Several runners here using this Group 2 race as their final hit-out for next weekend’s VRC Derby. Savvy Nature, currently rated a $7.50 chance for the Derby on the fourth line of betting, is the favourite in this race at $2.30. According to the market, it’s the top of the field that will fight this race out with Drago ($4.80), Tips and Beers ($5.00) and Storm Approach ($8.50), the runners in single figures.
[include file=”inpost_adrotator.php”]
Mitchelton Wines Vase 2013 Form Guide
1. SAVVY NATURE – J McDonald (8)
He won the G3 Spring Stakes during the Newcastle Cup carnival three starts ago and since, has been placed in the G3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) and G1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) where he started favourite in each race. He has drawn wide on both occasions and been forced to settle back in the run a little further than he would’ve likes whilst the winner of both races Complacent, enjoyed a charmed runs Drawn wide again here but faces a smaller and weaker field than he has in his last couple.
2. DRAGO – B Shinn (3)
Although the winner of only one of his eight starts, this Danehill Dancer colt has shown plenty of promise in most of his starts. After his third placing in the G3 Gloaming Stakes two starts back, he looked all set to tackle the 2000m of the Spring Champion Stakes; a distance that he always gave the indication would be to his liking. He made his run at the right time and on the back of Savvy Nature from the tail of the field but his last furlong was flat and he finished seventh, 3 ½ lengths from the winner. He needs to improve off of that run.
3. TIPS AND BEERS – C Schofield (1)
Progressive gelding form the David Hayes yard who, after winning his maiden at Kilmore in August, has gone on to win a BM 72 at Morphettville and most recently, a BM 78 (1600m) at Caulfield. He bided his time at the back of the field last start before winding up nicely in the straight and recording a length win over Mantenar La Fe. Strong win last start under 58kgs and the son of De Beers has improved with each appearance. Would expect him to fill a place in the least here on his latest effort.
4. STORM APPROACH – L Nolen (2)
A 3yo by Purrealist who ventured to Adelaide for his last start and claimed the Listed Hill Smith Stakes (1800m) at his fourth start this prep. Adding further credit to his win was the fact that he was jumping from seven to nine furlongs and that second placed Gamblin Guru, won the Geelong Classic (2200m) on Wednesday. He’ll be fitter for having had the hit-out over a mile last start and interestingly, his trainer Peter Moody is listed as his only owner.
5. GREAT ESTEEM – J Bowman (5)
The son of Redoute’s Choice ran a close up fifth in a BM 75 race at Rosehill behind Stamina, Bull Point and Savvy Nature, a race that proved to be a very good form reference. His next start however, saw him surprisingly setting the pace from a wide barrier in the Open 3yo race at Caulfield and folding in the straight to run tenth, over six lengths form the winner Rockford. He then started a big price in last week’s G1 Caulfield Guineas and ran accordingly (eighth, beaten 8.9 length). Better suited back here but has some big improvement still to be made.
6. MANTENAR LE FA – B Rawiller (7)
Lightly raced gelding from the Sean Dwyer stables, he lines up for only his fifth race start. He won on debut, at Echuca back in August and his three subsequent runs have been full of merit, especially his most recent outing which resulted in him running second to Tips and Beers in a BM 78 (1600m) at Caulfield. He sat on the speed and showed a good turn of foot to establish a few lengths lead in the straight before being run down late by the eventual winner. Will go forward again and at the Valley, that’s a bonus.
7. ALL RIGGED UP – C Symons (4)
He won his maiden three starts back, at his sixth career start, with a narrow victory in a Murtoa Maiden (1600m). Since then, the Econsul gelding has been placed on the country tracks of Murtoa and Avoca in RST 58 races. Hard to fathom why they have decided to come to a race like this after those effort. Connections may have been after free owners tickets to Cox Plate day.
8. PINSTRIPE LANE – J Mott (6)
He broke through for his maiden win at start number four, when he recorded a comfortable two length victory over 2000m at Cranbourne. He was given a month off and ambitiously brought to town for a shot at the Listed UCI Stakes (1800m) at Flemington. Sent out a 40/1 shot, the son of Pins belied his price and ran fourth (beaten 1 ¾ lengths) behind Polanski – who came out and won the Norman Robinson last week and his current favourite for the VRC Derby. With that his first run in a month, would expect some him to be fitter again and given he finished within two of the current VRC Derby favourite, his quote of $13.00 attracts a bit of interest.
RACE OVERVIEW
Pace may come from Mantener La Fe from out wide and Storm Approach who has drawn closer to the fence in two. Stick with Savvy Nature here. He comes out of the right races and whilst he’ll get back again, with a field of eight to contest this, he will not be too far off them when the pressure goes on. He is fit and has good form all around him. Did like the winning effort of Tips and Beer last start. He may have to do more work in the run this time with a moderate tempo predicted but, he keeps improving and we’re still yet to see the best of him. In the small field, a bit of value may be found toward the bottom in Mantener La Fe and Pinstripe Lane. The former will sit handy and showed he can extend well off the pace. He might be able to pinch a break at the right time and fill a place. Nothing wrong with Pinstripe Lane’s run last start behind Polanski.
1. SAVVY NATURE
2. TIPS AND BEERS
3. MENTENER LA FE
4. PINSTRIPE LANE
