The feature race in Sydney on Saturday is the running of the Lord Mayor’s Cup. One of the last feature races in Sydney this season, a capacity field of nineteen have lined up to either have one last bite of the Black Type cherry this time in or, prove themselves of a trip north for the Winter Carnival. Either way, it makes for a competitive race which sees the early favourite Beaten Up at $4.50.
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1. PERMIT – (12)
The first of four runners for Chris Waller, this 6yo ran second in both the Listed Randwick City and Manion Cup before failing in the G2 Chairman’s Quality behind Tremec. That run was close to a month ago now and he generally saves his best for the Rosehill track but it has been a while since his last win.
- Permit
2. BEATEN UP – (9)
Caught the eye when making his Australian debut in the G2 Ajax Stakes before racing flat in the Doncaster Prelude a fortnight later where he finished eleventh behind Skyerush. Trainer Chris Waller than gave him three weeks off and he bounced back with a nose second to Mouro last week in the Listed Rowley Mile. Waller can normally back them up quickly and the step up to 2000m, the range he did most of racing around overseas, would appear to be a plus.
3. VATUVEI – J Parr (10)
Thought we’d see more from him than what we did when fourth up last start in the G2 Chairman’s Quality. His three runs back from a spell indicated that he’d be ready to peak in that race but instead, he finished over a dozen lengths from the winner and second to last. Couldn’t see him winning on that effort.
4. FIBRILLATION – (6)
Stuck on well two starts back in the Epona Stakes when fourth behind Aliyana Tilde (good since) and better again when stepping out on her preferred soft ground and beating all bar Kelinni home in the JRA Plate (Pirate Bay third). Rises 1.5kgs on that run here but is going well and any sting out of the track would be a bonus.
5. MORIARTY – (19)
He returned from winning the Listed Gosford Cup in January with a very pleasing effort behind Skyerush in the Doncaster Prelude before lining up in the Wagga Gold Cup last start. He got a long way back and was last as the field of fifteen turned from home but was making good ground late and finished fifth (beaten 4 ¼ lengths) behind Scream Machine. Another of Chris Waller’s on the quick back up but we know for sure that his bloke can handle it but unfortunately, he’s drawn the car park and may be near last as they turn for home here as well.
6. HOYLONNY – (2)
Starting to prove to be a costly commodity for punters is this 4yo by Lonhro and the fourth of Chris Waller’s runners. He has started 7/2, 15/4f, 7/2 and 5/1 in his last four outings but hasn’t been able to greet the judge in any of them. After running second to Lights of Heaven two starts back in the Neville Selwood, he finished last in the JRA Plate behind Kelinni three weeks back. Drawn to get a good run here and has a record of 3 wins from 5 starts this track/trip. Can he bounce back? Is $9.00 the right price to find out?
7. CRAFTY IRNA – K O’Hara (17)
Had every chance second up but couldn’t run down Thy in the Aspiration Quality at Warwick Farm in March and again, had every chance in the run where as 7/2f, she failed to produce in the Epona Stakes, running seventh and beaten 6.7 lengths. Her most recent start was a plain effort on the heavy track behind Kelinni in the JRA Plate. Even with a good draw I’d find it hard to include her with any confidence but from gate 17, no.
8. FIUMICINO – J McDonald (5)
The rising 10yo resumed from a ten week let-up with a seventh placing behind Oregon Spirit in an Open class race at Flemington a little over two weeks ago. Was in solid for over the Summer in the staying races but suspect he’ll need this run as well.
9. COURT CONNECTION – (13)
Won the Canberra Cup in March for Trainer Danny Williams before a month off and finishing well down the track behind Lights of Heaven in the Neville Selwood. Another month off and this time on a firmer footing, the six year by Lonhro produced a better effort to run fourth in last week’s Wagga Gold Cup behind Scream Machine. Don’t know if he’ll have enough improvement in him on that effort, to win this race.
10. STRIKE THE STARS – B Shinn (15)
His solitary win from 21 starts came as a 3yo in the G3 Gloaming Stakes of 2011 but the second win, still remain out of his reach. He was ok two starts back in the Neville Selwood behind Lights of Heaven and then dropped back to the mile of the Doncaster Handicap where he got back in the run and finished twelfth, five lengths from the winner Sacred Falls. Back to 2000m and a drier surface are bonuses but $19.00 for a horse with one win is unders for mine.
11. MAULES CREEK – (4)
Got to 2000m for the first time this prep at his fourth run back and produced his best effort this campaign when fourth behind Kelinni in the JRA Cup. Started 9/1 in the Wagga Gold Cup and after settling on the pace, weakened in the run home and finished over ten lengths from Scream Machine. Will go forward again but will not get the soft lead required to be in the finish.
12. PRINCE OF CAPERS – G Schofield (14)
Not prepared to right anything off that is trained by Tony McEvoy and racing in Sydney at the moment as the trainer’s strike rate in NSW is a good one. This 7yo returned to racing from a brief six week break and produced a great effort to run third behind Oregon Spirit. Can only be better for that outing but is trying a distance beyond 1700m for the first time in his career.
13. PIRATE BAY – C Reith (3)
His Australian debut run, three runs back at Warwick Farm over 1600m in March was fair and then got back in a race dominated by the leader, Messene when 3.2 length eighth in a BM 85 again over a mile. Appreciated the step up to 2000m and closed well to run third to Kelinni. That was a good effort and fourth up today, expecting him to be fitter again and would be happy to take the current quote of $5.00 if there was some cut out of the track. If not, think I’d want a few points more.
14. WINNING GLORY – (1)
We haven’t seen this gelding by One Cool Cat since he ran seventh behind Frozen Rope in an Open race at Rosehill back in February. A galloper who likes to roll along out in front, each of his six career wins have come on Slow rated tracks. Would be a good performance by horse and trainer were he to win this.
15. PEAL OF BELLS – (7)
The highlight of his last campaign was a third placing in the G3 Newcastle Cup behind Glencadam Gold. The 5yo by Clangalang returned in a BM 95 over 1400m and as expected, found them too nippy and similarly at his next and most recent start, he could only hold his position in the run to the line when seventh behind Honourable Aussie at Hawkesbury last week. Third up last prep ran third in the Wyong Cup behind Julienas.
16. SYSMO – (8)
Another Tony McEvoy runner who has tasted success in Sydney recently when winning a BM 78 at Canterbury early last month over 1550m. He then stepped up in distance and grade – both significantly, when taking on the JRA Plate over 2000m. He held his own and finished 3 ½ lengths behind Kelinni. Would think he’ll be better again for that run but prefer to see him win a race of this quality before backing him to do so.
17. ZONZA – J Ford (11)
A New Zealand galloper trained by Roger James that made her debut in the Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury last week. She finished a well beaten last there (beaten eight lengths) and would find it hard to see her turn that effort around in the space of a week.
18. ZEDLION – S Guymer (16)
The Winner of six of his thirty-seven starts, he started 4/1 favourite in the Orange Gold Cup two starts back and finished second to last after no luck in the run home. He was specked in the better at his only run since which resulted in a fifth of twelve behind Honourable Aussie in a BM 80 at Hawkesbury last week.
19. COUNT ENCOSTA – (18)
6yo who three career wins have come in succession in March/April 2010. He has had 37 starts since then without a win and after this run, it’ll be 38.
OVERVIEW
With a full field taking part, the tempo should be genuine with the likes of Winning Glory, Fibrillation, Maules Creek and Crafty Irna from wider out, all looking for a forward position. Despite the horror draw, going with Moriarty here. Think he’s shown enough in both runs back to suggest that third up over this distance is the right combination and the $10.00 on offer is enticing. This is it for Hoylonny. At $9.00, from his good draw on his favoured track, a better surface, I’ll give him one more go. Fibrillation and Sysmo the next best for mine.
