Lord Of The Sky lines up the raging favourite for this Saturday’s Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield where punters will be hoping he can redeem himself after finishing last when odds-on in the W. J. Adams Stakes earlier this year.
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Punters are not deterred by the fact that Robbie Laing’s colt will contest only his second race beyond 1000m meters and that he meets older sprinters at almost level weights, and have supported him as the $2.20 favourite.
On the second line of betting his Riziz who, after opening up at $7.50, was the subject of immediate support and has firmed into $5.50.
Le Bonsir and African Pulse are both $6.50 whilst Ready To Rip is the only other runner under double figure odds at $9.00.
1. READY TO RIP – L Nolen (6) 58.5kgs
Peter Moody’s 6yo hasn’t fared well at the barrier draw in recent starts, drawing wide in both the G1 The Goodwood and Listed Straight Six. After getting back in the run on each occasion, he has finished fifth (3.6 lengths) and seventh (2.4 lenghts) behind Smokin Joey and Lonhspresso respectively. From six, on a course he generally races well on, we may see him settle a little closer to the speed than he has been recently and the six week freshen up he has had for this, should see him run a much improved race.
2. RIZIZ – C Symons (8) 58.5kgs
Adelaide galloper who after running a tremendous third in the G1 Goodwood Handicap behind Smokin Joey and Platelet, found the 60kgs assigned to him in Flemington’s Listed Straight Six six weeks ago, too much and he battled home for tenth (4.1 lengths). Has been taken home since then and given a trial over 1000m which he won well. The draw is an awkward one and this is his first look at Caulfield which can bring some debutantes at the track undone but he is a smart sprinter on his day.
3. MORANT – N Hall (4) 58.5kgs
Winner of one of his last thirty-five starts – and even that was a dead heat – probably sums up this 7yo’s chances. He finished well over a 1000m to run second to Let’s Rock ‘n’ Roll in a BM 90 at Moonee Valley before returning to the same track a fortnight later and finishing fifth (3.6 lengths) in Open class to Pillar Of Creation. Will find this race no easier.
4. LE BONSIR – D Moor (2) 58.5kgs
Hasn’t missed a top five finish in five runs back from a spell and was only caught on the line by the fast-finishing Lonhspresso two starts back in the Listed Straight Six (1200m) at Flemington. Mick Price’s gelding then was unlucky again, this time in a Open Class race at Moonee Valley, when disappointed for a run and finishing fourth and only half a length from winner Pillar Of Creation. Only the one placing from four starts here on his home track but from gate two in his current form, will never have a better chance to improve that record here.
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5. MR MAKE BELIEVE – N Callow (9) 58.5kgs
Returns to racing for trainer Robbie Laing off an eleven month spell. He was off a six month spell when successful first up last campaign, leading all the way over 1000m at Caulfield and off a similar period again when claiming the Listed The Shark Stakes (1100m) also at Caulfield. Might have to burn a little petrol early if he wants to lead here as well and no trials isn’t of any assistance in gauging his readiness.
6. AFRICAN PULSE – G Boss (7) 58.5kgs
Another galloper returning to racing from a spell, this time off an eighteen week break for Flemington trainer Mike Moroney. Moroney produced this 5yo first up in the W. J. Adam Stakes (1000m) last preparation and after settling on the pace, he finished fourth to the smart pairing of Shamal Wind and General Truce.That was his fresh run in six attempts that he didn’t salute so Moroney knows when the son of Johannesburg is ready to go.
7. GOOD VALUE – M Walker (5) 58.5kgs
Lining up for only his second race since November 2012, Good Value hasn’t been to the races since May of last year, where he ran second to Strawberry Boy in a Open Handicap over 1400m. He has only competed in one race under 1300m during his seventeen start career and surely will be in need of this hit-out.
8. LORD OF THE SKY – D Dunn (1) 58kgs
There has always been big expectations on this Danerich colt trained by Robbie Laing. Winner of four of his seven starts, including his most recent hit-out seven weeks ago where he defeated Elite Elle and Don’t Get Excited – the latter going on to win the Wangoom at his next start, he’ll start the short price favourite here to collect his first stakes race. It is his second attempt at this level after disappointingly finishing last as the 9/10 on favourite in the the W. J. Adams Stakes Drawn to go straight to the front here today and will have no excuses.
9. JOHANNAPINE – B Rawiller (3) 56.5kgs
A 6yo mare whose last win came in February 2012 – fourteen starts ago now. She ran fourth first up from a twenty-one week spell a fortnight ago when beaten 3 ½ lengths by Klishina. This no easier and on the two occasions she has contested Stakes races in the past, she’s finished well out of the placings.
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RACE OVERVIEW
Lord Of The Sky will have to jump cleanly from the inside gate and hold his position. It was a good win last start and form has been franked but, he comes up significantly in the weights and has been rolled twice in his past three starts at favourite. The value for mine may come from a couple of older sprinters in Le Bonsir and Ready To Rip. Le Bonsir should get a lovely run behind Lord Of The Sky and it was a similar position during a race that saw him run third to Samaready and Buffering at Group 1 level last year. Ready To Rip from a more favourable draw then he has been dealt recently, should be able to sit of the speed and get the last shot at them – this is his most effect style and was the type of run he produced when third to Spirit Of Boom and Shamal Wind over this track/trip in the G2 Caulfield Sprint last year. Would prefer to take either of these runners on an eachway basis than the favourite straight out.
Selections:
READY TO RIP
LORD OF THE SKY
LE BONSIR
AFRICAN PULSE