The staying feature race of the day has attracted a field of just eight runners. Julienas, who enjoys a solid record at this track/trip is the favourite ($2.90) over Less Is More ($4.20) and Wazn ($4.60). Along with I’m Imposing ($6.50) they appear to have the race between them with the other four runners all at double figures.
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Colin Stephen Quality Form Guide
1. JULIENAS – N Rawiller (4)
He has been very solid in each of his three runs back from a spell. He resumed with a half length second to Coup Ay Tee in the G3 Hawkesbury Cup, ran fourth under 61kgs in the Wyong Gold Cup (2100m) and, after sitting behind the pace, held on well for third to Prince Cheri in the G3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at his most recent outing. Again gives all other runners plenty of weight but he does enjoy racing here and from his four starts at this track, can claim the Listed Sky High and Manion Cups. Rock hard fit now fourth up and will be placed to advantage throughout.
2. LESS IS MORE – J Ford (1)
He has been a model of consistency this time in had was rewarded for his performances with victory in the Listed Premier’s Cup (1800m) two starts back defeating Ironstein. His last start was in the G3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) where, after a nice run in transit he was no match for in-form stable-mate Prince Cheri over the final stages and finished fourth, beaten 2.9 lengths. He’s been over this trip twice before in Australia and finished just a few lengths off the winner in the Listed Tatt’s Club Cup and more recently, only three lengths from Moriarty in the G2 Brisbane Cup. That effort will be good enough to see him win this.
3. WAZN – G Schofield (8)
Since coming to Australia, he has started favourite eleven times in his twenty-one starts, saluting on four occasions. He again proved hard to catch for punters last start when, after enjoying the solid tempo up front, he swept down the centre of the track to claim the Wyong Gold Cup (2100m) at 13/2 from Peal Of Bells (third in last week’s Newcastle Cup). The fact he’s started favourite so many times indicates his ability and now that he’s up to his right distance and four runs into the prep, he should be able to reproduce his last start on a track where he’s won three from nine with two further placings.
4. POLISH KNIGHT – J Bowman (2)
His last win came in the G2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at this track in April of last year – eight starts ago now. The son of Encosta De Lago resumed from a tenth month spell over 1400m and performed fairly and followed that up with an improved effort, getting home well along the fence to run 2 ¾ lengths behind Less Is More in the Listed Premier’s Cup. That run gave the indication that he may be ready to produce his best. Stepping out in the G3 Kingstown Classic at his most recent start however, he failed to deliver on any expectations and ran tenth, over five lengths from the winner Prince Cheri.
5. REUBEN PERCIVAL – SCRATCHED
Grand old stayer who, three starts ago, went within a half length of winning the Grafton Cup (2400m) when third to Mr. O’Ceirin. Since that run, the Gai Waterhouse trained galloper has had two starts in Melbourne, both at Moonee Valley in BM 96 grade where he has finished fifth and seventh. He’s normally allotted big weights so the 54kgs assigned to him here is to his advantage. As is the good draw which will enable him to sit closer to the speed than what he has done so recently. Not to be taken lightly at $9.00
6. LUNAYIR – (7)
Lightly raced but promising stayer as indicated by his second placing to Julienas at only his second Australian start earlier this year in the Listed Sky High Stakes. He looked set to fulfil that potential with a pleasing return to racing three starts back when third to Honorius over 1400m but his two runs since have been poor and forgettable. He never figured as an 11/2 shot in the Listed Premier’s Cup at his second run back and in the G3 Kingston Town a fortnight ago, dumped the rider shortly after the start. Not the ideal preparation going into this race.
7. I’M IMPOSING – J Cassidy (5)
Resumed from a lengthy fourteen month spell in an Open class race over 1400m three starts back but couldn’t keep pace and finished second to last, over ten lengths from the winner Honorius. He took obvious benefit from that run as his next start was an eye-catching effort, defying a strong track bias and finishing hard from the tail of the field to claim third behind Prince Cheri in a BM 95 (1500m). He then stepped up to the 2000m and held his spot in the run to the line to finish fifth, 3.7 lengths again, to Prince Cheri. Will be better for that run over a distance and is capable of improvement.
8. PLANET PURPLE – K McEvoy (6)
7yo who won a couple of Benchmark staying races on Slow and Heavy tracks over the winter but, in three runs back from a brief let-up, has just been a few lengths off the pace. He was fair last start, as a 60/1 chance when ninth (beaten 4.4 lengths) in the Newcastle Cup (2400m) behind Winning Glory but faces no easier time of it here.
OVERVIEW
Julienas leads with stable-mate Reuben Percival and Less is More trailing. Julienas should be able to set a tempo to his own liking here and appears to save his best for the Rosehill track. He ran second in this race last year to Kelinni after winning the Wyong Gold Cup and although his Wyong run wasn’t as good as last year’s, he’s capable of making amends for it here. Wazn should be the danger though and at a better price, have put him on top. He’s burnt us a few times in the past but hopefully breaking through in the Wyong Cup gives him the confidence to go on with it here. He certainly has no excuses not to run well. No reason to leave Less Is More out of the numbers on his form and anticipated run in this race with old Reuben for mine to round out the numbers. He’s a proven performer at this level in the past and with no weight, will make his presence felt here.
- WAZN
- JULIENAS
- REUBEN PERCIVAL
- LESS IS MORE
