Trainer Joe Pride has enjoyed a sensational carnival to date, having won the G1 Coolmore Stakes (Steps In Time) and G1 Galaxy Stakes (Tiger Tees) in the past fortnight. He looks a good chance of adding another feature win to his tally this weekend with That’s A Good Idea in the G3 Sebring Stakes at Rosehill Gardens. The 4yo by Flying Spur tops the market at $2.90 after a good effort last start in the G3 McCarten Stakes. He’ll face some stiff competition though from nine competitors, four of whom are under double figure odds including Hot Snitzel, winner of this race last year.
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1. TEMPLE OF BOOM – J Bowman (10) 59kgs
The rising 8yo has found the competition a touch too slick in two runs back from a spell. He couldn’t match it with Villa Verde late when eighth (1 ¾ lengths) in the G2 Challenge Stakes before having his chance up the straight in last week’s Galaxy Stakes, where he finished sixth (3 ¾ lengths) behind Tiger Tees. He’ll enjoy the slight drop in grade but has to give all bar Hot Snitzel, a minimum of 4.5kgs as compensation for it. Chances increase with rain but under the big weight from a wide gate, can’t see him running them down.
2. HOT SNITZEL – N Rawiller (5) 58kgs
He’ll tackle this first up from a spell and has been prepared for the task with two solid barrier trials in the past month. Rawiller has been aboard for both trials, the latest of which came a fortnight ago where he defeated the speedy Just A Girl by a neck in good style. Drawn to get a lovely run, only has to carry 1.5kgs more than he did to victory last year and has been specifically set for the race.
3. FLAMBERGE – C Schofield (6) 55.5kgs
Excellent efforts by this son of Exceed And Excel in both the G1 Oakleigh Plate and G1 Newmarket Handicap, finishing fifth behind Lankan Rupee in both. He then came to Sydney to contest the G3 McCarten Stakes where he settled mid-field, approximately six lengths off the leader and eventual winner, Kencella. Being his first go the Sydney way, he hung in whilst making ground in the run home to finish fourth, 2 ¾ lengths from the winner. Will have benefited from that experience and wasn’t that far behind the favourite for this race, That’s A Good Idea who finished third last start. He rates a good chance at attractive odds.
4. DANCES ON STARS – B Avdulla (7) 55kgs
He got too far back in the G3 Southern Cross (1200m) but was making good ground late when fifth (2.6 lengths) behind the well performed Terravista before again making ground in the run home, when fourth (2 ¼ lengths) behind Messene, in the Listed National Sprint at Canberra. He drops back to 1200m here but given four weeks since that run to prepare for it and will appreciate the solid tempo that will be set in this race. Avdulla has a good association with this galloper and generally has him produce his best.
5. TITLE – J Ford (4) 55kgs
Had to lug 61kg first up on a slow track and it was no surprise to see him only able to hold his ground in the run home when sixth (2.1 lengths) behind Territory in a BM 95 (1100m) at Warwick Farm early last month. He then stepped out in the G3 McCarten Stakes (1100m) but got back in the field from his wide gate and in a race dominated by the leader, wasn’t able to make an impression, finishing last and ninth lengths from the winner Kencella. He’ll appreciate the drop in weight and after a good run, which he should get from gate four, did run second to Rebel Dane in the G3 Show County last prep.
6. LILLIBURLERO – D Oliver (3) 54.5kgs
Beautifully ridden from a good draw first up in the G3 Triscay Stakes (1200m) to score a comfortably 1 ¾ length over Recoinage before again securing a lovely run in transit from the inside gate in the G3 Roy Higgins (1200m), where she finished a head second to A Time For Julia. In very good form and is sure, with Oliver in the saddle and drawing gate 2, to get a lovely run once more and her chance in the straight.
7. BENNETTA – J McDonald (2) 54kgs
Showed signs early last prep of the form that saw win the G2 Light Fingers Stakes but unfortunately for connections, her form tapered off in the G2 Tristarc Stakes and G2 Yellowglen Stakes and she was spelled. Comes back to racing her for trainer Graeme Begg having had a barrier trial just over three weeks ago and with solid first up record which includes a fourth placing (1.4 lengths) behind Driefontein in the G3 Sheraco Stakes. Would’ve preferred her drawn out a little but at her best, would give this a shake.
8. THAT’S A GOOD IDEA – G Schofield (8) 54kgs
Winner of six of his fourteen starts when sent for a spell in October last year. The Flying Spur 4yo has returned for three runs, the most recent of which saw him close well as the 15/8 favourite, when third (1 ¾ lengths) to Kencella in the G3 McCarten Stakes (1100m). Trouble at the start saw him much further back in the run than anticipated but he closed strongly regardless. Drawn awkwardly here in eight but should be able to cross and take up a much more prominent position. Going very well and right in the mix here on his last start but interesting to note; all six of his wins have come on good tracks whilst his six starts on tracks dead or worse, have resulted in three thirds.
9. BULL POINT – T Berry (1) 54kgs
Kicking off this campaign with a good win the G3 Manfred Stakes, the colt by Fastnet Rock looked set for big things this preparation. Second up he was sent out favourite in the G1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) and have every chance when fourth (1.4 lengths) behind Moment Of Change before, at his most recent three weeks ago, he was bitterly disappointing in running last in the G1 Randwick Guineas. Trainer Gai Waterhouse is starting over again with him but think she’ll be hoping for him to find the line first up after recent efforts.
10. SAID COM – C Newitt (9)
Kept waiting for the 5yo by O’Reilly to break through last prep but from seven starts during his campaign, he only managed three placings. He hasn’t raced for six week now and wasn’t asked to do a great deal in a barrier trial a fortnight ago. This class, this distance, they should prove to slick form him and he’ll be looking for something longer.
RACE OVERVIEW
That’s A Good Idea was good last start and no stable going better at the moment than that of Joe Pride but the $2.90 is shorter than expected, especially when looking at some his competitors previous efforts. The better value could be with Peter Moody’s Flamberge. He’ll be better for having had last start here at Rosehill and his efforts at elite level behind Lankan Rupee, rate well for here. Likewise, Lilliburlero and Hot Snitzel who at $7.50 and $8.00 respectively, represent good each-way value for mine. Lilliburlero will get the beaut run behind the speed and Nash and Ryan will have had this race in their sights for Hot Snitzel for some time now.
- FLAMBERGE
- HOT SNITZEL
- THAT’S A GOOD IDEA
- LILLIBURLERO
In the news:
Red Spyder’s last-start effort went from average to promising in the space of a few strides.
The three-year-old was struggling to stay in contention in the straight in the Bendigo Guineas on March 15 but rallied to finish fourth to the handy Written Up.
The late surge convinced trainer John Salanitri Red Spyder would run well in Saturday’s $250,000 VOBIS Gold Reef (1600m) at Flemington.
“He lost ground before he made ground,” Salanitri said.
“I was waiting for Stephen Baster to give up on him and stop riding but he said he was never going to do that.
“The horse acquitted himself very well.”
Red Spyder was a winner over 1200 metres before steadily climbing in distance at his three subsequent runs.
Salanitri says the Hard Spun gelding showed he was ready for his first crack at 1600m at Bendigo.
“He’s looking for a mile now and even further,” Salanitri said.
“He’s come through his last run really well so I’m looking forward to stepping him out.”
The Caulfield trainer will also start maiden galloper Believe Me in the VOBIS Gold Reef which is restricted to three-year-olds which have been paid up as part of the bonus scheme.
Believe Me finished third at Moe and fourth at Swan Hill at his two runs back from a spell but Salanitri said the gelding was worth testing in tougher company.
“We own him so we are not concerned about throwing him in the deep end a little bit,” Salanitri said.
Salanitri says a genuine tempo would suit both his runners who are likely to settle back in the field at Flemington.
Steven Arnold will ride Red Spyder while Salanitri has booked Dean Holland to partner Believe Me.
