A capacity field of sixteen runners (plus two emergencies) are entered for the Group Cameron Handicap with most runners trying to sneak a place in next month’s Epsom handicap. That’s A Good Idea and Spurtonic share early favouritism just in advance of Victorian galloper High Esteem.
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1. ALMA’S FURY – C Reith (17)
After winning the G2 Apollo Stakes and running third in the G3 Doncaster Prelude earlier in the year, the now 6yo returned from a spell with ambitious plans. He had no luck at all when twelfth of fourteen in the G3 Show Quality first up before chasing home the leading pair of Malavio and Bello in the G3 Tramway Stakes (beaten 1 3/4 lengths) Got further back than he normally does in the Theo Marks on Saturday and never threatened when eighth behind Riva De Lago on Saturday just gone. On that run, from this gate, with 59kgs, would think there are a few obstacles in front of him.
2. TOYDINI – B Shinn (15)
Lightly raced 4yo gelding who is very smart as indicated by his impressive 3 ¾ win in the G3 Carbine Club (1600m) and 2 ¼ length win in the G2 Phar Lap Stakes from four starts during his Autumn campaign earlier this year. Settled fifth when resuming in the G2 Warwick Stakes and went home well to finish fifth (beaten 2.1 lengths) behind Veyron a little over three weeks ago. His trainer Guy Walter has kept him up to the mark with a soft trial nine days ago and he’ll be cheery ripe for this race second up.
3. NIBLICK – W Egan (1)
A strong front-running type who, after claiming the Listed National Sprint (1400m) and Albury Gold Cup (2000m) in consecutive starts earlier this year, resumed with a weakening eleventh of fifteen behind Shoreham in the Listed The Sofitel (1400m) at Flemington. He’ll jump straight to the lead from his inside draw and ensure a genuine tempo but will need to find several lengths improvement on his first up run to be winning here.
4. TAGUS – (13)
He had a ten month spell after finishing mid-field in the G3 Moonga Stakes at Caulfield last spring and has returned with fair efforts in both the G3 Show County (1200m) and G3 Tramway Stakes (1400m), given the length of his break, where he finished last and twelfth respectively. Fitness is probably still on the improve after such a layoff but, for a horse who generally races in a forward position, from his wide draw he’ll find it too hard to take up a position.
5. TRANSPORTER – J Collett (3)
He was nothing if not consistent in the second tier races during the Brisbane Winter carnival. After running third in the Listed Strawberry Road (1600m) to Tokamak and Someday, he was given a brief let-up by trainer John Thompson before returning with another honest effort when sixth behind Malavio in the G3 Tramway Stakes. Will be better from that run and can stalk the speed from his good draw. Definite place chance.
6. SCREAM MACHINE – K O’Hara (2)
Jason Coyle trains this son of Excites who, as he always does, got a long way back when first up in the G2 Tramway Stakes at Randwick a little over a week ago. That race was dominated by the pair up front and he did well to finish within 3.2 lengths of the winner. Second up last prep closed well behind Havana Rey in the G2 Ajax Stakes (1500m) and will be steaming home here too.
7. CANTONESE – B Avdulla (16)
Strung together a remarkable run of victories in the latter half of last year but in five well spaced runs this year he hasn’t been able to return to the winner’s stall. He’s last start was a solid on-pace effort in the G3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) behind Coup Ay Tee when fifth (beaten 1.9 lengths). That was his first run since July and he can only be fitter but will have to do plenty of work from a wide draw to take up his customary role.
8. WILLY JIMMY – P Robl (18)
He ran a couple of cheeky races last prep finishing fourth in the G2 Apollo Stakes and a close up fifth behind Puissance De Lune in the G2 Blamey Stakes. The 8yo has only had one start back since a thirteen week spell and that was a second to last placing in the G3 Show Quality (1200m). He’ll get a long way back from the widest gate – too far back.
9. TOKAMAK – P Hammersley (9)
6yo Qld’er who was in a real purple patch of form earlier in the year, winning five of eight starts including the Listed Member’s Cup (1600m) and Listed Strawberry Road (1600m) where he defeated Someday. He’s had two runs back from a break in preparation for this in his homes-state and finished powerfully in both (over 1200m and 1300m). The step up to the mile is a tick as would be the anticipated hot speed in the race. Stays under close notice.
10. HIGH ESTEEM – J Parr (11)
A promising type from Peter Moody’s yard who strung three wins together on the trot to round out his last preparation including victory in the Listed Adelaide Guineas. He returned to racing in the G2 P B Lawrence before running a head second to Lindari (good again on Saturday in the G2 Dato’tan Chin Nam) in an Open class race at Caulfield just over two weeks ago. Moody/Parr strike rate is a good one and on his last start, is one of the leading chances.
11. PROVERB – (5)
A Darley representative who didn’t quite live up to expectations last prep during the Sydney carnival and was taken to Qld where he enjoyed the drop in grade and comfortably claimed the G3 Gunsynd Classic (1600m). He returned to racing for the first time since that win close to three weeks ago but from the tail of the field, failed to make an impression in the run home and finished second to last, beaten over seven lengths. Needs to show significant improvement.
12. ALTIUS – J Cassidy (10)
Impeccably bred 6yo who has had three runs back from a 20 month spell and who as done well in each race. He closed well enough second up behind Velrosso in a BM 90 before having no luck from a wide draw in the run when fifth (beaten 4.2 lengths) to Prince Cheri (won again on Saturday). He can improve sharply with a better run in transit.
13. PIRATE BAY – J Moreira (7)
Former import who, off three solid performances in Australia, was sent out a 4/1 chance in the Listed Lord Mayor’s Cup (2000m) at his most recent start in May where he finished eighth behind Moriarty. Since then the Kris Lees trained 5yo has had one quite trail, just over a week ago and whilst he’ll be doing his best work late, would think he could find them too sharp over this trip first up.
14. THAT’S A GOOD IDEA – G Schofield (7)
Flying Spur gelding who has won four of eleven and his last two starts in succession. He was very impressive when winning by 4 ¼ lengths at Canterbury in a BM 75 (1250m) before running very slick time as 6/4 favourite over 1200m at Randwick in a BM 85 at his most recent start Steps up significantly in distance here and as only been past 1400m once before, for a fifth in a BM 71 at Warwick Farm. Going well but the last furlong will test.
15. SPURTONIC – T Berry (6)
In fine form is this Gai Waterhouse runner who has won each of his three starts this preparation in very good style. He rolled to the front and was strong through the line when recording a 2 ¼ length win in BM 80 (2000m) at Randwick a little over a week ago. From his draw, he should be able to tag a genuine speed and with his experience over the longer trips, will be strong at the finish. Also enjoys a nice weight drop.
16. MARONEY AVENUE – (12)
It has been over a year and seven starts now since this 6yo by Snitzel has had a win. He resumed from a twenty five week spell with fair fifth of twelve at Canterbury in a Restricted race (1100m) before holding his ground behind That’s A Good Idea when seventh (beaten 5 ½ lengths) last start. Fitter again but would prefer to see him in something easier.
17. EYE STRYKER – (14)
Three of his four career wins have come at this track but in races of substantially lower quality. At 30/1, he led all the way last start to claim a BM 70 over 1300m but will be much longer odds to re-produce that effort here.
18. KOI FISH – (4)
He’s won three races from thirty-eight starts, the most recent two coming at Muswellbrook in Class 1 and Class 2 company. Aiming way too high.
OVERVIEW
Pace will be solid here with Cantonese, That’s A Good Idea and Niblick all going forward with Transporter, Spurtonic and Altius handy. Going to stick with Toydini here who comes off a very good effort first up in a Group 2 race at WFA and will appreciate the solid speed and drop in grade. His two wins over the autumn where full of authority and the Phar Lap win was at his second run back. High Esteem is another who will not have to improve much on his last start to figure here. Lovely ride gave him every chance last start and it took what a big effort by one showing plenty of promise to run him down. Spurtonic gets a lovely run, is in form, gets weight relief and is capable of filling a place.
- TOYDINI
- HIGH ESTEEM
- SPURTONIC
- TRANSPORTER