A field of sixteen 2yo’s line up for the Sire’s Produce Stakes with an honour roll of previous winners containing Shoot Out (2009) and Danleigh (2006) both who ended up with Chris Waller. According to the market, Waller has a good chance to win the race in his own right this year with unbeaten Zoustar the subject of good early support, firming from an opening price of $4.60 into current favouritism of $3.50.
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BRC Sire’s Produce Stakes Form Guide
1. VO HEART – E Wilkinson (16)
Show A Heart gelding who has won two from three since returning from a spell after making his debut in October of last year. He drew well last start in the G2 2yo Classic sat on the speed and held off all challenges to record a head win over Vilanova. Awkward draw here though will see him working early if he intends to hold a forward position again.
2. OCTANE FLYER – M Cahill (2)
He came from a long way back two starts ago to record his maiden win in an Open 2yo race on a slow track, defeating Single Chance and Vienna Queen. Trainer Kelly Schweida then sent him out in the G2 2yo Classic where he again got back in a race dominated by those up front, and he finished seventh (beaten 3.8 lengths). No easier here and pace of the race will be a ruling factor to his chances.
3. THE VOICE – G Boss (15)
Tony McEvoy brings this son of Northern Meteor to this race in winning form. After winning a Balaklava Maiden as 4/11 favourite, McEvoy didn’t hesitate to enter him for the G3 Sire’s Produce at Morphettville which he won by ½ length over Murtle Turtle. Obviously a progressive galloper and trainer rarely misses when he enters these races however, happy to risk him in the better company and from wide gate.
4. VILANOVA – J Bowman (8)
Well performed galloper from NZ who, having his first start for Chris Waller in the G2 2yo Classic first up last fortnight; went within a head of running down Vo Heart. The son of Commands can only be better for that run (his first for more than three months) and the fact that Bowman is sticking with him here, should be taken as a positive indicator. Would consider him a live chance here at good each way odds ($8.00)
5. ZOUSTAR – (10)
Has won two from two for Chris Waller and, after winning is maiden at Canterbury, jumped straight to Open company and displayed good determination to hold off a late challenge by Divine Calling to score by a length. He steps up in class again here but can’t knock either win of this son of Northern Meteor and, as soon as markets opened, he was very well supported.
6. LE VAL – R McMahon (13)
He made his debut for trainer Noel Doyle on Easter Monday, running second to Hooked in a 2yo Open class race before tracking into the race nicely around the turn at his next start and, displaying a good finish late to claim the Listed Ken Russell Memorial. It was an impressive win by the son of Snitzel on the Gold Coast last start and at only his second start – the step up to 1350m should hold no fears and still open to further improvement.
7. HOOKED – R Wiggins (3)
Won his first two starts in very good style (by margins of 2 ¾ and a length) and off the back of those efforts, was sent out a 13/4 favourite in the G2 2yo Classic at Eagle Farm a fortnight back. From a wide gate, the son of Casino Prince settled back and made very good ground late in a race dominated by those on the speed, running fourth (beaten 1 ¾ lengths). He lost no admirers last start and more than capable of bouncing back here.
8. ARCHITECT – C Munce (12)
Put together a very promising first campaign in the later part of last year, which included a third to Missy Longstocking in the G3 Bruce McLachlan Stakes. His two runs back however, haven’t reflected the promise shown then and he has finished well down the track in both the G2 2yo Classic and last week, in the Listed Dalrello Stakes. Needs to lift.
9. LONDEHERO – G Colless (5)
A gelding by Lonhro who despite being placed three from his four starts, is still searching for his maiden win. From gate three, Colless gave him a sweet run in the Ken Russell Memorial and at the 200m mark, the Matthew Dunn trained galloper looked set to score but he’s run peaked at the 100m and he was overran by Le Val. He steps up again to 1350m and need to be a lot stronger at the end of this race.
10. PAXIMADIA – K McEvoy (6)
Made his debut for Darley with a win at Warwick Farm over 1400m on Anzac Day and at his next and most recent start, reared at the start and settled at the tail of the field before finishing fourth, 7 ½ lengths behind Zoustar at Hawkesbury. Should get a nice run from six but on what we’ve seen to date, would place several in front of him.
11. ONE GREY – J Byrne (7)
Defied the betting drift of 9 out to 12-1 when scoring by four lengths on debut in a Sunshine Coast maiden and has since backed that up with a second placing, beaten 2 lengths on a heavy track, behind Doughty in a Class 1 on the Gold Coast. Prepared to cut him some slack despite being beaten as 5/4 favourite last start and can improve on a better track but not enough to be competitive this
12. MISSY LONGSTOCKING – D Browne (1)
The first of five fillies in the race, she registered her fifth win from seven starts – albeit just – with a short head victory in the Listed Lancaster Stakes (1200m) last start. That followed an eye-catching and unlucky fourth behind Le Val in the Listed Ken Russell Memorial at the Gold Coast, where she was resuming from a spell. Only does what she has to does this filly and did record a 1 ¼ length win over Sweet Idea last prep. Definite hope.
13. GLOBAL DREAM – M Rodd (9)
A Fastnet Rock filly who had won one of four starts before being spelled in mid-January and returning with a good third behind Vo Heart and Vilanova in the G2 2yo Classic. She settled in a good position last start and had her opportunity but, she was first up and it was also her first look at soft conditions.
14. BOUND FOR EARTH – G Schofield (4)
Good winning on debut for John O’Shea when scoring by 1 ½ lengths at Canterbury on the 24th April and enough of that win did O’Shea think, that he brought the daughter of Northern Meteor up for tilt at the G2 2yo Classic at Eagle Farm. From the widest gate, she got back in the run and, in a race dominated by those on the speed, did well from eleventh on the turn to run fifth (beaten 2.6 lengths). Much more favourable draw today will have her in the firing line from the jump.
15. ROSENET – (14)
Made her debut two weeks ago for Trainer Bruce Hill and saluted, winning an Ipswich Maiden by the narrowest of margins. Had every chance in the run on debut but the steep rise in class coupled with the poor draw will make this too hard.
16. FORELOCK – L Cassidy (11)
John Morrissey trains this daughter of Iffraaj who has failed to show much in either run she’s had thus far. She got back and finished mid-field on debut behind Octane Flyer when 40/1 and started at 66/1 when ninth (beaten 6.9 lengths) behind Le Val in the Ken Russell Memorial. Not here.
OVERVIEW
Think Hook ($7.50) was a victim of a wide gate and poor track last start yet, still applied himself well and from a much more suitable draw today, will be able to make it three wins from four starts. Vilanova ($8.00) was very good first up for Chris Waller and wouldn’t have had to come on much from that run, to be a force here. He’s drawn poorly and mapped him to get a long way back however; there was a lot to like about Le Val’s ($15.00) win on the Gold Coast. He was very strong at the end of 1200m and a solid tempo here over the extra trip, should play into his favour. Zoustar at his opening price of $4.50-$5.00 was at about the right mark but since shortening up to $3.50, would be prepared to shop around him.