The feature race of the card is the Caloundra Cup. A full field of eighteen will make for a grand spectacle and race. Early favourite is last year’s winner Shenzhou Steeds from New Zealand galloper Zennista with local hope Rothera on the third line of betting at $6.00
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1. VOILA ICI – G Colless (15)
Started 7/2 favourite in the Ipswich Cup a fortnight back after finishing third behind Quintessential in the G2 Eagle Farm Cup but, the combination of a big weight and wide draw meant he could only finish fifth behind Anagold. Again has drawn wide and been lumped with 59kgs. Once bitten twice shy.
2. ROTHERA – J Bowditch (17)
He has been very close to the winner in all the right lead up races and last week, as 7/4 favourite, had his chance in the G3 Tatt’s Cup but finished third (beaten 2.2 lengths) behind Riayla. Awkward draw here will not make things any easier.
3. ZABEELIONAIRE – (1)
The 4yo has been entered and scratched from a few races in the past week, making his most recent effort his last place in the G2 Eagle Farm Cup. Much better suited back to the handicap conditions – a weight scale he hasn’t raced under for a while and drawn well but being his first in a month creates some concern.
4. ZENNISTA – D Browne (2)
Has had three runs during the Brisbane Winter Carnival since coming across from New Zealand and each of them have been very good. Fourth in the Lord Mayor’s Cup, third in the G3 Premier’s Cup and last start, after leading from the jump and third in the G2 Brisbane Cup behind the smart Moriarty. Drawn well to either lead or take a sit and on his last start, has to be included. Note, from seven starts, yet to win on a dry track, running two placings.
5. SHENZHOU STEED – E Wilkinson (8)
From a wide gate, he had to be ridden forward and had little left over the concluding stages in the G2 Eagle Farm Cup but at his next start, when ridden quieter, flashed home to finish a head behind Riayla in the Tatt’s Cup. Another who will produce his best with some cut out of the ground and who is in form.
6. ANAGOLD – A Patillo (7)
Hadn’t raised backer’s hopes in any of his four starts this time and then, in the Ipswich Cup as a 40/1 chance, was given a peach of ride by Patillo and scored a head win. Not many saw that win coming and he did get all the breaks in the run.
7. VERDANT – L Cassidy (16)
Finished last campaign off with the suggestion that there were better things to come but hasn’t been able to live up to the promise this preparation. He got back to last before running eleventh behind Moriarty in the Brisbane Cup before an average sixth behind Riayla in the Tatt’s Cup last week. On these efforts, he’d need to improve.
8. HIGH KIN – M Cahill (18)
He dad two starts in his home country of New Zealand since mid-April before coming to Australia and flashing home in the Ipswich Cup – his first run for a month, to finish a head behind Anagold. With that run under his belt, the bigger track and the extra trip, he looks hard to beat.
9. KAYPERS – P Hammesley (9)
Keeps threatening to win a handy race but keeps falling just short. Ran a great race fresh to run third in the Scone Cup and has been fair in two runs since – a BM 90 at Rosehill and an Open race at Randwick over 2000m. Drawn well and his only attempt at this trip previously resulted in a fifth (beaten 2.1 lengths) in the Listed Manion Cup behind Julienas. Will give a good account of himself but his strike rate needs to be accounted for in his price.
10. SAINT ENCOSTA – T Bell (11)
As he always does, he’ll get a long way back but hasn’t been able to create an impression when racing to this pattern this preparation. His most recent effort was a plain fifteen of eighteen behind Moriarty in the Brisbane Cup and would have to produce a significant turn-around.
11. RAEBURN – (12)
He has had had four runs back since returning from a nineteen month break with the latest effort, his best to date. He closed steadily for a seventh (beaten 2.9 lengths) behind Riayla in the Tatt’s Cup (2200m). Fitter again but still needs to improve and good depth to this race.
12. ZA MAGIC – R Wiggins (4)
Front running 7yo who went within a head of winning a BM 90 before beating all bar Anagold and High Kin home in the Ipswich Cup. Draw well in four and will be rolling along in front however four of his five career wins have been on heavy or slow and think he’d these conditions to prevail to produce his best.
13. ENDOR – (19)
New Zealander galloper who had solid restricted form in his home country before crossing the Tasman and running in the G3 Premier’s Cup but finding the class too rich and finishing last. Found a more suitable race at Toowoomba in a BM 85 and saluted by a length under 59kgs. Drops well in the weights but the class rise should counter that.
14. MUIRFIELD – R McMahon (14)
Been a long time since this 5yo has won a race but his last start effort in the Ipswich Cup, closing from near last on the turn to run seventh (2.6 lengths) behind Anagold. That was a slow track and looking through his history, this is definitely his preferred surface.
15. SECRET GARDEN – G Cooksley (5)
Paul Nolen trains this 4yo mare that generally gets a long way back and her most recent efforts include a fourth to Planetarium and a tenth behind Anagold in the Ipswich Cup. Would need to lift further on these efforts to when a race such as this one.
16. DAZZLE US – (20)
After winning three from five races earlier this year, trainer Bruce Hill decided to have a dip at some of the better quality staying races over the Winter Carnival with his efforts, fair at best. He was good enough behind Quintessential in the G3 Chairman’s and again last start in the Ipswich Cup when sixth but just not sure he can improve, as he would need to, any further.
17. I GOTTA FEELING – (9)
Well beaten in the Ipswich Cup two starts back before finishing fourth length second last Sunday in a BM 80 race here on the Sunshine Coast. Not on those two efforts.
18. MARKOUT – K Wharton (13)
He has been well beaten in a BM 90 and as 7/4 favourite in the Provincial Cup at Ipswich a fortnight ago and is aiming too high here.
19. BUFFETT – (14)
Been well accounted for in easier races than this recently including a Murwillumbah last Sunday. A win would certainly surprise.
20. EXCELLENT AL – (6)
Won a Class 2 two starts back, his second win from eleven career starts but is aiming way too high here.
OVERVIEW
Track conditions will play a vital role here but as of Thursday morning the track is heading for a Dead/Good rating. With that in mind, I’ll go with Sydney visitor Kaypers on top. He’s Scone Cup was a beauty before very well backed but failing when ridden on the speed at his next start. Ridden more quietly he was back to his best and finished third behind the promising Destiny’s Kiss (goes around short priced favourite in the Winter Cup at Rosehill). Think trainer Greg Bennett has opted for the right race here. Zennista gets his chance from barrier two and has been very solid in recent races that will see him in the thick of things here. Not sure what to make of Zabeelionaire. Gets into the right race, the first for some time, but so were the recent races he was scratched from. Maybe looking for the drier surface? For insurance purposes, would include him.
