Star local filly Miracles Of Life, who will soon be sold in the Teeley Dispersal Sale at the Magic Millions complex on the Gold Coast, heads the market at $3.00 for this Saturday’s Sportingbet Stakes at Morphettville. Only nine will contest the race but a further four runners are quoted under double figure odds in what is shaping up as an intriguing contest. Éclair Big Bang is the second favourite at $3.40 with stable-mate Lucky Symbol, who beat Éclair Big Bang home in their lead up race, is $7.00. Victorian visitor The Quarterback has been the subject of good early support after his impressive last start win and his opening price of $5.00 was quickly snapped up. He his now at $4.20 with bold front-runner Classy Jack at $9.00, almost halving his opening quite of $16.00.
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1. ÉCLAIR BIG BANG – D Tourneur (9)
The G3 winner returned from a twenty-two week spell by running fourth (1.6 lengths) in the Listed Redelva Stakes (1050m) three weeks ago. Was caught three wide in the run and just couldn’t match it with some slick sprinters first up under 59kgs but will be better for that outing, the step up to 1200m and the level weight conditions of this race. Second up last prep the son of Savabeel finished third (1 lengths) behind Charlie Boy in the G2 Danehill Stakes (1200m).
2. FAST’N’ROCKING – M Walker (8)
Find it hard to believe, given some of the performances this colt trained by David Hayes has produced in the past and that he has won over $500k in prize-money, that he still only has the one win to his name from sixteen outings. After two average efforts when returning from a spell, the son of Fastnet Rock improved after a month’s freshen up and a trip to Sydney, running fifth (1.9 lengths) to Sidestep in the Listed Darby Munro Stakes however his most recent start, the Listed South Pacific Classic (1400m), he finished. He has to be taken on trust in his current form.
3. CLASSY JACK – J Bowditch (3)
Won three straight at Morphettville in good style before the Danerich gelding had a month off and headed to Caulfield for an Open class race over 1200m a fortnight ago. As expected, he jumped straight to the front but a combination of a tougher grade, his first go on a track rated worse than dean and 58kgs, saw his run peak late and he finished sixth (3.4 lengths) behind The Quarterback. Will shoot straight to front and a drier track is to his benefit but will find this no easier than last start and the final 100m may test him.
4. THE QUARTERBACK – M Allen (7)
He recorded the third win of his career with a smart 1 ¾ length win last fortnight at Caulfield over 1200m. Robbie Griffiths’ gelding started favourite for the race and came from an awkward position on the turn to quickly put the race beyond doubt with a neat turn of foot along the fence. Has twice been placed at G3 level this year in Victoria and will enjoy the solid tempo that they’ll set up front here. Look for him to be steaming home late.
5. LUCKY SYMBOL – M Neilson (4)
Stable-mate to Éclair Big Bang, he has won four of his six starts to date with the most recent effort resulting in an unlucky third behind Minaj in last fortnight’s Redelva Stakes. Jumped from the inside gate last start and raced in restricted room on the fence before behind tightened and losing ground at vital stage soon after straightening. Got out and balanced at the 150m and hit the line in good style. Drawn to get the box seat on Saturday and capable of enhancing his strong record further.
6. MEADOWS ANGEL – L Hopwood (7)
Horse and Trainer have set themselves a tough challenge here with the Face Value gelding having raced over a mile a week and a half ago. That resulted in a fifth and was after he finished well down the track in the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m) at his previous start. Back to six furlongs here a distance that when he last competed over it, he finished a well beaten third to Classy Jack.
7. TENNESSEE GROOM – V Duric (5)
John Hyam trained Stravinsky gelding who was sent out the 18/10 favourite at Oakbank over Easter in a RST 68 but let favourite punters down but finishing fifth (2 lengths) behind Counter Spin. With the claim for the jockey last start, he actually goes up a 1kg on that run, where he had every chance, and rises considerably in class.
8. MIRACLES OF LIFE – D Yendall (5)
Shaded by Angels Beach in the Manihi Classic two starts back before in the Redelva Stakes, the Darren Clarken tried mare was ridden back in the field and was second last and widest as the field turned for home. She ran home well start to get within a length of Minaj on the line. She’ll be able to take up a more prominent position from five and shouldn’t have to get as far back as last start where she jumped from the second to widest gate. Only the one win from four starts this trip but they have been in some quality events.
9. JAZZ SONG – D Oliver (1)
At only his third start and off a ten week break, the impeccably bred son of Fastnet Rock (x Absolut Glam) was cheered home by the bookmakers when as a 50/1 chance she finished well to claim the G3 Typhoon Tracey Stakes from Miss Promiscuity. That win came in late February and her only run since was in last month’s Manihi Classic where again she settled toward the tail of the field and closed well against solid competition, when sixth (3 lengths) behind Angels Beach and Miracles Of Life. Might have some work to do from the inside gate if she is to continue to settle in the back of the field and would off last start, would at best rate a place chance.
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RACE OVERVIEW
Classy Jack leads out here and punters believe he may be able to give the small field the slip and have backed him from $16.00 into $9.00. Think he’ll be firmly in the sights of Éclair Big Bang though who’ll push forward from his gate. He’ll be better for the hit-out of his first up run and at set weights; he is the class runner of the race. His stable-mate Lucky Symbol was unlucky last start and with a clear run, would’ve worried the winner. Drawn well here and represents good each way value. Miracles Of Life was good last start with 57.5kgs. She’s only a little thing and will appreciate getting back t0 55.5kgs. Her quote of $3.00 is short for mine. The Quarterback will be the blowout. As displayed last start, possess a good turn of foot and only has to be within striking distance on the turn, to be finishing harder than most.
- ECLAIR BIG BANG
- THE QUARTERBACK
- MIRACLES OF LIFE
- LUCKY SYMBOL