The final G1 race of the season for 2yo is over a mile and sees a field of thirteen taking part. Despite winning well last week, making it three wins from as many starts, Zoustar is second favourite ($4.00) behind promising type, Romantic Touch ($2.30)
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1. ZOUSTAR – J Cassidy (5)
He made it three from three with a 1 ¼ length win in the G2 Sire’s Produce Stakes a fortnight ago. Sat handy to speed there and once the run presented itself, the son of Northern Meteor took it and hit the line well, suggesting that the 1600m of today’s race, would be further in his favour. Drawn to get a lovely run.
2. SIR MOMENTS – M Cahill (3)
A son of Choisir has claimed the listed Dalrello Stakes (1200m) and The Phoenix (1400m) at his two most recent starts but steps up to a new level here. Generally gets back in his runs and will be giving some smart ones a start as they turn for home.
3. VILANOVA – J Bowman (9)
A former NZ galloper who has had two starts in Australia and impressed in both. Firstly he was a head second in slow conditions to Vo Heart in the 2yo Classic (1200m) and backed that up 1 ¼ second behind Zoustar in the G2 Sire’s Produce. Had to do a bit more in the run last start than the winner and capable of getting closer today.
4. OCTANE FLYER – T Bell (12)
Three starts back, the Statue of Liberty colt won an Eagle Farm maiden in slow conditions and since, has stepped up to compete in the 2yo Classic and Sire’s Produce. On each of these occasions, he has got back in the run and been unable to run down the leaders finishing seventh and eleventh respectively. Will get back again today from his wide draw.
5. HOOKED – R Wiggins (8)
Won his first two starts in good style and then, as 13/4 ran fourth on a slow track in the 2yo Classic, beaten 1 ¾ lengths. At his most recent start on a better track in the G2 Sire’s Produce, he made his run from the 500m and wide. He loomed up but his run peaked with 100m to go. On that effort, the mile would be a query.
6. DOWDSTOWN CHARLIE – C Reith (13)
He broke through for his maiden win last start, at his seventh start, scoring in an Open class race at Randwick on a heavy track. This is a significant step up in grade and he’ll get a long way back in the run and would need to see heavy conditions again to produce his best.
7. ROMANTIC TOUCH – N Rawiller (2)
Made it two wins from his last two starts by demolishing his opponents at a mid-week Canterbury meeting, winning by 7 ½ lengths. In both wins, the Gai Waterhouse trained galloper has rolled along from the front and whilst this is a big rise in grade, he’ll give them plenty to chase from his good draw.
8. PAXIMADIA – K McEvoy (6)
Won on debut at Warwick Farm but not much went right at his next start, when fourth (beaten 7 ½ lenghts) behind Zoustar at Hawkesbury. Got back at his most recent start in the Sire’s Produce and was only starting to warm to his task late in a race dominated by those up front. The step up to a mile is a plus and he’s capable of good improvement.
9. CHOSEN IDOL – G Colless (10)
He won a Scone maiden on debut for trainer Paul Messara before finishing third to Zoustar and Sir Moments at Hawkesbury and in the Dalrello Stakes respectively. Had a nice run last week in the Listed The Phoenix but in slow conditions, was not able to capitalise on his position and weakened to finish fifth behind Sir Moments (beaten 5 ½ lengths). Hard to see him turning the tables on the winners of the last couple.
10. GLOBAL DREAM – M Rodd (4)
Resumed from a seventeen week spell with a pleasing third behind Vo Heart in the 2yo Classic before not having much luck in the straight in the Sire’s Produce Stakes where the daughter of Fastnet Rock, finished sixth (beaten 4 lengths). From four, she’ll get a good run and was close enough at the business end last start after some drama, to think she can figure in the finish here.
11. NAVELINA – E Wilkinson (7)
A Duke of Marmalade filly who is lining up for her fifth start and, even though she’s won one and placed on two occasions thus far, this race is a new level. She tasted Black Type racing for the first time last start in the Lancaster Stakes and finished 4 ¼ lengths behind Missy Longstockings.
12. SHE’S AMAZING – C Munce (11)
Toby Edmonds trains this filly who has had two starts, both in Maiden company and both on her home track on the Gold Coast. She won the most recent by ¾ of length but will find this task a lot more difficult, especially from her wide draw.
13. LOCOMOTION – L Cassidy (1)
After making her debut in October last year, she resumed with a third placing in a Sunshine Coast maiden and too benefit from that run, to produce a fourth placing (beaten 5.4 lengths) behind Sir Moments in the Listed The Phoenix Stakes. Should get her chance from the inside draw but will have to show significant improvement.
OVERVIEW
Like the way Zoustar finishing off his races. He’s a professional type who has really reached for the line in each of his wins. He’s draw to get a good run and the mile should suit and getting the trail behind Romantic Touch, may prove an advantage. Vilanova has been good in both starts this time in but drawn awkwardly here, he may have to do a little more in the run again than Zoustar but will not doubt be launching his claim inside the last furlong. Paximadia is one at odds to put in. He was only getting into his work inside the last 100m of the Sire’s Produce and the son of Commands can continue the successful carnival Darley have had.
