The final event on the card and, as has been the case in recent weeks, a tough one from a punters perspective. Several runners back up from the BTC Cup, a few from the Scone Carnival and throwing in a couple from Adelaide and New Zealand, it makes for a wide open market.
Luxbet Free BetSportsbet Free BetBookmaker Free Bet
1. MIC MAC – C Reith (13) – SCRATCHED
2. DECISION TIME – P Robl (12)
Ran his typically honest race last start in the Listed Luskin Start (1300m) at Scone to finish third (beaten 1.4 lengths) behind Fontelina and Riva De Lago carrying 60.5kgs. Will have his work cut out for him to find a spot from his wide gate but does have the services of in-form Robl and, if he can find a comfortably spot early, will finish hard.
3. HOT SNITZEL – N Rawiller (3)
He bolted in with the G3 Sebring Stakes two starts back on a slow track at Rosehill before a month’s break and returning in the Listed Prime Minister’s Cup (1300m). A wide draw and a big weight were his undoing in the Prime Minister’s and would expect a better effort from him here from a better draw. Is three from three on slow ground so connections will be wanting rain.
4. CONSERVATORIUM – J Bowditch (17)
Adelaide galloper who applied himself well when contesting some of the leading WA sprint races over the Summer. The 5yo by Royal Academy retuned with a pleasing effort in the D C McKay (1100m) at Morphettville and backed that up with a half length second to Platelet in the G1 Goodwood at his next and most recent start. Goes up 2kgs on the Goodwood and, combined with his wide draw, would be looking to others.
5. STARTSMEUP – B Stewart (1)
Ran off his feet early when resuming in the G2 Victory Stakes but was doing his best work late when fifth (beaten 4.9 lengths) behind Buffering before again, doing his best work late in the BRC Sprint to finish seventh (beaten 2.1 lengths) behind Belltone. Not a great deal of room last start but once clear, liked the way he finished off and this race third up suits. Has a good eachway chance.
6. SMOKIN JOEY – L Cassidy (16)
Returned from a nineteen week spell with an eye-catching effort in the Listed Thoroughbred Club Cup (1200m) at Caulfield and backed that up with an unlucky second to Hot Snitzel in the G3 Sebring Stakes at Rosehill. He was well out of his depth in at his most recent start, the G1 WFA All Aged Stakes and much better suited back to this grade. As always, will need his fair share of luck in the run given he gets back but if that luck comes, does posses a very big finish.
7. STEEL ZIP – (14)
Very good and a touch unlucky when resuming with a fourth behind River Lad in the Listed Bribie Handicap but then had his chance in the run to do better than his eighth in the Prime Minister’s Cup on the Gold Coast. Fair home last start in the BTC Cup behind Belltone and has won three of nine starts here but on his last effort, needs to lift.
8. BORDER REBEL – T Bell (8)
Rising 8yo whose last win was at this track back in March of last year, seven starts ago. Tried hard when sitting on the pace and finishing fourth (beaten 1.1 lengths) behind Famous Seamus in the Hinkler Quality before again, settling handy to the speed but not being able to match Satin Shoes and Anise late in the Ortensia Stakes at Scone a fortnight ago, finishing third Makes his own luck and last start was good enough for here. He is 4 from 4 on heavy tracks so any rain significantly increases his chances.
9. MAHISARA – J Cassidy (7)
Bold front-running galloper who set a cracking pace and stuck on well for fourth in the Prime Minister’s Cup two starts back (beaten 1 ¼ lengths) before going even closer in the BTC Sprint at his last start, only being run down in the final stages by Belltone and finishing second. As has been the case at his last two starts, might have to work a bit for the lead but from seven, is capable of getting it the lead easy enough and prove hard to run down.
10. MORNING CAPTAIN – J Byrne (15)
Nothing if not honest is this 4yo by Danbird. He resumed in the Prime Minister’s Cup, draw the widest gate, got back but finished well to run seventh, two lengths from the winner Famous Seamus. He has since backed that effort up with a fourth (beaten 1 ¼ lengths) behind Belltone in the BTC Sprint where again he drew wide and was forced to cover ground. Unfortunately, he’s drawn wide again and that will see him working harder than others in the run.
11. MISS STELLABELLE – C Munce (9)
Despite drawing well in her recent starts, she continues to get too far back in the run before finishing well. That was the case in the G2 Sapphire Stakes (2nd to Arinosa), Listed Darley Crown (4th to Aerobatics) and at her most recent start in the Listed Dark Jewel (3rd to Arctic Flight). Takes on the older horse and males here but does get good weight relief and should go forward. Live chance.
12. GRIFFON – (2)
A back-maker who gets out to 1300m distance for the first time since finishing third in the Listed Ladies Day Cup at Hawkesbury, back in November 2010. He’s run fourth in both an Eagle Farm Open (behind Benny’s Buttons) and Listed Chief De Beers (behind Pentasia) at two runs back this time in but of his five career wins, four have been at 1000/1100m and one at 1200m. The last 100m will be his challenge.
13. CELTIC DANCER – (6)
Winner of this race last year but was in much better form then when compared to now and also, was on his favoured heavy track conditions where he has won three of four. He ran eighth behind Benny’s Buttons in an Eagle Farm Open before, at his most recent start, finishing third in an Open race on the Sunshine Coast behind Pellegrini under 58kgs. Drops significantly in weight but would need a heavy track before considering him any chance.
14. DOZITMATERANYWAY – (5)
A former NZ galloper who is now under the guidance of local trainer Liam Birchley and hasn’t raced since competing in the G3 Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) in April. Prefer to see.
15. LATIN NEWS – (10)
Former handy sprinter who, now as a 6yo, may have his best days behind him judging by his three runs in this preparation. He’s competed in the Hinkler Quality, the Prime Minister’s Cup and Listed Chief De Beers and finished seventh, eleventh and last respectively. Not on that form.
16. GALAH – K McEvoy (11)
He started favourite in his last three starts last prep including the Listed Festival Stakes and G2 Villier Stakes but let punters down on each occasion. Resumed in the G1 Goodwood Handicap (1200m) and finished fairly enough to run eighth of sixteen (beaten 2 lengths) behind Platelet. Would only be better for that run but prefer to see him win a race of this nature before tipping him to do so.
17. MYSTICAL GREY – G Goold (4)
8, soon to 9yo who is tackling this race first up from a twenty week spell. There are easier races available to him to commence his campaign.
OVERVIEW
Good pace as always is the case with any race that Mahisara is involved in. He’ll be allowed to roll in front and the drop back in distance of 50m, could prove vital. Expecting an improved effort today from Hot Snitzel who, from a lovely draw, should be able to tag the speed, just as he did in the Sebring Stakes and been in lovely spot as they turn. Would love to see Miss Stellabelle take a forward spot – the pace should be genuine enough for her to do so and, despite taking on the boys, with 53kgs on her back, think she’s a live chance. Startsmeup. Ideally, would’ve preferred to have seen him draw out but from one, might get the run that’s often needed to win these kind of races and Decision Time, always honest in these races, the next best.
