Power Princess has stuck with the preparation that saw her win this race last year. Also familiar to this race is Conservatorium (ran third last year) and 2011’s winner Grand Nirvana. Each of the runners would not surprise if there were to salute in this year’s edition of the race, given their current form. However two horses that line up in this race for the first time – Kerrific and Watersman Bay, who both come off very good performances in Group 1 races, could be the leading hopes.
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A.J. Scahill Stakes Form Guide
1. GRAND NIRVANA – D Staeck (8)
The first of two runners for trainer Fred Kersley (Operational being the other), the 8yo by Scenic commenced this campaign three starts ago in the G3 Asian Beau Stakes. He registered a solid fifth behind Platinum Rocker and was better again when a length second to Kerrific in the G3 R.J. Peters (1500m) at his next start. He stepped up then to the G1 grade of the Railway Stakes (1600m) and despite being rated a 20/1 chance, more was expected of him than his second to last finish. Better suited back to this grade but it’s been eleven starts and two years now since his last win.
2. CONSERVATORIUM – J Bowditch (7)
Came across to Western Australia after commencing this campaign with two unsuccessful runs in Victoria, and had immediate success when claiming the G2 Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) two starts back. Followed that up with a honest effort in the G1 Railway Stakes (1600m) when eighth (3 lengths) behind Luckygray, better still when revealed post race he had twisted a plate during the run. Normally takes up a forward position in the run and if he can find a spot easily enough from his wide gate, will be right in the mix.
3. KERRIFIC – P Hall (3)
Finished too well second run back from a spell when claiming the G3 R. J. Peters Stakes, defeating Elite Belle and Rohan. The 7yo backed that effort up at his next and most recent start, with a fantastic fourth (1 length) behind Luckgray in the Railway Stakes (1600m) a fortnight ago. That’s effort stands him in good stead for this race and he’ll get every chance from gate three.
4. LUKE’S LUCK – W Pike (1)
We have to go back twelve starts to the G3 Sire’s Produce of April last year to find this son of Show A Heart last win. He certainly has gone close to breaking the drought on several occasions since however. Closed well last start, his third run back from a break, in the Listed Carbine Club (1400m) behind Elite Elle but , would be he will get back from his inside draw though and need the right run in transit to be able to run them down.
5. THE CORPORATION – J Mallyon (5)
He has been consistent of late but by the same token, finding it hard to break through for a win. He led when returning from a brief let-up in the G3 Asian Beau and was in need of the run after weakening to run fourth (2.1 lengths). Showed good improvement at his next and most recent start when third behind Elite Belle and Luke’s Luck (1.8 lengths). Likely to go forward again and will be at his peak now, third run back however, does jump 4kgs on last start and untested at WFA level.
6. WATERSMANS BAY – G Smith (4)
A back-maker who has closed in very good style at his two most recent outings – the G3 Colonel Reeves (1100m) and the G1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m). He finished third in races, beaten 3.1 and 1.6 lengths respectively. Steps up to 1400m where he is yet to win from four starts (has run three seconds) but no better form reference at the moment than Buffering – winner of the Winterbottom – and has to be rated a leading chance.
7. OPERATIONAL – S Parnham (6)
A stayer by Tiger Hill resuming off a nineteen week break who is yet to register a place from three fresh runs. Not seen at any official trials and would think he’d be well accounted for in this race.
8. DOMINATING – B Parnham (2)
Resumed two starts ago in the G3 Colonel Reeves (1100m) and given he had a good run in transit and started the 7/4 favourite, he was disappointing in finishing seventh of eleven (3.9 lengths) behind The Rising. No better at his next start, the G1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) where he finished last and close to ten lengths from the winner. Hard to include off of those two efforts.
9. POWER PRINCESS – P Knuckey (9)
The only mare in the race the 7yo was out-bobbed on the line by Barakey when making her return to racing from a twenty week spell in the G3 Prince of Wales (1200m). She’s backed that since with a good performance (6th, 2.8 lengths) behind Buffering in the Winterbottom. This preparation mirrors that of last year’s successful attempt at this race and despite the wide draw, would think she’s a genuine chance of making it back-to-back victories.
RACE OVERVIEW
Kerrific’s in top form as indicated by his last start fourth in a G1 race. He returns to the 1400m here, a distance over which he posses a very strong record of 13:4-2-2. From gate three, he should be able to secure a lovely run and prove very hard to beat. Waterman’s Bay has never gone better and even though the 1400m is as far as he would like it, he’s in rare form and can make his presence felt here. Conservatorium will go forward and the amount of pressure applied – or lack of it – will be crucial to his chances. Any sting out of the track would also assist but regardless, he’ll be leading heading into the final furlong.
- KERRIFIC
- CONSERVATORIUM
- WATERMANS BAY
- POWER PRINCESS
