Feature race of the day in QLD is the Listed Lough Neagh Stakes over 1350m. Last start winner of the G3 George Main Stakes – Startsmeup, is looking to make it four wins from his past five outings and six from eight, this track and distance. He’ll have to produce is best though as Phelan Ready, Steel Zip, Morning Captain and Audacious Spirit are amongst his eight competitors and are all legitimate chances.
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1. PHELAN READY – D Browne (2)
He came within a bob of the head of recording his first win since taking out the Golden Slipper back in 2009, last start in the G3 George Main Stakes. Flew home then and the step up to the 1350m can only be viewed as a bonus but surprisingly, yet to run a place in five starts this track.
Odds: $3.30
2. STARTSMEUP – P Hammersley (3)
A very good ride saw him got home right on the line first up in the G3 George Main Stakes at Eagle Farm a fortnight back. Relishes this track and trip and second up last prep saw him ran a close second to the then in-form, Irish Dream in the Listed Winter Stakes (1400m). Always gives a good account of himself and if anything, would have improved on his first up run.
Odds: $3.70
3. STEEL ZIP – B Stewart (1)
Finished well from mid-field first up to record a strong win over Phelan Ready and Audacious Spirit in the Listed race over 1200m with 56.5kgs. Meets both those horses slightly worse at the weights today but would expect that he has improved with that run under his belt. Run third to Tiger Tees in the G3 BRC Sprint this track/trip last prep on a Good track.
Odds: $5.00
4. CELTIC DANCER – T Bell (7)
Put together a very solid preparation over the winter that included a win in the Listed Prime Minister’s Cup and G2 QTC Cup – both on her preferred Heavy track. Just struggling to re-produce that form from three runs back on the harder Summer tracks and was well held in the G3 George Main stakes last start. A Summer storm would increase her chances of producing a form reversal.
Odds: $15.00
5. MORNING CAPTAIN – J Byrne (9)
He has been a very consistent horse this time in for Gold Coast trainer Kelly Dougherty and was right in the thick of it when finishing third, beaten a head, in the G3 George Main Stakes last start. Had a lovely run just of the speed last start but he has an awkward draw today and may require some luck.
Odds: $5.00
6. AUDACIOUS SPIRIT – J Lloyd (6)
Will jump to the lead, just like he has at each of her three runs this time in, and give them something to chase. He was grabbed over the concluding stages in both of he recent starts (3rd to Steel Zip and 4th to Startsmeup). Only been past the 1200m on three occasions the last two of which, he’s been well accounted for. He’ll find the last 100m his greatest challenge.
Odds: $7.50
7. EASY RUNNING – M Cahill (8)
Three runs back this preparation for Desleigh Forster with the best of them being two starts back running fourth to Steel Zip (beaten 2.4 lengths). Got back to last at his most recent outing in the G3 George Main Stakes and never sighted when finishing last (beaten 7.5). It would be some kind of turn around.
Odds: $31.00
8. JUGAHLATION – (5)
He had been racing well in BM 85-90 races before his trainer David Murphy, threw him in the deep end of the G3 Geore Moore Stakes. It wasn’t the worst run you’ll ever see by a 66/1 chance and he only finished 2.5 lengths from Startsmeup but would think that that would be the best he can produce.
Odds: $41.00
9. GO FOREST GO – I Toward (4)
7yo who has had two runs back from a ten week break for a eighth (beaten 5 lengths) in a BM 85 at Eagle Farm before, as 9/4 favourite, running second in a Ballina Open. I can’t include him on those efforts.
Odds: $51.00
SUMMARY
I’ll be sticking with obvious form line here and Startsmeup and Phelan Ready with the only danger to them, Steel Zip. Both Startsmeup and Phelan Ready will enjoy the extra 150m metres of today’s trip and will not have had to improve much a great deal to be in the finish here. Don’t underestimate the quality of Steel Zip’s first up win or current price of $6.00 he’ll make his presence felt and didn’t expect him to be twice the price of the above two.
