The second G1 race of the day is the final leg of the 2yo Triple Crown series. A field of fourteen (ten colts/gelding and four fillies) make up the field with winner of the ATC Sires Produce Stakes Guelph, looking to continue the fillies dominance of the 2yo races this season. She’s holds favouritism at $2.40 from Criterion and Fast ‘n’ Rocking both of whom are $6.00.
Luxbet Free BetSportsbet Free BetBookmaker Free Bet
1. RIOCETTO – B Avdulla (7)
Ran third on debut in a Wyong Maiden and followed that up with a good fourth, in Maiden Class again, behind Zaba Zaba Doo at Randwick on Easter Monday. The son of Oratorio then enjoyed the step up to the mile and relished the Heavy conditions to register his maiden victory in the Listed Fernhill Quality by 4 ¾ lengths last week. Proven at the mile and has improved at each of his three runs but will need to improve again to win here.
2. CRITERION – J Bowman (8)
Winner of the Black Opal Stakes at Canberra back in March and followed that up with a strong win in the G2 Todman Stakes which saw him installed as one of the leading chances in this Golden Slipper Stakes. A slow start proved costly and he settled at the tail of the field before having to come wide in search of better ground and clear space. He eventually finished sixth (beaten 4 ¼ lengths) Forget that run. Gives the impression a mile will suit as will being back on firming footing.
3. FAST ‘N’ ROCKING – S Arnold (1)
You can’t knock this David Hayes’ trained galloper efforts to date. Second in the Blue Diamond behind Miracles of Life, second again in the G2 Todman Stakes behind Criterion and at his last start, in the Golden Slipper where he draw barrier thirteen, produced a fantastic effort to finish four lengths behind Overreach. Been up for a while now which is of a concern but if he’s still fit and well, have no doubts he’ll give his best and that will see him in the thick of it at the finish.
4. FUERZA – J Cassidy (12)
Despite running placings in four of his six starts, including races like the G2 Pago Pago and Listed Fernhill Quality, this colt by Snippetson is still searching for that maiden victory. Has closed well in all bar one of his starts (he was ridden forward that day) but just either shies away from winning or runs into one better on the day – still not sure which. He’s drawn wide here and I think he will have to wait another day before breaking through.
5. CHARLIE BOY – C Reith (10)
Made his debut in November last year, was green but won and was then tipped out by trainer Gerald Ryan. He resumed with good efforts in both the G2 Silver Shadow (third behind Sweet Idea) and G2 Todman Stakes (fourth behind Criterion) but expected more from him in both the Golden Slipper and last start, the Sires Produce where he has finished eighth and sixth respectively. Had to have him on those recent effort.
6. CHAMPOLLION (11)
Winner two starts back of the G3 The Schweppes (1400m) where he had every chance in the run before getting a long way back and never really got clear in the run home. Could only manage seventh (beaten 6 ¾) behind Guelph. May have finished closer last start but wouldn’t have worried the winner and I don’t think that will change here either.
7. HAVANA – C Williams (4)
He made his debut three starts back at Warwick Farm in an Open class race but, as a 5/1 shot, no much went right for him, his backers or connections and he finished seventh behind Whittington. A better run in transit saw him finish third in the Todman Stakes behind Criterion but could only his ground at his next and most recent start when eighth (beaten seven lengths) behind Guelph in the Sire’s Produce. Good jock, good draw but has to make up too many lengths on the winner from last start.
8. EQUATOR – N Rawiller (9)
Gai Waterhouse trains this son of Northern Meteor and he was able to win a Kembla Maiden (1000m) on debut and then come straight to town and claim a restricted race at Canterbury over 1250m. Obviously has ability but enough to be able to rise to a mile and to Group 1 company after his initial efforts?
9. DRAGO – M Rodd (14)
Didn’t mind his debut effort in the G2 Pago Pago (1200m) behind Sidestep where he was only warming up late when sixth (beaten 4.9 lengths) and improved noticeable when next stepping out over the longer trip (1400m) of the Sire’s Produce, to finish fourth behind Guelph (beaten 4.1 lengths) The step up to 1600m will further suit but the draw doesn’t unfortunately and he’ll be giving too many, too much start as they turn.
10. STAR WARS – K O’Hara (2)
Ran fifth in a Newcastle Maiden three starts back so surprised to see him entered as he was for the G3 The Schweppes, where he finished second to last. Off that effort, even more surprised to see him take his start in the Listed Fernhill Quality last week where he was beaten 15 ¼ lengths. Flabbergasted that he’s entered here.
11. GUELPH – (6)
Draw wide and had not much luck when ninth behind Miracles of Life in the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes back in February. We didn’t see the daughter of Exceed and Excel then until the Golden Slipper, some six weeks later, and she produced an outstanding effort to finish fourth behind Overreach. She took benefit from that run, the 1400m and the genuine tempo when next stepping out in the Sires Produce and produced a fantastic final burst to record ¾ win over Scandiva and Overreach. No reason why she wouldn’t be able to do the same again.
12. SCANDIVA – P Robl (5)
Daughter of Fastnet Rock who is improving with each run as evident by her tenacious effort last start in the Sires Produce Stakes where, after settling second to Overreach in the run, she overhauled the Golden Slipper winner in the run home only to be claimed by a flying Guelph in the last few bounds. Will be in the box seat again from five and doesn’t have to improve much to turn the tables.
13. DIVA DEE – D Dunn (13)
Competed with fair results in the some of the better 2yo races but still yet to register a win from six starts and will not find this an easy assignment. She was ok last after settling at the tail of the field in the G3 The Schweppes before not settling handier in last week’s Fernhill Quality but fading to finish near nine lengths from Riocetto.
14. SHAHAD – T Berry (3)
Didn’t handle the wet condition first up in the G2 Silver Shadow but on a firmer surface when competing in the G2 Magic Night Stakes, rattled home to only be beaten a nose by Scandiva. She didn’t have much luck in the run last start from her wide gate but still produced a worthy effort when finishing fifth (beaten 4 ¼ lengths) behind Guelph in the Sires Produce Stakes. She gets a better run in transit here and not to be underestimated at double figure odds.
OVERVIEW
With the big field, the tempo should be genuine. Expecting Scandiva to utilise her good gate and roll forward with Havana and Equator also handy. Guelph should get a lovely run behind the speed from six and be placed to advantage throughout the race. The fillies have clearly had the better of their male counterparts and it’s hard to think she won’t go close to making it two legs of the Triple Crown. If you need better value than that, Fast ‘n’ Rocking and Criterion both put in very good efforts in the Golden Slipper. Both should appreciate a firmer surface and a mile and are genuine chances. Thought Shahad was the value runner. Very good in the Magic Night (Scandiva good since) and was tough in the Sires. Gets a run with cover from gate three and should be strong at the finish.
