South Australia’s premier sprint race sees a capacity field of eighteen runners lining up. Peter Moody won this race last year with his champion mare Black Caviar and this year is represented by Moment Of Change who, at an early quote of $1.85, looks set to give the Trainer back-to-back victories. Next in betting is Yosei ($7.00) and Facile Tigre ($8.50) with all other runners well into double figure prices.
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1. MOMENT OF CHANGE – L Nolen (6)
Chased home stable-mate Black Caviar when first up in the G1 Lightning Stakes and was then collared right on the line by Shamexpress in the G1 Newmarket Handicap, where he gave the winner 5kgs. He was given a let up of seven weeks after his poor performance in finishing last in the G1 Canterbury Stakes behind Pierro at his most recent start. Clearly a better horse than that, drawn perfectly in six and probably will not get any better chance than here, to claim his second G1 race.
2. PLATELET – B Melham (5)
She indicated last preparation with a second to Bel Sprinter and a close up fifth behind Buffering in the G2 AJ Moir Stakes that a good race was well within her reach and last start, the 4yo mare by Strategic, delivered on that promise with a very good win in the G1 Robert Sangster at WFA. Has won six of her eighteen starts, been placed a further ten occasions and never finished worse than 5th in a race. From her draw here, expect she’ll be able to keep that record intact.
3. GENERAL TRUCE – N Hall (3)
As he does every preparation, this 5yo by Brief Truce picked up a good race last start where he enjoyed the solid pace to finish over the top of his rivals and claim the G3 D C McKay Stakes (1100m). Gets back in his races and drawing inside here, may seem require a little luck in running. Enjoys racing in Adelaide but in eight attempts at this distance, he is yet to win.
4. OUTLANDISH LAD – J Holder (11)
7yo who has been raced sparingly this time in with his most recent start being a month ago in the G3 R N Irwin Stakes (1100m) where he finished sixth (beaten 3 lengths) behind Kulgrinda with Platelet second. Start prior was a ½ length fifth behind Loveyamadly in the Abell Stakes (1200m). Carried 58.5 and 59.5kgs in the above runs and drops to 56 here and also supports very good stats at this track/trip.
5. GALAH – K McEvoy (17)
Tackles this race first up since running thirteenth in the G2 The Villiers (1600m) in December of last year. First up last prep, he closed very well behind Hallowell Belle and King’s Rose in the G2 Gilgai Stakes. Set for this first up and with any luck from the wide draw, should be finishing hard.
6. RIZIZ – S Price (4)
Got a lovely run in transit to win the Listed Oakbank Stakes (1100m) over the Easter Carnival and followed that up with a sixth placing (beaten 3 ¾ length) a fortnight ago in the G3 D C McKay Stakes behind General Truce. Camped on a hot speed then and would expect him to hold a prominent position again from gate four but will find the quality of opposition too good.
7. FACILE TIGRE – B Rawiller (8)
Trainer Jason McLachlan travels this well performed son of Catbird down from Queensland’s Sunshine Coast and given his second placing behind Mrs Onasis in the G1 Oakleigh Plate in February, the trip should be well worth it. He has drawn to be able to tag Moment of Change throughout and gets four kilos of that horse today. He is the obvious danger.
8. AMAETHON – D Lane (14)
Resumed from a 12 month spell with a very good second behind African Pulse in an Open race at Caulfield where he carried 60kgs. He then drew the widest gate in a similar grade of race and after settling at the tail of the field, ran seventh (beaten 2.2 lengths) behind Vatican, again under the steadier of 60kgs. Won’t know himself with 54.5kgs and should also enjoy the solid tempo. Opened at $21 with Sportsbet and that price has been halved already.
9. SHELLSCRAPE – D Dunn (2)
Returned to racing after a failed career at stud and stepped out for the first time in 2 years in the G3 D C McKay Stakes last fortnight. After settling on the speed, he felt his condition late and finished a well beaten tenth. Will more than likely need this run as well.
10. ZEDI KNIGHT – C Symons (1)
Despite being an 8yo, this Zedative gelding very rarely runs a bad race and that was the case with his most recent outing. Under 58kgs, he settled on the pace from his inside draw and, with a little bit more luck in the straight, may have seen him make up the long neck he finished from eventual winner, Vatican. Drawn inside again, will be on the speed and last time he carried close to this weight, he won the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) defeating Launay.
11. ZAMORAR – V Colgan (10)
Relished the softer tracks last preparation where he was placed in races such as the G3 Bletchingly (1200m) behind Ready to Rip and G2 P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m) behind Second Effort. Hadn’t raced for eight months when, from a wide gate he settled at the tail of the field in the RN Irwin Stakes and failed to make any ground in the run home. Without some significant rainfall, expect him to find this too hard.
12. CONSERVATORIUM – J Bowditch (18)
A local galloper who had a tilt last preparation at some good races in WA finishing fifth in the G1 Winterbottom Stakes and then placing third in the A J Scahill Stakes. Returned to racing in the D C McKay Stakes and stuck on better than most who settled handy to finish fifth (beaten 3.6 lengths) behind General Truce. Can only be better for that run but the barrier will make it a challenge too hard.
13. PERTURBO – S Baster (12)
He caught the eye finishing hard second up in the Listed Bob Hoysted up the Flemington Straight before a month’s break and finishing well down the track behind It Is Written at Moonee Valley in an Open Handicap. He had no luck around the tight Valley circuit last time out and had indicated by his effort in the Hoysted, that capable of producing a big finish.
14. JUSTIFY THAT – K Bishop (16)
5yo by King of Prussia that has had five start this time in with the pick of them being his second up effort when 1 ¼ lengths fifth behind Just Discreet in the Listed Matrice Stakes (1300m). Will be safely held.
15. KARACATIS – P Gatt (7)
Lightly raced and well bred son of Hussonet trained by Richard Jolly who has won two of four this time in. His most recent start was off a seven week break and was a head second to General Truce in the D C McKay Stakes. Improving with every run this time in but a race like this one might be a bit too soon for him.
16. MEADOWS JIM – D Tourneur (13)
Probably ran the race of his life when, as a 100/1 shot he closed without luck to run fourth in the G3 RN Irwin Stakes (1100m) behind Kulgrinda at WFA with Platelet second. Off that effort started 12/1 in the D C McKay Stakes but failed to make an impression from the tail of the field this time, finishing seventh (beaten 4.9 lengths).
17. YOSEI – M Payne (9)
5yo mare who last win was the G1 Tatt’s Tiara back in July of 2011 – eighteen starts ago. However since that win, the daughter of Invincible Spirit has been placed in the G1 Toorak Hcp 4th in the G1 Emirates. She was first up in the G1 Robert Sangster and caught the eye finishing hard to run second behind Platelet when beaten 1.2 lengths. Whilst her second up record doesn’t support it, it’s hard not to concede that she is a big chance off the back of her last start.
18. ALTAR – V Duric (15)
Found the inform Arinosa too slick in her first two runs back from a break when fourth (beaten 2 ½ length) in the G3 Birthday Card and eighth (beaten 5.5 lengths) in the G2 Sapphire Stakes. Raced in tight conditions and did well to finish 1 ¾ behind Platelet in the G1 Robert Sangster a fortnight ago under WFA conditions. Drops to the winnable weight of 52.5kgs but her poor strike rate and wide gate are cause for concern.
OVERVIEW
After opening at $1.95, it was no surprise to see the $2.00 that was momentarily offered about Moment of Change quickly snapped up and the 4yo is now into $1.85. Given his runs in the Lightning and Newmarket, it’s hard to argue the price on offer and he’s clearly the one to beat. Trailing him throughout will be Facile Tigre and he’s the main danger. To round out the trifecta, there are a few at a price that could add value. Nothing wrong with Platelet’s form and she gets a nice run from six but is weighted to her best and the weight of early money for Amaethon ($12) has been strong and can’t be ignored.
