The 3yo’s look set to enhance their impressive record in open age G1 races this season with Your Song ($2.90), Epaulette ($6.00) and Better Than Ready ($13.00) representing the age bracket here among fifteen entrants. Local Champion Buffering ($4.80) will still be searching for his maiden G1 victory as will Rain Affair ($7.50) who, from seven attempts at the top grade, has run second on four occasions.
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1. RANGIRANGDOO – T Clark (14)
Rising 9yo who was given plenty of time and three barrier trials before making his return to racing in the G1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) after a five month break. He sat on a genuine speed from a wide gate in the All Aged and weakened in the run home to finish fifth (2 ¾ lengths) behind All Too Hard. Has been given another barrier trail since (ridden by Clark) and finished third behind Epaulette and Manawanui. Has a good second up record (6-1-3-1) but will find it hard form gate 14.
2. BUFFERING – D Browne (12)
Started a 6/4 favourite at his last start in the G1 BTC Cup but a combination of a heavy track and early work from a wide gate, took their toll on the 5yo by Mossman and he battled late to finish fourth, 6 ¾ lengths from the winner, Your Song. Has drawn wide again here, has he did last year when second to Sea Siren in this race, but from four attempts beyond 1300m, is yet to win. The last 100m will be the concern.
3. MANAWANUI – G Schofield (10)
Since running fifth behind Mosheen in the G1 Randwick Guineas in March of last year, we’ve only seen this son of Oratoria on the track twice. The most recent was when he was first up from a 25 week break in the Listed Hall Mark Stakes where he closed as well as you could have hoped for, finishing fifth (beaten 2.9 lengths) behind Rarefied. Obviously better for that run and did win a barrier trail on the 14th May, defeating Epaulette and Rangirangdoo.
4. RAIN AFFAIR – C Reith (5)
Ran second in G1 company for the second time in has many starts when chasing home Your Song last start in the G1 BTC Sprint. The start prior was in the G1 All Aged and only All Too Hard was able to beat him to the line, winning by a ½ length. A good draw here, the right distance and track, should see this 5yo by Commands in the thick of things again here – especially if the track is wet.
5. SPIRIT OF BOOM – M Cahill (13)
A 5yo who is looking to secure his first win at this level and his first win since winning the Magic Millions Cup on the Gold Coast, back in January of last year. He ran an unlucky fourth in this race last year behind Sea Siren but his form in the lead up to this edition, hasn’t been as good. He was no match, but chased valiantly, when second to Buffering in the Victory Stakes two starts back before battling in the heavy condition of the BTC Cup last start, when sixth (beaten 9 ½ lengths) behind Your Song.
6. MY QUEST FOR PEACE – L Nolen (11)
5yo by Galileo who came to Australia from Europe last Spring with a five wins to his credit (two at G3 level) and ran a cracking race when fifth in the G1 Caulfield Cup behind Dunaden before finishing tenth in the Melbourne Cup. Now with Peter Moody, we haven’t seen him race or trial since but would think that this distance is well below his best and will be using this campaign primarily as preparation for the Spring.
7. JETSET LAD – J Riddell (2)
NZ galloper who, after running second in last year’s Eye Liner, Tatt’s Mile and Glasshouse Handicap, has returned again for a tilt at some of the better races. He returned from a nine week spell in NZ with a pleasing effort at Hastings in Open company but was never in the hunt when taking on the best in the G1 BTC Cup last start, running seventh beaten close to ten lengths. Hard to see him figuring in the finish here, despite getting his chance from a good gate.
8. YOUR SONG – J Bowman (15)
Smart 3yo who was placed behind Pierro in the G3 Run to the Roses back in the early Spring of last year and after running third in the G2 Roman Consul two starts later, was given a lengthy spell by his trainer Anthony Cummings. Cummings brought him back, with three strong barrier trails under his belt, for a first up crack at the BTC Cup and the son of Fastnet Rock, relished the heavy conditions to streak the field by five lengths! A very impressive win last start that, despite the horror draw that faces him here, means he’ll be one of the better chances in the race.
9. SEA SIREN – J Cassidy (9)
Claimed the BTC Cup and Doomben 10,000 last year along with the G1 Manikato Stakes in the Spring however, since travelling to Hong Kong in December, the John O’Shea mare has struggled to re-produce that form. She won only fair in the G1 TJ Smith second up from a spell before, at her most recent start, she failed in the heavy conditions and ran eighth of eleven, beaten over a dozen lengths. A drier surface will suit however, doubt she is going as well as she was last year or needs to be to win here.
10. EPAULETTE – K McEvoy (4)
Winner of the G1 Golden Rose and G3 Guineas Prelude in the Spring and returned to racing with a sensational effort first up in the G1 TJ Smith, with a three length second to Black Caviar. Ran sixth when next stepping out in the All Aged Stakes, beaten 2.6 lengths behind All Too Hard and has been given a freshen up of month and a barrier trial since – a second to Manawanui. Think the space between runs will help and has drawn perfectly in four.
11. YOSEI – M Payne (7)
5yo mare who has little luck at both of her runs this time in. She resumed from a twenty week spell with an eye-catching effort behind Platelet in the G1 Robert Sangster (1200m) before chasing the same horse home again in the G1 Goodwood Handicap (1200m), when tenth (beaten 3 lenghts). Smart mare on her day but the WFA conditions here are against here.
12. PUNCH ON – P Hammersley (8)
4yo mare trained by Paul Balzen on the Gold Coast who produced a fantastic effort last start when, second up from an eight month spell, flashed home to run second (beaten a neck) behind Detours in the Listed Silk Stocking (1200m) That run was promising in regards to the remainder of his campaign and, whilst he is a G3 winner, might be aiming too high here.
13. PANE IN THE GLASS – C Munce (3)
Former smart juvenile who, as a 2yo, was placed in races such as Sire’s Produce, Champagne Stakes, G2 Tea Rose and even won the G3 Silver Shadow Stakes. Unfortunately though for the now 4yo mare, the Silver Shadow was her last win and came in August 2011. She did well two starts back, second up from a spell, to place fourth behind Black Magic in the Listed Juanmo Stakes before finishing seventh in the Silk Stocking (beaten 2.2 lengths) Not here.
14. STEPS IN TIME – N Rawiller (6)
Her trainer John O’Shea won this race last year with Sea Siren and with this daughter of Danehill Dancer, has a legitimate chance. She is a free-going front runner who will ensure a genuine clip and whilst she’s won eight of her seventeen starts, including the G2 Breeder’s Classic over Red Tracer, she’ll be kept honest in front here and at the weight, find the last 100m testing.
15. BETTER THAN READY – R McMahon (1)
The best of the local chances, this More Than Ready colt is trained by Kelly Schweida and, after comfortably winning the Listed Mick Dittman Plate (1000m) by 1 1/4, chased Your Song and Rain Affair valiantly when third in the G1 BTC Cup last start. The BTC Cup was on a heavy surface and a drier track will no doubt suit however, not sure if the inside gate, for a horse that generally likes to get back a little in his runs, will be of a benefit or not. If the luck does come, he is capable of finishing hard.
OVERVIEW
Sticking with the 3yo’s but going with Epaulette on top. Think he gets a lovely run from the perfect draw behind Rain Affair, Steps In Time and Buffering who is going to have to be very positively ridden out of the gates from his awkward draw. The space of a few weeks between runs will also serve Epaulette well and if he can reproduce his TJ Smith effort, he’ll go close. Don’t overlook the proven performers in Rangirangdoo ($21) and Manawanui ($31) here. Both have had one run back from lengthy spells, performed well in their respective races and will be better for the hit-out. Both also looked good in a recent trail and should also enjoy what should be a genuine tempo. Not sure about Your Song second up from the widest draw. His three wins have been in Slow and Heavy tracks and back on a firmer ground and has already eased from $2.60 – $2.90.
