The curtain-raiser to the main event of the day see a wide open affair with early favourite Lightinthenite at $4.00 but five more at single figure odds.
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1. PRAIRE STAR – B Melham (4)
Yet another import representing the OTI Racing team who showed good form last prep in France, running second in a G3 event over 3100m beating Tac De Boistron and Brigantin and followed that up with a another placing in a G2 race (3100m). His last start before leaving for Australia however was a disappointing last of eleven, beaten 7.6 lengths in a G2 back in August. If he produces his best, should be in the mix and has been kept relatively safe at $7.00
Odds: $6.50
2. BAGMAN – B Rawiller (3)
He’s on the quick back-up after finishing fifth in the Cranbourne Cup last Sunday. He won two Listed races over 1600 and 1800m prior to that in Adelaide. Very consistent type who will get every chance from a good draw but a slight query remains over him running out a strong 2000m
Odds: $8.50
3. EXTRA ZERO – N Hall (9)
Six year old gelding from the David Hayes yard who wasn’t bad when resuming in a Listed race at Flemington behind Fawkner and backed that up at his most recent start when holding his ground for sixth (beaten 5.4 lengths) behind the promising Callanish three weeks back. Second (Spirit Song) and third (Midnight Martini) from that race have both raced fantastically well since and this trip third up, looks ideal.
Odds: $13.00
4. SHEWAN – G Boss (7)
He has drawn poorly at each of his three runs back this preparation, meaning he has got a long way back in each run. His last start was a twelfth of sixteen in the G3 Naturalism Stakes but I’d be more inclined to look at his form prior to this prep which includes a win in last year’s Herbert Power (2400m). Could be a significant improver.
Odds: $9.00
5. LIGHTINTHENITE – C Williams (2)
Lightly raced five year old from the John O’Shea stable who is lining up for only his thirteenth start. He was very good first up in the Cameron Handicap behind Rolling Pin (who has continued his good form) and good again when fourth in the Epsom Handicap last start, beaten just on 2 lengths. Obviously very smart with the only question mark being that this is his first try at the distance.
Odds: $3.70
6. MAULES CREEK – C Reith (6)
After pleasing efforts in the Warwick and Chelmsford stakes early in his prep, he was sent out a leading chance in the G3 Kingston Town Stakes over the more suitable trip of 2000m but failed behind Stout Hearted, finishing a well beaten seventh. A better effort last start behind Mourayan and Western Symbol in the WFA Craven Plate, where he finished fifth (beaten 2.3), sees him with a nice weight drop to his advantage here. Shouldn’t be too far away.
Odds: $7.50
7. VAL CHAMP – J Bowman (1)
Yet another former import, this one from previously from Argentina who has been with the Anthony Freedman stable for his two Australian runs. He has been well beaten at both of them and a significant improvement would be required to be a contender.
Odds: $26.00
8. DAME CLAIRE – P Mertens (11)
A five year old mare who won the Listed RM Ansett Stakes (2414m) at Mornington two starts back and backed that up with a third in the Listed Bart Cummings at her most recent start behind Tanby. Might’ve worried the winner had she gone straight and not been difficult for her jockey to ride out. She drops back to the 2000m and has a wide draw as two obstacles she’ll need to overcome.
Odds: $15.00
9. ANUDJAWUN – (8)
From his thirty starts has only recording the one win – a Bendigo 2yo Maiden back in 2010. Has teased his connections – and punters – several times since with placings in Group Races but it’s been that long he has probably forgot what to do when he gets to the front.
Odds: $26.00
10. PROLIFERATE – M Walker (12)
Won his first three races including the Listed Myer Fashion (1800m) and then returned with a encouraging second in the G2 Autumn Stakes in February but since, hasn’t delivered on the early promise shown. He has had two starts this time in with the most recent of them being fourth of eight behind Bagman in the Listed Tokyo City Cup.
Odds: $12.00
11. PACINO – D Oliver (5)
Grand old campaigner who is lining up to face the starter for the seventy third time but, based on his last start victory at Manang – his first since a Geelong win back in March 2011, he’ll only be making up the numbers here.
Odds: $41.00
12. WATERFORD HILL – C Newitt (10)
He won three in a row during the winter before a short spell. He resumed in the G2 Theo Marks but finished a well beaten seventh behind Ambidexter and then had little luck in a more suitable race where he finished fifth of ten in RST 78.
Odds: $7.50
OVERVIEW
Only question around Lightinthenite would be at this trip, one he tackles for the first time in his career – should get every chance to do so from his inside draw and at his early quote, would be prepared to find out. Extra Zero comes out of a very hot form race. Winner is the unbeaten Callanish, second – Spirit Song ran second in the G1 Toorak last week and third placed Midnight Martini, was dominant when claiming the Cranbourne Cup on Sunday. He represents good eachway value at $9.00. Should the import, Prarie Star be able to reproduce his overseas form from earlier in the year, he’ll be right in the mix and expecting a far better effort this week from Shewan.
