustar in the G2 Sires’ Produce (1400m) and a close up fourth in the G1 J J Atkins (1600m). Since that campaign however, he hasn’t lived up to the expectations placed on him with only one win from thirteen starts – the G2 Autumn Classic (1800m). Didn’t have a great deal of luck last start when third (1.3 lengths) behind Destiny’s Kiss in a BM 95 (1600m) at Warwick Farm. It was a typically teasing run from this bloke who has the ability but shows it only rarely.
2. PHEIDON – N Rawiller (1)
Did a good job to stick on as well as he did in the G2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) after racing wide midfield and making his run from the 500m. It was his first run in three weeks and his first look at a heavy track, to finish sixth and three lengths from the winner Gallatin was commendable. He then enjoyed a nice run from an inside gate and had his chance when second to smart mare Arabian Gold in the G3 Franker Packer Plate (2000m) a fortnight ago on a slow track. Drawn perfectly here in gate one will be in this for a long way.
3. RUDY – T Harrison (9)
The Helen Page trained galloper won his first two starts this campaign, taking his career record to five wins (four on heavy tracks) from eleven starts, before stepping up in grade and performing very well in the G3 Gunsynd Classic (1600m). He was ridden a little closer to the speed the he usually prefers last start and combined with the step up from 1350m to a mile, was left a touch flat at the end of the trip when third (1.4 lengths) to Hopfgarten. That run will serve him well for this and ridden quieter than last start, he should be doing his best work late.
4. GLORIOUS LAD – J McDonald (6)
One of a large contingent of New Zealand gallopers who have come across for this carnival, this colt by Falkirk has won three of his nine starts with a further five placings. He ran third in the NZ Derby behind Puccini and Rising Romance before an eight week break returning with a good second (1/2 length) to Telepathic over 1600m. He can only be fitter for that run and his performance in the top NZ races read very well for here.
5. CADILLAC MOUNTAIN – S Baster (12)
Second up from a spell, Peter Moody’s Reset gelding ran second (two lengths) to Pheidon in the G2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) at Moonee Valley before heading to Sydney to contest the top 3yo races during the autumn carnival. Unfortunately for horse and connections, he experienced wet tracks in both the G1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and G1 ATC Derby (2400m), finishing eighth and ninth respectively. Will be hoping the predicted rain for Queensland later in the week doesn’t eventuate and if this race is run on a firm surface, a big improvement from him would not surprise.
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6. BODEGA NEGRA – J Byrne (8)
Lining up for his third run back this campaign, the Hidden Dragon gelding will have to show improvement on his previous two starts to be involved in the finish here. He finished 5.3 lengths in tenth spot behind Rudy first up and held his ground in the run home when sixth, 4.1 lengths from Hopfgarten in the G3 Gunsynd Classic (1600m). Shapes up as though the 2000m will suit but the class of the race may not.
7. AVALANCHES – S Galloway (4)
Street Cry gelding who made it consecutive Gold Coast wins with a strong 5 ½ length win in BM 80 two starts back. Trainer Trevor Bailey then stepped him up Group company where he contested the G3 Gunsynd Classic where, as he did at his previous start, he led the field. He stuck on well beaten all bar Hopfgarten home, finishing second by 1 ¼ lengths. He will get the chance to be up on the speed again from a good draw but takes on a field with greater depth.
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8. CASARATI – (5)
Recorded the second win of his career, at start number thirteen, in February when successful in an Eagle Farm 3yo Open race over 1800m but his three runs since, would suggest he is likely to struggle here. He made no impression from the back of the field in the G3 Gunsynd Classic at his most recent start, and finished tenth – eight lengths from the winner Hopfgarten
9. SAGUARO – C Munce (14)
After winning his second and third race start at Cranbourne and Morphettville respectively, Peter Moody’s Savabeel gelding finished ninth (5 ½ lengths) behind Vilanova in the G2 Autumn Classic (1800m) before being freshened up for seven weeks. Not much was expected of him when he came back over 1400m on a slow track at Caulfield and at 30/1, he ran eighth (5.9 lengths) behind Lucky Striker and was then shipped to Brisbane for a crack at last fortnight’s G3 Gunsynd Classic. Didn’t have a great deal of room at a crucial stage and lost momentum before finishing seventh (5.1 lengths) behind Hopfgarten. Will not find this race any easier from the outside gate.
10. AMEXED – M Rodd (3)
He cracked his maiden status last start in a Sunshine Coast maiden over 1600m, his sixth career start. Bred to get longer being a Pentire gelding out of a Danasinga mare but will find the step up in class to much of a challenge.
11. ARKI – D Browne (13)
This Aussie Rules gelding commenced his career with three start in Ipswich Maidens races with the pick of them being his second placing. A lengthy spell saw him return with a strong 2 ¾ length win in a Gold Coast maiden (1300m) before an even better effort at his next and most recent start, when careering away with a Ipswich Class 1 by 5 ¾ lengths. Better races than that are ahead of this galloper but maybe not one of this grade.
12. ROCK SENT – M Cahill (11)
Half brother by Fastnet Rock to G1 winner Rubiscent, this Kelly Schweida trained galloper won his maiden race two starts back on the Sunshine Coast, where as the even money favourite, he scored 1 ½ length win over 1400m. His one run since was an average fifth of fourteen in a Class 4 race at Eagle Farm. Not here.
13. ALWAYS A GIBBERER – T Bell (10)
Patinack Farm runner who first up from an eight month spell, won a Sunshine Coast maiden over 1400m. He then jumped straight into the G3 Gunsynd Classic (1600m) and has expected, struggled, running ninth and finishing 7.2 lengths from the winner. This race is no easier.
14. TELEPATHIC – M Du Plessis (7)
The only filly in the race, this New Zealand galloper trained by ATC Oaks winning trainer Donna Logan, has won three of her six starts including her two most recent outings. She was too good for six competitors first up from a spell, winning a 3yo Open class race by 1 ½ lengths before finishing strongly and overcoming trouble in the run, to win a BM 85 (1600m) by ½ length from Glorious Lad. Glorious Lad is a good form reference and this lightly raced daughter of Mossman is improving with each run. Not to be dismissed lightly.
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RACE OVERVIEW
Pheidon and Avalanches will push forward here and wouldn’t expect New Zealand visitor Glorious Lad to be too far away either. Glorious Lad ran third to Puccini and Rising Romance twice in New Zealand and with that pair having contested the Sydney Carnival – and doing well for the most part; think it’s a wise move from his trainer to target Queensland. His hit-out last fortnight would set him up nicely for this and he hasn’t run a bad race his career, which also includes a second to Lucia Valentina. If he goes in then so too does the filly Telepathic, she defeated Glorious Lad last start but stepping up to 2000m is the query. Pheidon and Vilanova are the selections to round out the placings with Cadillac Mountain coming in for consideration if we race on a dry track.
- GLORIOUS LAD
- TELEPATHIC
- PHEIDON
- VILANOVA
