A bumper field has gathered for Queensland’s feature race of the day, the G3 George Moore Stakes. With a full field of sixteen (plus two emergencies) entered and, with eleven of the runners having had won or been placed at Group level previously, we’ll see an very competitive race. Early favourite though is not one of those Group performed horses, it is Cape Kidnapped at $4.00. The Kelly Schweida trained runner comes of a tough second placing last start where he split Heart Testa and Zaratone – the pair who subsequently ran the quinella in last weekend’s Starlight Stakes. On the second line of betting sits Famous Seamus and Benny’s Buttons at $8.00 with Facile Tigre, Doubtfilly and Morning Captain, the only other runners under double figures, all at $9.00
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George Moore Stakes Form Guide
1. FAMOUS SEAMUS – T Clark (18) 60kgs
After comfortably winning the Listed Lightning Stakes (1100m) under 59kgs by ¾ of length from Ichihara and Rarefied in mid-October, the well performed 6yo ventured to Caulfield a month later for the G3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1200m). Given that it was his first look at Caulfield and his first attempt at the Melbourne way of going, he did well to run third behind the impressive and in-form Lankan Rupee. He has won the Listed Hinkler and Prime Minister Cup from his three previous starts in Queensland and obviously enjoys racing in the Sunshine State. The weight and gate assigned to him here are a nasty combination though.
2. FACILE TIGRE – L Cassidy (1) 58kgs
First up off an eight month spell in February of this year, the Jason McLachlan trained runner produced a career best effort to run second in the G1 Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield, before a poor performance in Adelaide’s G1 Goodwood Handicap which was followed by a spell. He resumed with a poor last of ten in Open company mid October at Doomben and was forced back to the trials by order of the Steward. He returned, at his latest start, with an average fourth (4.7 lengths) behind Better Than Ready again in Open class but needed to see more than that to include him as a chance in this field.
3. MORNING CAPTIAN – J Byrne (8) 57kgs
Ultra consistent performer who hasn’t missed a place in four starts this preparation. Two starts ago, he sat on the speed and chased down Liston Son to win an Open class race (1300m) by a long neck before providing the smart Better Than Ready with plenty of opposition last start, when half a length third in the Listed Keith Noud Stakes – with Benny’s Button second. Drawn well enough here that he should again put himself in a good spot and will not doubt deliver another honest performance. He ran third (beaten a neck) in this race last year behind Startemeup with 54.5kgs but interesting to note that, from 12 attempts at Group and Listed races, he’s record reads 1:1:1.
4. STARTSMEUP – (11) 57kgs.
Winner of this race last year (carried 57.5kgs) for his then trainer Gillian Heinrich, the son of Danzero has spent most of this year with John Meagher but will be stepping out in this race representing the Gold Coast stables of Bruce Hill for the first time. His two most recent runs, both in October of this year and in Melbourne, were an eighth (2.5 lengths) in the Tavern Stakes (1400m) behind Molto Bene before being caught three wide throughout in the Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes (1400m) and finishing second to last (4.4 lengths) Had excuses last time and does go well fresh, would not dismiss his chances of running a good race here lightly.
5. BENNY’S BUTTONS – M Cahill (5) 55.5kgs
Returned from a thirteen week spell with an excellent on-pace effort in the Listed Keith Noud Stakes a fortnight ago, running second to the well-performed Better Than Ready by only a head. Would have to think that the Kelso Wood trained runner would only be fitter again and from gate number five, Queensland’s leading Jockey Michael Cahill, should have him perfectly positioned.
6. DELAGO BOLT – A Allen (14) 55.5kgs
The 7yo is a back-maker that can produce a very big finish as displayed in his third placing (1.2 lengths) behind Decision Time and Sessions in the G3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) three runs back. Since then, he’s finished unplaced in the G2 The Shorts (1200m) before heading to Flemington a month ago for his last start, where he finished well behind Lankan Rupee and Snitzerland in the Listed Earl Gray Stakes (1000m) running fourth (beaten 1.5) lengths. Given his racing pattern, he does needs things to pan out for him in the run and surprisingly, he has only the two wins from twelve starts this distance.
7. FIREBOLT – A Spinks (10) 55.5kgs
Local trainer Kelso Wood took over the trainer duties of this horse from Chris Waller earlier this year. He had first start for Wood in July in the Listed Tatt’s Mile before a spell and returning to racing just over a week ago. In both starts the 8yo has finished last and would think this distance is well below is best and class, well above.
8. GUNDY SON – R Wiggins (13) 55.5kgs
The son of Falvelon returns after a solid winter campaign. He ran a length second behind Pentasia in the Listed Chief De Beers (1110m) and a close up fourth (1.2 lengths) behind Howmuchdoyouloveme in the G3 Healy Stakes (1200m) Normally needs a run when resuming but note this time in, unlike previous campaigns, he’s had a barrier trial over a month ago, suggesting that he’s been in work for some time and will be prepared to produce a good run. Has filled a place in fourteen races from nineteen starts at this track and wouldn’t deny him adding to that record here.
9. PHELAN READY – E Wilkinson (17) 55kgs
The Golden Slipper of 2009 was remarkably this horse’s last win. Coincidentally, the closest he has come to breaking that drought, which now extends to thirty-seven starts, was in this race last year where, under 59kgs, he rattled home to run a nose second to Startsmeup. This will be is third run back from a spell with the most recent being a ninth (3.1 lengths) behind Better Than Ready in Listed Keith Noud Stakes (1200m). Been a long time between drinks for this fella and he’ll need to turn the tables on several who finished in front of him last start.
10. STEEL ZIP – J Stanley (4) 55kgs
The Patt Duff trained 6yo kicked of this campaign early last month with a good effort when from near the tail of the field, he ran third (4.6 lengths) behind Better Than Ready in a Open handicap (1000m). He took benefit from that run and the extra furlong too and was again finishing well when fifth (1.5 lengths) to the same horse in the Listed Keith Noud (1200m). Should be at his peak now and the form around Better Than Ready will stand up well. Generally likes to race off the speed and would hope that four gate four, he doesn’t get too far back and caught in traffic.
11. SOMEDAY – C Munce (15) 54.5kgs
Raced without little luck in many races during the winter carnival but did claim the Listed Glasshouse Handicap (1400m) at the Sunshine Coast in June, with a dominate 3 ¼ length win. Had a few weeks break after that campaign and tried without success in few group races in Sydney early in the spring. Held his ground in the run home a fortnight ago in the Listed Keith Noud (1200m), his first run for seven weeks, when sixth (beaten 2 ¼ lengths) behind Better Than Ready. Definitely has the ability and will strip fitter for last start’s effort but not sure how far back he gets from the poor gate.
12. LIESELE – G Colless (3) 54kgs.
Aided by a brilliant ride, the Liam Birchley trained runner scored a good win in the Listed Alinghi Stakes at Caulfield before holding her ground in the G3 Mumm Stakes behind Dystopia on Oaks Day (seventh of sixteen, beaten 2.9 lengths). Only run since was in last week’s Listed Fillies and Mares Classic where she failed to stretch out on the heavy ground and finished well back in ninth spot. Forget that run, she’s capable of much better on firmer footing and like she did in the Alinghi, might be able to sneak the right kind of run from her good draw.
13. AUDACIOUS SPIRIT – T Bell (16) 54kgs
Speedster who led to the shadows of the post in this race last year when fourth (beaten a neck) behind Startsmeup. As he always does, the 6yo by Bel Esprit led in last fortnight’s Keith Noud Stakes (1200m) but weakened late to run seventh of fifteen (2 ¾ lengths) behind Better Than Ready. He’ll shoot across from his wide draw but the big field will keep him honest out in front and he’ll find the last 100m tough, trying to hold off challengers.
14. CAPE KIDNAPPERS – R McMahon (7) 54kgs
Lightly raced 6yo trained by Kelly Schweida who has won seven from his ten starts, including a comfortably 1 ¼ length win in a Class 6 race two starts back when resuming from a fourteen week spell. That was the hit-out he needed for his trip south to Rosehill last start, where he contested a BM 95 (1100m). He settled on the leader’s back (Zaratone) and fought out the finish strongly to run a head second to Heart Testa with Zaratone third. These two horses ran 1, 2 in last week’s Starlight Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill which makes the Commands gelding a legitimate chance here.
15. DOUBTFILLY – (2) 54kgs
Smart mare who rounded out her last campaign with a head win in the Listed Ascot Handicap defeating Griffon and Benny’s Buttons. She’s had two runs back from a break for a fifth (4.8 lengths) behind Better Than Ready before finishing well last start, under 58.5kgs, when third (3/4 length) behind Lady Echelon in the Fillies and Mares Classic (1200m) on a heavy track. At her best with the sting out of the track and despite the good draw and drop in weight, would need to see soft conditions again before including her amongst the better chances.
16. ROCKET TO GLORY – (12) 54kgs
Front runner from Tony Gollan’s stable who has won three from six this preparation – all in Open company. After holding off the late challenge of Morning Captain to score a head win two starts back, the 5yo by Shovhog surprisingly then, as a 11/4 chance, finished last of eight behind Better Than Ready. Hung out last start and is obviously a better horse than that but, like the other natural front-runner Audacious Spirit, he’ll be kept busy out in front and challengers will be coming hard over the last furlong.
17. LUCKY HUSSLER – J Taylor (6) 54kgs
The Husson gelding won the G3 Vo Rogue (defeating Sizzler) this time last year and whilst not being able to register a win, put together a very good winter campaign in all the leading 3yo races. The Kent Fleming galloper resumes here of a twenty-one week spell and we haven’t seen him at any trails as he prepares for his return. Has ability so cannot totally ignore him but will be probably be better for having this run and over some further ground.
18. BLAKEY BOY – J Morris (9) 54kgs
The 6yo was transferred to current trainer Michael Morris earlier this year. He has had three starts for Morris, all of them in much easier grade than this race and has ran fourth, fourth and second. He faces a significant rise in class here and to be any chance of finishing in the first half a dozen, he needed to be winning his previous starts by big margins.
RACE OVERVIEW
Audacious Spirit and Rocket To Glory will look for the lead with the likes of Benny’s Buttons, Morning Captain and Cape Kidnappers, all looking to secure a spot behind the leading pair. Good effort by Cape Kidnappers last start, he’s toughest test to date and that form was franked by the performances of Zaratone and Heart Testa last week at Rosehill. Should be afforded a nice run in transit and cannot see a reason why he will not figure prominently in the finish. Benny’s Button certainly does not win out of turn but his first up effort was good. Drawn well here, right rider, fitter – he has a lot of pluses next to his name heading into this race. Famous Seamus is the class runner of the race but because he is, has been assigned 60kgs. That was compounded by the horrible draw and whilst there’s a big challenge in front of him, the $8.00 currently on offer, given his form this time in, is almost too good to let pass. Value runners of the race appear to be Gundy Son ($26.00), Startsmeup ($17.00) and Steel Zip ($17.00)
- CAPE KIDNAPPERS
- BENNY’S BUTTONS
- FAMOUS SEAMUS
