Sportingbet Sprint 2014 Field, Odds, Tips and Results

After a poor campaign by her own lofty standards, Group 1 winning mare Samaready is back from a spell and under the set weight conditions of Saturday’s G3 Sportingbet Sprint, looks well placed to make it a winning return. For the first time in her career, she’ll be ridden by a jockey other than Craig Newitt with Damien Oliver now taking the reins. Newitt rides Enquare. Samaready has drawn perfectly in gate five, a barrier from which Oliver should be able to place her in the box seat. She’s a $4.80 chance and second favourite behind Shamal Wind ($4.60).

Shamal Wind has a good record at Caulfield and was unlucky first up from a spell last month in a race that has proven to be a strong form reference. The only other two runners under double figures in early betting are the ever-consistent A Time For Julia ($5.50) and the promising Girl Guide ($5.00).

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Sportingbet Sprint 2014 Field

No Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight
1 SAMAREADY Mick Price Damien Oliver 5 59kg
2 MAY’S DREAM Darren Weir Brad Rawiller 8 59kg
3 SPIRITS DANCE Peter G Moody Chad Schofield 6 58kg
4 A TIME FOR JULIA Peter G Moody Luke Nolen 9 57kg
5 ENQUARE Jason McLachlan Craig Newitt 1 57kg
6 POLITENESS Robert Smerdon Mark Zahra 7 57kg
7 SHAMAL WIND Robert Smerdon Nicholas Hall 4 56kg
8 BRILLIANT BISC Peter G Moody Ben Melham 13 56kg
9 REAL SURREAL Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes Dwayne Dunn 11 55kg
10 JESSY BELLE Luke Oliver Chris Symons 2 55kg
11 DANESTROEM Michael Kent Tommy Berry 3 55kg
12 FOREVER LOVED (NZ) Gai Waterhouse Vlad Duric 12 55kg
13 GIRL GUIDE David Hayes & Tom Dabernig Craig Williams 10 55kg

1. SAMAREADY – D Oliver (5) 59kgs

Returns to racing after a six month spell. The now 5yo mare started favourite in each of three starts during the autumn, all at Group 1 level, but the best result she posted was a third (first up) in the G1 The Lightning Stakes (1000m). Previous fresh run was also good, resulting in 1.3 length win at G3 level at this track, where she sat in the box seat, something she’ll be able to do again from gate five.

 

2. MAY’S DREAM – B Rawiller (8) 59kgs

Darren Weir’s mare has closed well in both of her recent first up runs, as she is here, each of which has come over the 1200m and includes a third to Solicit. Will be giving most a start as they turn for home but should be finishing hard out wide. Whatever she does produce, expect her to be better again next start with her second up recording reading a perfect three from three.

 

3. SPIRIT’S DANCE – C Schofield (6) 58kgs

Was in need of the run first up off a seven month spell when seventh (3.5 lengths) to Atlante in the Listed Drummond Golf Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley a fortnight ago. She was pushed forward from an inside gate to hold her position last start but from gate six here, would expect her to take a sit this time which will be more beneficial to her chances

 

4. A TIME FOR JULIA – L Nolen (9) 57kgs

Went within a long neck of making it three wins from four first up runs when second to Gregers in the Cockram Stakes three weeks ago. Her second up record is just as strong and includes a second to Red Tracer in the G2 Millie Fox Stakes and a third placing (1 length) behind Commanding Jewel and Catkins in last year’s G2 Let’s Elope Stakes. Taken some top quality mares to beat her second up in the past and if Nolen can secure an even run from an awkward draw, she’ll be hard to beat.

 

5. ENQUARE – C Newitt (1) 57kgs

Queensland galloper who didn’t fire in either of her two runs during the home-state carnival back in May, finishing well down the track in both the Gold Coast Bracelet and Fred Best Classic. Hasn’t trialled in preparation for her return off an eighteen week break but best to keep in mind that she has placed third behind Sweet Idea and has been competitive against Missy Longstocking, who has won in Melbourne, in the past. Newitt should give the daughter of Stratum her chance from the inside draw.

 

6. POLITENESS – M Zahra (7) 57kgs

We haven’t seen this Street Sense mare since she won the G3 P J Bell Stakes (1200m) during the Sydney autumn carnival back in April, defeating subsequent Group 1 winner Cosmic Endeavour by 1.3 lengths. She should be wound up for her return to racing here having had three Cranbourne Barrier Trials since the beginning of last month. Look for her to be finishing off well.

 

7. SHAMAL WIND – N Hall (4) 56kgs

First up from a spell she settled back in the field and on the fence as the 3/1 favourite in the Listed Carlyon Stakes at Moonee Valley. She angled for a run in the straight and was warming up nicely before the gap tightened at the 100m and her momentum was slowed. She finished fourth, 1.3 lengths behind Iconic and alongside Angelic Light (4th) who defeated Lankan Rupee at her next start. Just needs a touch of luck according to the speed map from gate four but will be producing her customary strong finish should it come.

 

8. BRILLIANT BISC – B Melham (13) 56kgs

Made it two from two this prep with a solid 1.3 length win in a BM 90 (1000m) at Sandown just over a fortnight ago, defeating Awasita and Ava’s Delight. As she often does, sat on the speed in both wins but may find that position harder to achieve given she’s drawn poorly here. Previous attempts at Group races have seen her come up a bit short.

 

9. REAL SURREAL – D Dunn (11) 55kgs

Secured a lovely run on the leader’s back first up in the Cockram Stakes but unlike the leader – A Time For Julia, who ran a narrow second to Gregers, she wasn’t able to produce a strong finish and battled into seventh spot (3.6 lengths). Ran a great second to Thump second up last prep in the G2 Surround Stakes but that was off the back of a more genuine first up performance. Needs to improve and the wide gate will not make that task any easier.

 

10. JESSY BELLE – C Symons (2) 55kgs

Recorded her fifth win at her thirteenth and most recent start seven weeks ago, leading all of the way to post a three quarter length win over Atlantis Dream in a BM 90 (1600m). Has continued to progress well throughout her career so far but his is clearly her biggest test to date and over this distance, think she’ll find at least a few too slick for here.

 

11. DANESTROEM – T Berry (3) 55kgs

The Mick Kent trained mare has had two runs back from a spell, finishing fifth in both a Caulfield Open (1100m) behind Gregers and a BM 90 (1100m) behind Brilliant Bisc. Did have to carry 58kgs last start so gets some weight relief here and in the middle of two poor runs last prep, did run a long neck second to A Time For Julia in the G3 Bellmaine Stakes, over this course and trip.

 

12. FOREVER LOVED – V Duric (12) 55kgs

Kept improving with each run last prep which finished with a fourth (3.2 lengths) behind Rising Romance in the Australian Oaks – form that is shaping up nicely with fillies out of that race returning in great order – just as this mare did in the Cockram Stakes (1200m) three weeks ago. The Gai Waterhouse runner settled midfield and then after a missing a run in the straight that cost her the best part of a length, regathered herself to hit the line well and finish fourth (1.8 lengths) behind Gregers. Bit of a surprise to see her sticking to 1200m and from the wide gate she’ll be giving most a stat as they turn for home but is smart and improving all the time.

 

13. GIRL GUIDE – C Williams (10)

Exciting mare who recorded her fifth win at only her seventh start when first up, she was far too good for her opposition in a BM 90 (1200m) at Moonee Valley a month ago. The Churchill Downs 5yo mare sat on the speed and when asked for effort, extended well to record an impressive three length win. This is a step up again on that race but she did win in a style that suggests she’ll be competitive.

Sportingbet Sprint 2014 odds and results:

RACE OVERVIEW

Pace will be solid from the jump here with both Girl Guide and A Time For Julia, who have each drawn wide, going forward and with the likes of Spirit’s Dance and Jessy Belle drawn closer to the fence, this could be set up for a swooper – especially with this race being late on the card.

Samaready at her best wins this and trainer Mick Price was bullish about her during the week. Oliver will get the chance to secure a lovely run in behind the pace and her first up record is rock-solid. Forever Loved was very good second up and just seems to keep improving every time she steps out on a track. She has drawn wide here but with one turn to make and a solid speed up front, could be zipping home out wide. Shamal Wind will, as more often than not, need a touch of luck give her racing pattern and the fact that she’s drawn inside whilst A Time For Julia excels in these races, and would be the pick of the on-pace runners.

  1. SAMAREADY
  2. FOREVER LOVED
  3. SHAMAL WIND
  4. A TIME FOR JULIA
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