A small field line up for race 5 – the Listed Carrington Stakes and, with most tackling this race first up from a spell, it’ll be a tricky race for punters to assess. Early Favourite with Sportsbet is the lightly raced and well bred filly from Gai Waterhouse’s yard – No Looking Back ($2.80), in advance of another well bred runner, Maroney Avenue ($4.00).
1. SKYTRAIN
Had a lovely run on the leader and eventual winner’s back, Adebisi last week in the Listed Razor Stakes and every chance in the straight to run that horse down but weakened late to finish sixth, beaten 3 ¼ lengths. He does posses a superior second up record and five of his seven career wins have been here at Rosehill. The concern is the quick-back and the fact that his last three wins have been on Slow and Heavy.
Odds: $8.00
2. ZARATONE
Only knows one way to race and that’s flat-out so expect him to shoot across from the wide gate. He resumed this preparation three runs back with a close third to Famous Seamus (beaten .6 length) in the Listed Lightning Handicap 1100m at Randwick. His two subsequent runs however, haven’t been encouraging and he has raced handy and weakened in both to finish eleventh of thirteen (beaten 9.9) at Flemington over the carnival and last start, three weeks ago (beaten 8.8) behind Pentasia. Back to his favourite track/trip but don’t know if that’ll be enough to correct his last two efforts.
Odds: $8.00
3. MOTSPUR
A 10yo who lines up for the first time since finishing sixth (beaten 6.3 lengths) behind Too Many Reds in a Doomben Open handicap in late September with 57.5kgs. Kicked off that campaign with a win in the Listed Prydes Easifeed at Scone where he narrowly won from Stratana and Sutton Queen. Like he did prior to that win, he’s performed well in two recent barrier trials and from his good draw, shouldn’t be underestimated.
Odds: $9.00
4. BALAVAN
A 7yo Bel Esprit gelding formerly with Tony Vasil, now under the care of Chris Waller. Has won seven of his fifteen starts but we haven’t seen him on the racetrack since November of last year where he finished last in a Ballarat Open class race. Ran third in a Warwick Farm barrier trail two weeks back but prefer to see him go around here.
Odds: $13.00
5. NO LOOKING BACK
A smart filly who returns to racing for the first time since finishing 4.4 lengths behind Pierro in this year’s Golden Slipper. She has looked good in the two barrier trials she’s stepped out in readiness for her return, including a second at her most recent trial where she was a length behind Exceed and Exalt. Takes on the older horses for the first time but despite that and being first up for close to eight months, has opened up $2.80, which would be as short as I’d like to see her.
Odds: $2.80
6. SOLEDAD
Stable-mate to Skytrain who had a quite trial on the 17th December in preparation for his return to racing here. The 4yo by Commands improved with each run last time in and posted two wins and four placings in his six start campaign. Drawn awkwardly and will be better suited over more ground but look for him to be running on late.
Odds: $13.00
7. THE RINGMASTER
A Queensland galloper whose last start resulted in a third placing (beaten .6 lengths) behind The Sixties and Motspur in an Open class race at Doomben in August. Meets Motspur some 7kgs worse off and would think he is likely to find a few here, too good.
Odds: $13.00
8. MARONEY AVENUE
A Snitzel 5yo trained by Scone conditioner Rod Northam who from six starts, is yet to taste defeat. Each of those wins have been on Country/Provincial tracks but by the same token, each win – bar one, has been by a comfortably margin with the most recent of them being a 1 ½ length win at Tamworth under 58kgs over Subarc. No trial for us to gauge him on but bookies are taking no chances at $4.80 – bit too short for mine.
Odds: $4.00
SUMMARY
Zaratone leads and as much as I’m expecting an improved effort from him, just can’t include him on his last two efforts and, couple with some questions marks over others – Skytrain (quick back-up?) Balavan (first up for over a year?), No Looking Back (takes on the older horses first up and $2.80), leaves me with a 10yo in Motspur! His Trainer Kris Lees, produced him for a first up Listed win at Scone last prep and they’ve stuck with the two trial formula that worked then, here. At $8.00, think he’s worth an each-way ticket.
