The Friday night Moonee Valley meeting will be brought to a close with the G1 Manikato Stakes. Samaready is the ruling favourite after defeating her rivals over at this track and trip last start by an impressive four lengths when claiming the G1 Moir Stakes. Second in the Moir was Buffering who is also lining up here and, after running ten placings at Group 1 level previously, will be the sentimental favourite to register his first victory at the elite level. Add interest to the mix will be Hong Kong superstar sprinter, Lucky Nine. He’s a multiple Group 1 winner and the equal highest rated sprinter in the world at present. He’s been in Australia for several weeks now and judging by his piece of work last Sunday, has finally settled in and a forward showing should be expected.
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1. LUCKY NINE – B Prebble (4)
A Dubawi 7yo whose latest start in May, resulted in an impressive victory in the G1 International Sprint (1200m) in Singapore, defeating Bel Sprinter by three lengths. That was his fifth win at the elite level and the twelfth of his thirty-four start career. His consistent performances over the past year have seen him ranked as the world’s equal top rating international sprinter. His trainer, Casper Frownes freely admitted last Sunday that he’ll head into this race below peak fitness but be “spot-on for his second run here”. Judging by his record, near peak fitness should still see him competitive here.
2. BUFFERING – D Browne (10)
Started the 5/2 favourite when resuming from a spell in the G1 Moir Stakes (1200m) here four weeks ago. As he always does, the son of Mossman took up a forward position but just had no answer to the finishing effort of Samaready and finished four lengths away in second spot. He may have to do a bit of work early from gate ten to get across and lead, but he just doesn’t know how to run a bad race and will be involved in the finish again.
3. TEMPLE OF BOOM – C Williams (11)
7yo gelding who has had each of his three starts this preparation well spaced. He returned to racing off a thirteen week spell with a long neck second to Broken in the G3 Aurie’s Star (1200m) at Flemington before, four week later, over the same course and distance, running second again this time to Speediness in the G3 Bobbie Lewis. As many runners out of that race did, he then lined up at his most recent start in the G1 Rupert Clarke (1400m) three weeks ago and form the inside draw, settled three back on the fence. Didn’t have a great deal of room in the straight and finished off ok to run eight, only 2.2 lengths from winner Rebel Dane. Each of his performances this time in have been very solid. The return to six furlongs should see him finishing hard late.
4. BEL SPRINTER – M Rodd (1)
Most sprinters would be delighted for having drawn the inside gate however, this 6yo gelding, who has a bad habit of missing the start, finds it more a disadvantage. That was certainly the case when resuming in the Moir Stakes (1200m) where he also drew the inside gate, missed the start and found himself in an awkward spot on the turn. He got clear top of the straight but for him to be winning here, he had to finishing closer than his 7.4 lengths sixth and he needed a gate that would give him the room he requires to wind up into his race.
5. SHAMEXPRESS – S Baster (2)
After finishing well to record a nose win over Moment of Change in the G1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) back in March, the son of O’Reilly was spelled with ambitions of contesting some of England’s premier sprinting races. He competed in the G1 King’s Stand and Darley July Cup but was well accounted for in both. Faces this race off a fifteen week break and with no barrier trials under his belt, would prefer to see him have this hit-out first after returning from his overseas trip.
6. MOMENT OF CHANGE – L Nolen (6)
He found the speedy Kuroshio too quick over the 1000m of the Mitty’s McEwan Stakes when resuming from a spell and finished second, 1 ¾ lengths away. The 5yo, who possess a strong second up record and who was expected to appreciate the step up to the 1200m when next lining up in the G1 Moir Stakes, was only able to hold his spot in the run and he finished fourth, over six lengths away from Samaready. Third up here, with a draw that should see him afforded a nice run, his previous runs would suggest he is given another go at good each way value.
7. REBEL DANE – G Boss (9)
Impressive winner of the G3 Show County (1200m) resuming from a spell before getting a little lost when taking his first look up the Flemington straight in the G3 Bobbie Lewis. He still managed to do well and run fourth, just over a length from winner Speediness. At his next and most recent starts, despite drawing barrier fourteen in a field of sixteen, the 4yo by Testa Rossa was sent out the 9/2 favourite in the G1 Rupert Clarke Stakes and, after a masterful ride by Boss, secured victory right on the line. Got the job done last time and earns his shot at the here at WFA but does need to take another step and carry 3kgs more than his last start victory.
8. SESSIONS – K McEvoy (5)
Darley’s representative in the race, this lightly raced 4yo claimed the G2 The Shorts at Randwick two starts back by a nose, defeating Aeronautical and the in-form Spirit of Boom. Off of that win, he was installed the 7/2 favourite for the G2 Gilgai Stakes at Flemington. Like many are having their first look up the Flemington straight, the son of Lonhro was a little green but did well to run fourth behind Platelet. He’ll be better suited back to a turning circuit and should get a nice run from a good gate here. To win your first attempt at a G1 race, particularly under WFA conditions, is no mean feat but think he’ll give a good account for himself all the same.
9. LE BONSIR – M Walker (8)
Mick Price has had this 6yo gelding by Choisir flying this time in. He commenced this campaign with two authoritative wins over this track/distance before trying his hand at G1 level in the G1 AJ Moir Stakes. His current form, liking for this track and a favourable draw, combined to see him claim third placing behind Samaready and Buffering. He ventured away from Moonee Valley for his latest start, the Listed Caulfield Village Stakes (1200m) on 1000 Guineas Stakes day and, whilst honest, was no match for Complicate over the final furlong and finished a well beaten fourth. Back to his favourite track is a bonus but drawn more awkwardly than he was in the Moir.
10. SAMAREADY – C Newitt (7)
Despite spending thirteen months on the sidelines, the More Than Ready mare stated 9/4 favourite when returning to racing in the G3 The Shark Stakes (1100m) at the end of August. After camping off the speed, she finished too strong for Chiaramonte and recorded a solid 1 ¼ length win. She was given four weeks to get over the run before stepping out in the G1 AJ Moir Stakes (1200m) here a month ago. Trailing a hot speed, she made her move around the bend and joined in with a strong run at the top of the straight before powering away to record an impressive four length victory. Given another few weeks off, would think she’d have to be stronger again and envisage her getting a similar run to what she did in the Moir. Clearly presents as the one they have to beat.
11. DIAMOND EARTH – P Robl (3)
Good finish in restricted room when running third to Heart Testa resuming from a spell in a BM 85 at Rosehill a month ago. The daughter of Choisir who is trained by Anthony Cummings, then contested last week’s G3 The Nivison (1200m) a set weight with penalties race for mares where, after sitting on a genuine speed, she was able to keep going and hold off a late challenge to record a ¾ length win. That was a strong win but wouldn’t think strong enough to suggest that a week late; she’d be able to win a G1 WFA race.
12. ARINOSA – (12)
Absolutely blossomed for trainer Chris Waller this time last year and has never looked back. She’s won five of her eight starts in the past twelve months including, at her last start when resuming from a spell, the G2 Premiere Stakes (1200m). As 5/2 favourite, she finished strongly to record a nose win over Dystopia in the Premiere and has to take a short at this level. She’ll get back in the run so the outside gate is of little concern however, at this level, to run over the top of some of her competitors, she’ll have to step up her performance again.
RACE OVERVIEW
Buffering will shoot across to lead with Diamond Earth and Lucky Nine holding there spots from the inside. A spot in behind the speed will be hotly contested. Sessions, Moment of Change, Samaready and Rebel Dane, will all be keen to secure a position that will have them within striking distance of Buffering on the turn. Have to stick with the tried and tested performers at this level in Buffering and Samaready. Samaready was devastating last time out and barring bad luck; another performance even close to that one sees her go close here. Buffering will be there, as always, making his own luck up on the pace, just in case something does go against Samaready back in the run. Host of options for the placings. Expected more from Moment of Change last start but for a horse that’s a Group 1 winner and who run 2 ½ lengths second to Black Caviar giving her 2 ½kgs earlier this year, he’s worth one more try at the good price. Another at a bit of value could be Temple of Boom. There’s nothing wrong with his three runs in this time and back to a strong six furlongs will be to his benefit. Look for him to be doing his best work late.
- SAMAREADY
- BUFFERING
- TEMPLE OF BOOM
- MOMENT OF CHANGE
