What a cracking field for the Group 2 Crystal Mile! Ten quality runners will line up to face the starter with most holding legitimate claims in the race. Punters are sticking with the Boban form-line and have made Toydini, who ran third to him in the G1 Epsom at his most recent start, the $3.00. Sacred Falls is next best at $4.50 whilst Malavio, who also ran very well behind Boban in the Epsom, has been specked early and firmed from $15.00 into $12.00
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1. SECOND EFFORT – J Bowman (4)
A noted wet-tracker whose effort was fair from back in the field when running sixth (beaten 3.6 lengths), behind It Is Written two starts ago in the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1200m). From a good draw, he was ridden in more forward position in last Saturday’s G3 Moonga Stakes but couldn’t maintain is spot and weakened to finish tenth of twelve, 4 ½ lengths from winner Boban. Better when ridden with a sit and any sting out of the track is a big plus however, this race is full of quality and he’ll have to produce a career best to be winning.
2. DECEMBER DRAW – M Rodd (10)
The 8yo has had three runs back from a ten month spell and, after two solid performances in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) and G1 Rupert Clark Stakes (1400m), thought we’d see more from him in the G1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) last start. He was back to a mile, drew well and was well weighted under the handicap conditions however, after camping on a solid speed, he had little left in the tank when arriving at the final furlong and ran tenth, 4 ¾ lengths from Rebel Dane. Faces a lot of the same competitors as he did last start and much better at the weights, but having drawn the outside, he’ll have plenty of work to do.
3. SPEEDINESS – C Williams (2)
Each of his three runs this preparation have been first class. He won the G3 Bobbie Lewis (1200m) first up and then drew gate 13 of 16 in the G1 Rupert Clarke (1400m) when finishing a half length fourth behind Rebel Dane and, gate 16 of 17 when fourth again, 2 ½ lengths behind Solzhenitsyn in the G1 Toorak Handicap (1600m). Drawn better here but at Moonee Valley, an inside gate is not always a plus however, it wouldn’t matter what obstacles are placed in front of this Colin Scott trained galloper at the moment, he is going so well he cannot be left out.
4. LORD OF BRAZIL – B Rawiller (9)
Doing his best work last first up three starts ago now, when fifth (beaten 3 ¼ lengths) behind the in-form Le Bonsir. The Darren Weir trained 7yo then lugged 60kgs when running third to Blackie and Sertorius (both excellent at their next starts) before having a crack at his first Group 1 race in the Toorak Handicap. He too drew poorly and got back close to last in running but again, hit the line well and finished 3 ½ lengths (7th) behind Solzhenitsyn. Going very well and does like Moonee Valley but would prefer him under handicap conditions.
5. MALAVIO – N Berry (6)
No horses have been in better form over the past month than Streama and Boban and Malavio finished within ¾ of a length of that pair last start, when fifth in the G1 Epsom Handicap. That effort came two starts after a strong win over Bello in the G3 Tramway Stakes (1400m) and the The 5yo by Snitzel is going so well that Warwick Farm trainer Steve Englebrecht has travelled him outside of NSW for the first time in twenty-three start career. Will go forward from six and whilst he’s another that would be more favoured under handicap conditions, his racing pattern and performances on softer tracks, could see him stick on well here.
6. BLACKIE – C Symons (8)
Two starts ago, at this track over 1500m, the 6yo trained by Jarrod McLean, was ultra impressive when winning an Open class race by a comfortably 3 ½ lengths. So impressive was the win, he next stepped out in the G1 Toorak, only his second attempt at that level, and again produced an outstanding effort to run third, 2 ¼ lengths behind Solzhenitsyn. He was midfield last start and the first to make his run from the 600m whilst the winner, enjoyed a charmed behind the speed. Obviously likes the Valley, will get a genuine speed up front and be rattling home.
7. TRANSPORTER – M Walker (7)
Put together a solid preparation over the Brisbane winter carnival but since competing in better races in Sydney and Melbourne since then, he has found himself to be a few lengths off the pace. He finished mid-field in the G2 Shannon Stakes (1500m) but even with a light weight and good draw, he was disappointing when at his most recent start, he finished nine lengths from winner Solzhenitsyn. Just can’t see him finishing in the top half of this field off of that run or recent efforts.
8. RAIN DRUM – K McEvoy (1)
Was a winner of five of his ten starts and showing plenty of promise before an injury forced the son of Fastnet Rock to the sidelines for over 15 months. Trainer Gai Waterhouse picked the G2 Shannon Stakes (1500m) as the race he’d return in and prepped him for it with two winning barrier trials. From the inside gate, like he has drawn here, he settled in behind the speed and despite being first up from such a long break, found plenty late to score a head win over Centennial Park. Harder again here but he’ll be fitter for his last run, has drawn well in gate one and will be up on the speed – a bonus more often than not around this track.
9. SACRED FALLS – L Innes (3)
This year’s Doncaster Handicap winner returned to racing in the G3 Tramway and finished just as well as Royal Descent when fourth (beaten 1.6 lengths) behind Malavio. His next two starts, the G1 George Main Stakes and G1 Epsom Handicap have seen this Chris Waller trained runner finish seventh and eighth respectively. Fair to say that, after his first up run, more was expected from him in both of these starts. Unbeaten on Slow and Heavy tracks in three starts and would expect that it is on these conditions that he produces his absolute best.
10. TOYDINI – B Shinn (5)
Fantastic first up in the G2 Warwick Farm Stakes (1400m) back in late August before, over three weeks later, claiming the G3 Cameron Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle under the steadier of 58kgs. That topped the Guy Walter trained galloper off nicely for his tilt at the G1 Epsom Handicap, his following and most recent start. A lovely run throughout saw the son of Bernardini, who was ridden by Shinn, be produced at the right time in the straight and he was gallant in running third to Boban and stable-mate Streama. No better form-line than that at the moment and although he does jump significantly in weight (4.5kgs), he cannot be ruled out.
RACE OVERVIEW
A fantastic edition of this race! Pace will come from Rain Drum and Malavio with December Draw likely to cut across from his wide gate. Several legitimate chances here and the set weights make a tough race even tougher. Speediness only needed a better draw at his last two starts and we could easily be referring to him as a dual Group 1 winner. He’s in hot form and only needs an ounce of luck here. Toydini’s last two runs have been great and the form reference to Boban, who was outstanding when winning last week, is as good as you could hope for. Picture him stalking the speed and being producing as they turn. Not sure what to make of Sacred Falls who has proved a little hard to catch in his career. A possible wet track will be in his favour but should that not be the case, at his quote of $4.40 would be happy to back several others ahead of him.
- SPEEDINESS
- TOYDINI
- RAIN DRUM
- BLACKIE
