As is the case with most staying races in Sydney, features races or not, Chris Waller holds a dominate hand with four runners in the field of ten. Permit, Hoylonny and Secessio ran the trifecta a fortnight ago and repeating the feat is not out of the question given all are well in the market here however, it’s interstate visitor Sysmo, from Tony McEvoy’s yard who shades the trio in early betting at $5.00. Sysmo won the Seymour Cup two starts back, continuing the stables good record in the Victorian country cups races.
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1. MAYLUCKYDAY – (2) 59kgs
The 7yo by Zabeel returned to racing off a spell with a pleasing effort, closing well from the tail of the field at Randwick over the unsuitable distance of 1400m, to finish 1 ½ lengths behind Strike The Stars and Coup Ay Tee. He then failed to make an impression in the run home behind Secessio in a 1500m Open race, finishing second to last and over four lengths from the winner. Ran third in the G1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) third up last prep, will better for having had last start and now stepping up to his right trip.
2. PERMIT – J Bowman (10)
Although his last win was back in April of 2012, the G2 Chairman’s Quality (2600m), the 7yo by Dansili has been placed at Listed level several times since and, coupled with his last start performance, should be able to figure prominently again. Last fortnight, at his second run back from a spell, he finished well behind stable-mate Hoylonny to run second, beaten a length. Third up last preparation he was narrowly defeated by Tremec in the Listed Randwick City (2200m) when carrying 59kgs. Drawn awkwardly out in ten but seems to be peaking nicely for this race.
3. HOYLONNY – P Robl (9) 57kgs
The son of Lonhro finished a disappointing last first up from a spell in the G2 Shannon Stakes (1500m) back in September and went even worse at his next start, despite the drop in grade, when near on ten lengths last in a BM 90 (1600m). Waller went back to the drawing board with the 5yo and in two barrier trails in the following month, obviously found the answer as he returned to claim an Open class (1900m) a fortnight ago here at Rosehill. It was a return to the kind of form that saw him run second to Lights Of Heaven in the G3 Neville Sellwood Stakes over this track and trip last prep. Back in form now, goes well this track/trip – three wins and a second from six starts.
4. SECESSIO – C Reith (6) 56.5kgs
Returned form a spell with a narrow win over Tromso, who subsequently won the Listed Ladies Day Cup at Hawkesbury, in an Open class race over 1500m before finishing third behind stable-mates Hoylonny and Permit in a 1900m event. Sat up on the speed last start and given the jump in distance, might’ve just felt the pinch late as the quinella in the race claimed him late. He’ll be better for having had that run, has won three from six at this track and will again be camped in or close to the lead. First attempt at a Listed race in Australia but will give them something to catch.
5. TRAVOLTA – T Berry (1) 56kgs
Frustratingly for connections and supporters, the Gai Waterhouse trained galloper ran three second placings under big weights in four starts from July to August. A brief break of ten weeks saw the 5yo return to racing in an Open class (1350m) race a fortnight ago here at Rosehill. Given his usual racing pattern, it was a surprise to see him settle near the rear of the field from where he never threatened the leading runners, finishing eighth of eleven (3.4 lengths) behind Ninth Legion. Will no doubt go forward today from his inside draw and be much better suited to this trip, a distance which he has been competitive at in Listed company previously (3rd Gosford Cup, 2nd Australia Day Cup). Expect him to be the big improver.
6. FULGUR – C Schofield (5) 55.5kgs
He stuck on well behind Secessio and Tromso when, first up from a spell, he ran third to that pair in an Open handicap over 1500m. Then, from on pace position, was flat in the run home in 1900m Open class race here a fortnight ago. He weakened from the furlong to ran sixth of eight, 4.4 lengths behind Hoylonny. Meets Hoylonny better at the weights this time around and, he’ll strip fitter again for that run but, he is new to this level of racing and would’ve liked to see more from him last start before considering him a chance here.
7. SYSMO – J McDonald (4) 55.5kgs
Stable has had plenty of success targeting Victorian country Cups in the past month and they are hoping Sysmo, who won the Seymour Cup two starts back, can continue the success interstate. The well travelled 5yo’s last start was a third placing behind Post D’France in a RST 96 at Flemington on Stakes Day where he had to carry 58kgs. His two starts over this distance range have resulted in a sixth (beaten 3 ½ lengths) to Kelinni in the Listed JRA Plate and third to Quintessential in the G3 Chairman’s Handicap and, he appears to be on target to produce another competitive effort here.
8. FROZEN ROPE – T Clark (8) 54.5kgs
He ran third in the Listed Parramatta Cup back in March this year over this track and trip but fancy he was in much better form then, compared to what he has displayed in three runs back from a spell in the past six weeks. He ran sixth to Secessio at his second run back from a spell (beaten 2.6 lengths) before at his most recent, leading and battling over the final furlong to run fifth (beaten 3.8 lengths) behind Hoylonny. Gets some weight relief but has too much ground to make up on his recent efforts.
9. FIELDMASTER – (3) 54kgs
Victorian trainer Patrick Payne prepared this horse to win a Warrnambool Hurdle Maiden first up off a twelve week break so, for him to enter his 7yo gelding in a race such as this, expect him to be going well enough to justify the interstate trip. He’s had two Cranbourne trails in preparation for this race with the most recent of them, just over a fortnight ago, a four length win over 1550m. Will get a good run from his gate just in behind the speed but should find at least a couple too good for him here.
10. SINDARIN – (7) 54kgs
The well bred Redoute’s Choice mare from the Darley operation has been running home evenly at her past two starts. She ran fifth of nine behind Index Linked in a BM 85 (1800m) before taking the step up to Open company at her latest start, when working home from the tail of the field to finish fourth (3.2 lengths) behind Hoylonny. Fourth up last prep she had every chance in the run when finishing third in the Listed Canberra Cup (2000m) behind Court Connection. Wanted to see a little more from her than we did last start or, have more pace engaged in this race than what there appears to be on paper.
RACE OVERVIEW
Travolta and Secessio will both go forward here and set the pace. Should the be happy to share the lead and not take each other on for it, they should be able to set a tempo that suits them both and prove hard for their opposition to run down. Hoylonny’s return to form last start, coupled with his efforts from earlier in the year and his liking for this circuit, all read well for this race. Sysmo, who should be afforded a lovely run behind the leaders from gate four, to round out the selections.
- HOYLONNY
- TRAVOLTA
- SECESSIO
- SYSMO
