The stayer feature of the Kensington card this Saturday, sees a small field take part in the Summer Cup. As always, Chris Waller is well represented with three of the seven runners including Hoylonny and Secessio who co-jointly hold favouritism in early markets. The only fly in the ointment for Waller may come form the old-stager Maluckyday who, if able to repeat the efforts of his last two starts beyond 2000m, will go very close.
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1. MALUCKYDAY – J Ford 59kgs (6)
The 7yo has had three starts since joining the Joe Pride Stables halfway through this year. He ran a cheeky race first up over the unsuitable distance of 1400m before turning in a flat performance second up that saw him finish second to last behind Secessio. Three weeks off, a trial and the step up to 2000m of the Atc Cup a fortnight ago, saw a better effort, where he closed steadily to run fourth behind impressive Travolta. The step up to 2400m is a plus again and wouldn’t think anyone would begrudge this old boy his first win in three years.
2. HOYLONNY – P Robl 58kgs (2)
After two poor performances first up this campaign, the 5yo by Lonhro had a month off and two barrier trials – and it did the trick! He returned by winning an Open class event over 1900m and backing that up with another strong effort at his most recent start, when closing well from the tail of the field in a race dominated by the leader, Travolta, and finishing second (2 ¼ lengths). Despite only venturing past 2000m for the second time in his career, last start would suggest he’ll handle it and prove very hard to beat.
3. PERMIT – J Bowman 57kgs (4)
After producing a big run second up from a spell that saw him finish strong over 1900m to run second to Hoylonny, the 7yo by Dansili was expected to be competitive when he next stepped out in the Atc Cup (2000m) last start. Instead, he got caught three wide throughout and capitulated to run last of eight and over a dozen lengths from the winner. A better horse than that obviously and his last two starts over this trip – on dry tracks – have been good and would suggest he’s a live chance here.
4. SECESSIO – C Reith 57kgs (8)
Honest performer who hasn’t finished worse than fourth in his last eight starts. He kicked off this campaign with a win over 1500m in Open company before settling on the pace and boxing on well to run third (1 ½ lengths) behind stable-mate Hoylonny. Last start, he again took up a forward position but was no match for winner Travolta and was overrun late again by Hoylonny, finishing third. Comfortable winner his only previous attempt over this trip and whilst that was in a lesser grade, if afforded an easy run in front, he’ll give them plenty to run down.
5. FROZEN ROPE – T Clark 54kgs (5)
The Adam Duggan trained runner was in a real purple patch of form earlier this year winning three of his seven starts and running third in the Listed Parramatta Cup (2000m) behind Pelicano. However since returning from a spell in October, the King Of Prussia 6yo hasn’t made an impression in four starts. His last start was in fact his worse, running second to last in the Atc Cup and on that effort, would be surprised if he were to win here.
6. GARUD – 54kgs (1)
Two good efforts back from a spell had this 6yo by High Chaparral well placed as he prepared to take on some smart staying races during the spring carnival in Victoria. He finished third to Spurtonic (G3 David Jones Cup), fifth to Ruscello (G3 Lexus Stakes) and was less than five lengths away from the in-form pairing of Precedence and Sertorius in the G3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Unfortunately at his last start, the Ballarat Cup (2200m) which was three weeks ago, the Mike Moroney trained runner ran into a wide gate and heavy track and finished a distant last. Hard to know how much that run and this campaign has taken out of him however, his previous starts stand him in good stead for this race.
7. FRENCH GIFT – SCRATCHED
8. MARTINVAST – D Thornton 54kgs (7)
Gerald Ryan has entered this 5yo by Hurricane Run after a dour effort last week in a BM 85 (1800m) here at Kensington. That was his third run back from an eight week spell and the step up to 2400m should suit. Whilst this is not a strong race as far as Listed races go, it still is a step up on the Benchmark races he has been competing in with very limited success.
RACE OVERVIEW
Hoylonny looks the one to beat here. Good win back from a brief break and it was important he backed that up with a good run last start which is exactly what he did. He was always on the back-foot against Travolta who had things made to order up front but he closed well and had all other runners covered. Maluckyday will appreciate getting up to a mile and a half and his last two starts beyond 2000m – in the G1 BMW and Sydney Cup were more than good enough for here. Secessio and Garud the next best.
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- HOYLONNY
- MALUCKYDAY
- SECESSIO
- GARUD
