Prime Minister’s Cup meeting on the Gold Coast takes centre stage in Queensland racing this weekend with the Hollindale Stakes, the feature race. As is the case it seems with most feature races, Chris Waller plays a significant part here with three runners – Danleigh, Foreteller and Stout Hearted, all with claims however, it’s Peter’s Moody charge Light’s of Heaven who holds favouritism at $2.70.
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1. DANLEIGH – L Cassidy (12)
This 9yo continues to race in great style and each of his five runs in this preparation have been full of merit. From a wide gate, he raced four and five deep throughout in the G1 Doncaster Handicap but still managed a credible fifth (beaten 3.1 lengths) behind Sacred Falls. Hasn’t faired well at the barrier again and tries this trip for the first time in his career.
2. VOILA ICI – C Munce (9)
This 8yo former European galloper promised plenty in his first three start in Australia, which included a half length second to Ocean Park in the G1 Underwood Stakes. However, after failing in the Caulfield Cup when a 16/1 chance, he has been beaten comprehensively in each start since. After settling in a good spot courtesy of an inside draw in the G3 Doncaster Prelude, he ran second to last, beaten close to ten lengths.
3. GINGA DUDE – G Colless (5)
Drew the widest gate when resuming in the Listed Members Quality a fortnight ago but found a handy spot in the run and held is position in the run home, under 59.5kgs, to run fifth (beaten 4 lengths) behind Transporter. Second up last prep was a very solid third behind Solzhenitsyn in the G3 Lord Mayor’s Cup, keeping his strong second up form intact. Will sit on the speed from a good draw and any rain would assist his chances.
4. FORETELLER – J Cassidy (10)
Started 5/2 favourite in this race last year and for mine, is in better form this time around. He won the G1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) two starts back before another excellent effort in the G1 The BMW (2400m), where he was tackling the trip for the first time, saw him finish well for fifth placing, 1.4 lengths behind Fiveandahalfstar. He was given a hit-out in a barrier trail by Waller last week to keep him up to the mark and expecting him to be charging home late.
5. SOLZHENITZYN – D Browne (8)
The winner of the G1 Toorak Handicap last prep who returned with a very pleasing effort when, after being caught wide in the run in the G1 Canterbury Stakes, ran third Pierro and More Joyous. Settled in the right spot during the run when next stepping out in the G1 George Ryder (1500m) but didn’t let down on the Slow track and ran last, beaten 4.6 lengths, again behind Pierro. Gets to beyond a mile for only the second time in his career but on a firmer surface, is capable of bouncing back.
6. LAMASERY – B Avdulla (7)
Since running fifth in the G1 The Metropolitan in October last year, this 6yo by Commands has had four barrier trails but on the one start. That start came in the G2 Ajax Stakes and in a race which was dominated by those up front, he produced a good effort to close from the tail of the field and finish tenth (beaten 4.8 lengths). He was scratched from the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes last week and has won two and placed twice in four second up runs including a third to Danleigh last prep in the Chelmsford Stakes (1600m).
7. LUCKY LUNA – (3)
Locally trained 8yo who is quoted at 200/1 in early markets and judging by his last start ninth in the Listed Member’s Quality (1600m), where he carried 56 and had every chance in the run from a favourable draw, that price looks about right.
8. LIGHTINTHENITE – T Clark (4)
Thought his effort first up over 1500m in the Ajax Stakes, where he finished fourth (beaten 1 ¼ lengths) behind Havana Rey was excellent. He then stepped out in the Doncaster Handicap and got a littler further back than anticipated and finished midfield, 4 ¼ lengths from the winner Sacred Falls. Above average galloper but does rise 6kgs on that run under the WFA conditions of this race and would like to see him win at this level before backing him to do so.
9. SAINT ENCOSTA – (6)
He has had two runs back this time in, both on Slow tracks which he doesn’t enjoy, both at big prices and he has ran accordingly. Form wasn’t bad last time in with two wins, a second in the Grafton Cup and a fourth in the Newcastle Cup behind Glencadam Gold but they were handicap races and he’s better off looking for one of them over more ground than this.
10. STOUT HEARTED – N Berry (2)
Resumed in the Ajax Stakes (1500m) where he got a long back from an inside draw and in a race that was dominated by the leader, finished a well beaten fourteenth. He next stepped out in the G3 Doncaster Prelude (1600m) and again, settled at the tail of the field but this time, hit the line in good style to finish sixth (2.6 lengths) behind Skyerush (since won again) and Alma’s Fury. Takes on WFA race for the first time but there was a lot to like about last start effort and think there is a good race for him during the winter carnival. This might not be it but at $17.00, might be worth throwing into a few multiples.
11. HOUR OF PERIL – R Wiggins (1)
Last win was nine races ago now in the Listed Tatt’s Mile (1600m) where he carried 54kgs on a Slow track. Has had plenty of better chance than this race to win one since.
12. TRANSPORTER – M Cahill (13)
Has a healthy strike rate of eight wins from twenty starts including his most recent outing where he knuckled down late to score a head win over Topping in the Listed Member’s Quality (1600m). Had every chance in the run then and will have to do work early from a wide draw, not to mention deal with the 6kg weight rise and tougher company.
13. LIGHTS OF HEAVEN – L Nolen (11)
Indicated at her second run back from a spell with a closing second behind inform mare Spirit Song in the G2 Sunline Stakes, that she was ready to win and at her next start, she duly saluted. It was in the G3 Neville Selwood Stakes (2000m) where she was given a gem of a ride from her good draw to score by 1 ¾ lengths from Hoylonny under 58kgs. She does like the Queensland Winters but was surprised to see her here, in a tougher race with a wide gate, at a shorter price than she was last start which looked a far easier task.
OVERVIEW.
Ginga Dude goes forward and Transporter and Voili Ici from wider out. Going with Foreteller here who has been in very good form this time in, proven under WFA conditions and the 1800m after a month’s break, looks ideal. Would wait for a better price re Lights of Heaven for the reasons mentioned above. Lamasery certainly has the class and note – his first trial this prep was back in February, so he has been in work for a while and has a good second up record.
