The McNeil Stakes sees the return of the unbeaten Blue Diamond winner, Miracles of Life. She’s one of only two fillies in the race and they both are up against some smart males here including Fast’n’Rocking, and the impressive Prince Harada.
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H.D.F McNeil Stakes Form Guide
1. MIRACLES OF LIFE – L Stojakovic (8)
Small but speedy filly by Not A Single Doubt who is yet to taste defeat in four starts. She won two in Adelaide before coming across to Melbourne and claiming the Blue Diamond Preview and G1 Blue Diamond Stakes, both in emphatic style. She scooted over the turf in a good barrier trail hit-out at Morphettville just over two weeks ago, winning by 6 ½.
2. FAST’N’ROCKING – B Prebble (5)
Australia’s best maiden. Despite not having yet won in eight starts, he has amassed over $400,000 in prize-money and been placed at G1 level. He returned to racing in the Vain Stakes a fortnight ago and should’ve won if not for being held up for a run at crucial stage but had to settle for a nose second to Safeguard. Obviously has came back in good style and from five, picture him getting a lovely trail behind a good speed.
3. PRINCE HARADA – S Arnold (3)
This Tony Vasil trained galloper has only had the two starts but in winning both, has made quite an impression. He debuted with a comfortably 2 ¼ length win in Ballarat in May before going straight to town and in Open class no less, winning by a length. Vasil then tipped him out obviously with the spring races in mind and whilst this is his first attempt at a Group level, many think he’ll more than meet the challenge.
4. DIVINE CALLING – N Rawiller (1)
Gai Waterhouse trains this Stratum gelding who will be resuming from a thirteen week spell. He’s had four starts thus far, for a win in a Restricted race at Canterbury but did do well behind Safeguard in the Kindergarten Stakes and made Zoustar earn the victory at Hawkesbury. Will no doubt will go to the lead from one and give an good account of himself.
5. THERMAL CURRENT – (4)
There was a lot to like about both of this initial runs in January of this year. He finished second at Flemington on debut before running an unlucky third to stable-mate Dissident in the Blue Diamond Preview. His trainer Peter Moody then spelled the son of Exceed and Excel and he returned to racing with a second in the Listed Lightning Stakes in Adelaide before being taken to Geelong to score his Maiden win. Do not disregard his last win, Moody likes for his horses to learn how to win and that would have done the job. He’ll appreciate the tempo and step up to 1200m.
6. IL CAVALLO – (9)
There’s always been big wraps on this Choisir colt but bar his debut win in a mid-week Sandown race, he hasn’t quite lived up to the expectations. He started 13/8 favourite last start in the Vain Stakes and from a wide gate, took up a spot on the speed however, he couldn’t kick away from the field when he needed to and finished fourth (beaten 1.6 lengths) behind Safeguard and Fastnet Rocking. No trials leading into that run so expect some improvement but on last start, couldn’t see him turning the tables on Fast’n’Rocking.
7. PYRROLIC – G Boss (7)
This colt by Teofilo has only had the one start, a smart win at Sandown-Lakeside in Open company back in May of this year. Obviously that was enough for his trainer Mick Kent to put him aside and prepare him for some of the spring races. He’s picked a tough race to kick him off in and would prefer to wait and see what he can produce at this level.
8. ORION – J McDonald (6)
Murray Baker brings this son of O’Reilly across from New Zealand after he record a win on debut in a Terapa Maiden in March by 1 ¼ lengths. Closed in good style for that win and trainer is no stranger to success in Australia but it would be some effort to make the leap from Terapa Maiden to Caulfield Group 3.
9. ZA MOULIN ROUGE – M Rodd (2)
Very well bred daughter of Street Cry out of smart mare La Sizeranne who can claim multiple G1 placings and the Group 2 Winter Stakes among here successes. This filly seems to have inherited her parents ability judging by her impressive 3 ¼ win in the Listed Adelaide Stakes on debut in February. She only beat four rivals on that occasion but do so with ease and no surprise to see her here on the eve of spring.
OVERVIEW
Miracles of Life will go forward and cross. She has an abundance of speed and like she has done in the pace, could simply run them off their legs. She’ll be joined on pace by Divine Calling and Za Moulin Rouge with Fastnet Rock and Prince Harada trailing. Would be inclined to think they’ll ride Il Cavallo quieter here. He didn’t have the ‘ping’ require in the Vain Stakes but stuck on ok. That said, going with Fast’n’Rocking to finally crack if for that maiden win. He should’ve won the Vain and by a clear margin with any luck and has found a race and draw that should suit him down to the ground second up.
- FAST’N’ROCKING
- MIRACLES OF LIFE
- THERMAL CURRENT
- DIVINE CALLING
