Feature race at Caulfield this Saturday is for the sprinters – the Sir John Monash Stakes. Group 1 winner Mrs Onassis returns from a spell and shares early favouritism with Happy Galaxy at $3.30. With last start winners Second Effort and Pago Rock also taking part, this will be a competitive race.
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Sir John Monash Stakes Form Guide
1. ATOMIC FORCE – SCRATCHED
2. STANZOUT – G Boss (2)
Rising 11 year old who surprisingly returns to racing after being retired eight months ago. Whilst he has been competitive in this company previously, you have to go back to August 2010 – 27 starts ago now, to find his last win. Won a Cranbourne barrier trial earlier this week but hard to see him winning here first up.
3. ZEDI KNIGHT – C Symons (5)
Has been racing honestly this time in but is finding it hard to break through for that elusive win. He ran second here over this trip to Mr. Make Believe in Open company four starts back and at his most recent outing, ran a head second to Last Gift again, here at Caulfield. Will get his chance again from barrier five but under these race conditions, will find it hard to win.
4. SKYTRAIN – S Arnold (8)
Winner of the G3 Southern Cross in February, defeating Streama on his preferred Heavy conditions (has won five from ten on heavy) and among his four starts since then, has finished a head second in the Listed Hall Mark Stakes and seventh (beaten 2 ¼ lengths) to Howmuchdoyouloveme in the Healy Stakes in Brisbane a at his most recent start, three weeks ago. Has ability but can be a tricky horse to catch. Arnold will need to hold him up for one last crack at them. Only previous Melbourne effort was a poor one, finishing last at Flemington back in Feb. 2012.
5. SECOND EFFORT – B Rawiller (4)
A locally trained galloper who won his second Wangoom Hcp at his most recent start, back on the 1st of May, his first win since claiming the G2 P. B. Lawrence Stakes here at Caulfield last August. Loves the wet does this son of Mossman (has won 9 from 11 on slow/heavy) and if those conditions prevail on Saturday, will be well in the mix from his good draw.
6. PAGO ROCK – C Schofield (1)
Since returning from an eight month spell, this David Hayes galloper has won two of his three starts including a narrow Flemington victory last start three weeks ago, where he defeated Zamoar. That effort took his record to nine wins from seventeen starts and he remains unbeaten at this trip from three attempts. From gate one he should be placed to advantage throughout and despite stepping up to the WFA scale, must be rated a chance.
7. ZAMORAR – J Mott (11)
After returning from an eight month spell with a disappointing effort in the G3 RN Irwin Stakes in Adelaide, this 4yo was given another ten weeks in the paddock before returning with a much better at Flemington three weeks ago. He closed well but was out-bobbed by Pago Rock on the line, giving the winner 2.5kgs. Meets him level at the weights today and will strip fitter and hasn’t missed a place in five starts at this track however, the gate may prove his undoing.
8. BIG BUDDIE – (7)
Winner of three of his twenty-four starts, this 4yo by Lago Delight has contested some very smart races and, on the odd occasion ran well as he did when third in the G3 Rubiton Stakes over the track and trip backing February. However, judging by his two runs back from a brief let-up, where he has finished tenth and twelfth respectively, he won’t be worrying the winner here.
9. HAPPY GALAXY – D Dunn (6)
A smart galloper who has won five from eight starts including his most recent run, back in February of this year, the G2 Expressway Stakes. That followed a convincing 2 ¾ length victory here in the Zedative Stakes, albeit against only an opposition of three, but it does give him experience on a tricky track. Improved with each start last time in, sparingly raced and would think we’re yet to see the best of him.
10. MRS. ONASSIS – B Avdulla (3)
A General Nediym mare who has won eight from twenty starts and both here starts over this track and trip including the G1 Oakleigh Plate earlier this year. As she did then, has drawn nicely and will be able to sit on the speed. Haven’t seen her at the trial in preparation for her return to racing here but given that she’s won her last two fresh runs at G1 and Listed level, trainer Gerald Ryan will now doubt know she’s ready.
11. ELITE ELLE – (9)
Tony Vasil trains this filly who has won two of her six starts this preparation. She stuck on very well last start under the steadier of 60kgs to finish third behind Impulse Bay in a 3yo handicap and whilst she drops to 56kgs today, obviously the significant rise in grade will be testing.
OVERVIEW
Obviously the speed will be on from the jump here and would think Pago Rock will need to be ridden out to hold his spot, with Zamoar coming across from a wide gate and Happy Galaxy from the centre. Mrs. Onassis gets the trail on them from her gate and with a 2.5kgs advantage on her main rival Happy Galaxy, coupled with her good record at this track, it may be enough to see her get the upper-hand. Herself and Happy Galaxy should fight this out with Pago Rock and Skytrain to round out the placings.
