The feature race of the day, this race is always a good form reference for the remainder of the spring. Last year’s winner Happy Trails, who is back to defend his title, went on to claim the G1 Emirates Stakes whilst the second placed horse from last year, Green Moon claimed the major prize of the Melbourne Cup. This year punters can’t split Fiorente and Super Cool ($3.30) who both performed well given the respective runs, first up in the Memsie Stakes. Anjeeb ($9.00), Happy Trails ($5.50) and Lidari ($7.50) are the only other runners in a field of eleven under the double figures.
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Dato’tan Chin Nam Stakes Form Guide
1. SANGSTER – S Arnold (10)
Winner of last year’s Auckland Cup and the VRC Derby of 2011, the 5yo by Savabeel has had two runs back from a spell in his native New Zealand. Both run over unsuitable trips (1200 and 1400m) and on wet tracks, you couldn’t expect any more of him than what he produced in either event. Will use this as a springboard to bigger races during the spring and wait for him to get over 2000+
2. HAPPY TRAILS – D Oliver (3)
Damien Oliver partnered this horse for his and the horse’s most recent win – G1 Emirates Stakes of last year. Oliver, who returns to the saddle after serving a ten month suspension, will be hoping both he and horse can pick up where they left off. Second up from a spell in the Memsie Stakes, Happy Trails took a forward position and did fight on well, only being swamped inside the last 100m and running seventh (beaten 3 ½ lengths) behind Atlantic Jewel. Fitter again, he’ll get every opportunity from gate three in the run and generally goes well here at the Valley.
3. FIORENTE – N Rawiller (2)
A 6yo former Italian galloper trained by Gai Waterhouse who had absolutely no luck when resuming from a spell in the Memsie Stakes a fortnight ago at Caulfield. He settled four back on the fence and whilst he was able to get off at the right time as they straightened up, he had nowhere to go thereafter and went to the line under a hold. He’s only other two Australian runs (last year’s Melbourne Cup and this year’s All Aged Stakes) have been first class. Again, may need to rely on a bit of luck from his draw but, should it come, there’s no doubting he’ll be in the finish.
4. SEVILLE – C Williams (8)
As expected he got a long way back when first up in the Memsie off an eleventh month break. It was basically a trial for the 6yo from Robert Hickmott’s yard and he’ll be giving most a start again here and find the mile too short. Wait for him to get to Flemington and 2000m or beyond.
5. SPACECRAFT – S Baster (9)
Spacecraft lines up for start number fifteen at the Moonee Valley circuit and whilst he saves his best for the Valley, he’ll be finding it hard to keep the challenges at bay over the final 100m at this level. As he’ll do here, he led the field in the Listed Slickpix (1700m) at Caulfield last start and gave a brief kick off the bend but was overhauled at the 100m mark and finished sixth of sixteen (beaten 3.6 lengths) by Ibicenco.
6. LIDARI – L Nolen (1)
Former French galloper who had three starts back in the Autumn for his current trainer, Peter Moody. Each of those performances where fair and in Open company but it’s obvious the 5yo by Acclamation has appreciated further time to settle into Australian life judging by his strong first up win at Caulfield a fortnight ago. After settling at the tail of the field, he was taken to the centre of the track and stormed home to win by a head over High Esteem. Can not imagine that he hasn’t gone on from that but this is his first crack at Group level in Australia and first look at Moonee Valley – which may not be the most suitable track to his racing style.
7. HORNET’S NEST – N McLean (11)
Think there must’ve been a mix up with the paperwork when the nomination for this bloke was submitted. He’s had one race since winning four straight on Victoria country tracks this time last year and that was a comprehensive defeat (by 20 lengths) at Warrnambool in May. We haven’t seen him since but entitled to be triple figure odds.
8. SUPER COOL – M Rodd (7)
Very smart three year last season who claimed the G1 Australian Cup (2000m) back in March who was spelled after that victory and not seen until a fortnight ago when he competed in the Memsie Stakes. He produced a sensational finishing effort to beat all bar his freakish stable-mate Atlantic Jewel home, signalling to all that he may be an even better 4yo. He’ll get back in the run but if he can find one to cart him into the race from the 800m, he’ll be storming home.
9. AJEEB – C Newitt (5)
He won both races upon resuming from a spell for trainer Mick Price (at Geelong and Caufield) before taking a big step up in grade and competing in the G2 P B Lawrence Stakes. He applied himself well though and was able to beat all bar Puissance De Lune home. As he did in the Lawrence Stakes, he led again at his last start, the G1 Memsie Stakes but was collared by the quality field well before the post and finished eighth. The Valley will suit his racing pattern but even then, it’s probably not enough to see him turn the tables on those coming out of the same race.
10. BASS STRAIGHT – C Schofield (4)
David Hayes runner who found himself just a few lengths off the pace in some of the smart 3yo races from last season. He returned to racing off a sixteen week spell with a narrow defeat in a Hillside BM 78 just over three weeks ago. He came from a long way back then and whilst he’ll be winning races this time in, this will not be one of them.
11. DESERT WIZARD – M Walker (6)
Has a lot of natural ability but as a 4yo with only three starts to his name – he’s won each of them – he still has plenty to learn. After winning a Flemington Open class race over a mile at his second race start, his Trainer Nigel Blackiston spelled the son of Golan and he returned with an impressive victory at Cranbourne last week. Still untapped but a race of this calibre at this stage of his career, might be too soon.
OVERVIEW –
Anjeeb and Spacecraft go forward and given that both like to roll along in front, the tempo should be solid. This could play into the hands of Foirente who may be able to settle a little closer from his inside draw and over a mile today. Only needs the right run/a touch of luck to be right in the mix. Sticking with the obvious form line – the Memsie Stakes, and putting Super Cool whose first up run was brilliant from Happy Trails who should get a lovely cart behind the leading pair and be able to hold on around the Valley circuit.
- FIORENTE
- SUPER COOL
- HAPPY TRAILS
- ANJEEB
