The most competitive race of the day will be this event over the mile. A field of eighteen runners will take part with last start Group 2 winner Havana Rey the joint favourite with Mahisara at $5.00 however, there’ll be some good value to be found in this race.
Luxbet Free BetSportsbet Free BetBookmaker Free Bet
1. VOILA ICI – L Nolen (1)
A very average first up in the G2 Ajax Stakes, where the Peter Moody trained 8yo finished last behind Havana Rey, beaten some sixteen lengths. Second up last prep, led and ran second in the G1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) but first up effort was too poor.
2. CLASS IS CLASS – N Rawiller (12)
Former European galloper with Chris Waller who had three starts in Australian during the Spring and wasn’t that far away in the G3 Tramway (1400m), Hill Stakes (2000m) and G3 Craven Plate (2000m). Tackles this first up and has had two quiet trials in preparation. Will be better for this outing and likely need it longer.
3. SKYERUSH – B Shinn (5)
Very good first up when showing good fight late to hold off Riva De Lago in the G3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) before getting every chance in the run behind leader and eventual winner, Havana Rey in the G2 Ajax Stakes, but looked to race a bit flat second up and finished twelfth (beaten 4.8 lengths). Better than that and draw well here.
4. HAVANA REY – B Avdulla (16)
Warwick Farm trainer Bjorn Baker has done a fantastic job with this son of King Cugat who, at his most recent start, led and was too good in claiming the G2 Ajax Stakes (1500m) over Riva De Lago. That was his third win from his last four starts however, he does rise 3.5kgs in weight on that run here and drawn wide.
5. ALMA’S FURY – J Bowman (9)
Consistent galloper by Refuse To Bend who powered through the heavy conditions to claim the G2 Apollo Stakes before close up in both the G1 Chipping Norton (1600m) and chasing Julienas valiantly in the Listed Sky High Stakes (1900m) last start. Back to a mile won’t worry him and in well at the weights.
6. ALL LEGAL – G Schofield (3)
Got back first up in G3 Liverpool City Cup which was dominated by those on pace before having little luck in the G3 The Newmarket at Newcastle last start. Prior to his break, he claimed the G2 Villiers (1600m) over Alma’s Fury and is probably put in an effort, better than his current quote of $41.00 would suggest.
7. NIBLICK – SCRATCHED
8. STOUT HEARTED – N Berry (4)
The winner of the G3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) last spring who resumed in the G2 Ajax Stakes and got back in a race where the winner led, before finishing fairly. Expecting a better effort here on his way to races over further.
9. RASPBERRIES – K McEvoy (11)
Held her ground first up behind Skyerush in the G3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) before closing well in the G3 The Newmarket at Newcastle to finish fourth (beaten 1.1 lengths) three weeks ago behind in-form stable-mate Bello. Third up last prep resulted in a length sixth behind Appearance in the G1 Myer Classic (1600m). Will have her share of admirers.
10. BEATEN UP – C Newitt (14)
Imported horse who was thrown into the deep end by his trainer Chris Waller when making his Australian debut, in the G2 Ajax Stakes (1500m) Got back to last but I did like the way he was warming up late and will take enormous benefit from that run.
11. ILLO – M Rodd (7)
Will be making his debut for trainer Chris Waller (formerly with Bart Cummings) and has had two quiet barrier trails in readiness for his return to racing. Didn’t see much from him during the Spring and expecting that he’ll need this outing and a longer trip.
12. MORIARTY – C Brown (15)
The last of Chris Waller’s five representatives’ in the race and like most of his stable-mates entered here, he too is first up from a ten week break. He was really starting to come into his own at the end of last preparation and claimed the Listed Tatt’s Cup and Gosford Cups. Drawn wide here and likely to need this run.
13. MAHISARA – C Williams (10)
Delivered on the early promise he showed in his career last prep and claimed three of his four starts including the G3 Sandown Stakes (1500m). Well supported in betting first up in the G3 The Newmarket Handicap and stuck on soundly for a 2.2 length fifth, behind Bello. Will go forward and only be better for the first up hit-out.
14. SHENZHOU STEED – J Ford (13)
Won both the Ipswich and Caloundra Cups last winter and went within a head of adding the Kyneton Cup to the mantelpiece during the Spring. Resumed in an Open class race at Caulfield and was specked in the betting – 14’s into 11’s – before holding his ground in the run to the line to finish fourth, five lengths from the winner Under the Eiffel. Another who will benefit further from this run.
15. MAULES CREEK – J Cassidy (18)
His last win came in the Listed Randwick Quality on a Slow track back March of last year. Competed in some smart staying races during the spring but was well accounted for on each occasion. Not expecting much given he tackles this first up and has drawn the outside gate.
16. SCREAM MACHINE – M K O’Hara (6)
Excites gelding who trainer Jason Coyle had in very good form at the end of last year before a brief spell of ten weeks. He resumed in the G3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) and got back in a race dominated by those up front and it was a similar case at his next and most recent start, where he finished 3 ½ length behind Havana Rey in the G2 Ajax Stakes. Didn’t mind the finishing effort from near last, last start and is capable of producing a cheeky run.
17. JACQUINOT BAY – (8)
Ran mid-field two starts back in the G3 The Newmarket Handicap at Newcastle before carrying 58.5kgs and running fourth in a BM 85 here at Ranwick on Easter Monday behind Messene and Studio (won on Wednesday). Drops to 54kgs in today’s race but would still like to see him prove himself at this level before backing him to do so.
18. LESS IS MORE – P Robl (2)
European galloper who has had three starts for Warwick Farm trainer David Vandyke and has shown enough at each of them, to suggest he has a future. He is first up here since finishing mid-field in the Listed Tatt’s Cup (2400m) behind Crafty Irna. Ran third first up last prep behind Jacquinot Bay last prep.
OVERVEIW
Pace will be good with Mahisara, Havana Rey, Niblick and Skyerush, all pushing forward. Think Havana Rey might’ve snuck up on a few in recent starts but will be kept honest here with a solid pace. There are a few here that I think will take advantage of the speed and their respective draws and be finishing well – Beaten Up, Alma’s Fury and Scream Machine who are $9.00, $9.00 and $26.00 respectively. In an open race like this, prefer to have something each-way on them rather than opt for one of the favourites.
