An even bunch of emerging young stayers line up in the Norman Robinson Stakes it was is proving a very tricky race for punters to assess. For many here, it will be there chance to prove themselves as a worthy contender for the G1 VRC Derby which will be run in three weeks time. In a very open race, Darley’s San Diego heads betting at $5.50. Darley have had an extraordinary run in the past week with their 3yo stock, claiming three Group 1 races.
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Norman Robinson Stakes Form Guide
1. POLANSKI – J Bowman (10)
Son of Ratki, he was ridden quietly in his first two runs back from a thirteen week spell and made little impression in either race in the run home. At his most recent start however, he was pushed forward from his wide gate to sit up on the speed and found himself in the prime position throughout. He was able to capitalize on his run and record a ½ length win in the Listed UCI Stakes (1700m). Would have to follow a similar pattern here after his last start success but he does meet a tougher field so would still need to be improving.
2. HONEY’S STEEL GOLD – S Baster (1)
Won a Cranbourne Maiden at his fifth race start but immediately backed that up with a head win in the Listed Taj Rossi (1600m) signally that the David Hayes runner had some ability. He was spelled and returned with a very good third behind Divine Calling (under 60kgs) but capitulated at his next and most recent start, the G2 Bill Stutt Stakes (1600m) three weeks ago. Not sure he has the runs on the board yet to be able to forgive him a run like that.
3. ROCKFORD – D Oliver (8)
Enjoyed the solid tempo two starts back when rounding up the leaders in the home straight to win a 3yo Open race (1700m) by a head over Epic Saga. The Gai Waterhouse runner then lined up in last fortnight’s Listed UCI Stakes as 13/4 favourite where he, as he had done in the past, took up the front running spot but the Flying Spur gelding was all out of gas by the 200m mark and finished eighth of fourteen. Will look for a sit this week?
4. SAN DIEGO – K McEvoy (13)
Big colt by Exceed and Excel who, after two good performances since returning form a spell, looks ready to produce his best here. He was only winding up late when first up in the Listed Henry Buck (1400m) finishing third to stable-mate Long John before not really appreciating being on the inside of horses from gate one and finding himself in traffic in the Bill Stutt Stakes (1600m). Not much went right last start and the form out of his last two races has been superb. He’ll get to a distance of his liking and no doubt have plenty of space form the widest gate.
5. EPIC SAGA – C Symons (11)
Frustratingly for connections, this Real Saga gelding has run a close second at each of his past three starts. Had every chance to run down Polanski last start in the UCI Stakes (1800m) and again when a head second to Rockford at his previous start. His honest but will need to found a few extra lengths on those performances to be winning here.
6. CRIME FIGHTER – D Stackhouse (12)
He finally cracked his maiden status, at start number seven and his second run back from a spell, with a 1 ½ length win in a Seymour Maiden (1400m). Ambitiously, he was then sent out in the G2 Bill Stutt Stakes (1600m) but as his price of 66/1 would have suggested, he finished well off the pace in seventh spot. Entitled to big even a bigger price here.
7. ORION – M Rodd (9)
From the New Zealand stables of Murray Baker, this son of O’Reilly has had his last three starts in Australia, with the latest two efforts suggesting he is capable of figuring in the finish here. He chased home Divine Calling (2nd, beaten two lengths) two starts back at Moonee Valley before, in last fortnight’s UCI Stakes, running seventh (beaten 2.4 lengths) behind Polanski. Settled on the leader’s back last start and just had to wait for a run to open whilst those involved in the finish were making there runs. Go on his previous run as his an indication of his chances here.
8. SURGING WAVE – C Schofield (5)
Kicked off this campaign three starts ago with a strong win in a Bendigo Maiden (1400m) and followed that up with another good finish, when fourth behind Rockford and Epic Saga over (1700m). At this next and most recent start, the gelding by Encosta De Lago was doing his best work late again to run fifth (beaten 1.9 lengths) behind Polanski. Might not have the class on some of these but appears certain he’ll run out a strong 2000m.
9. FAMECHON – D Dun (3)
His best runs of his five he has had in his career thus far have come on the drier tracks. Caulfield was rated a dead track for his last start when, form the second to widest gate, he had settle three wide in the run, toward the tail of the field. The Mike Moroney trained runner continued to make ground though and finished a very good third, one length behind Polanski. Drawn much better today, bred to see out the trip and last start was encouraging
10. CADILLAC MOUNTAIN – L Nolen (6)
Made his debut in a Sale Maiden back in August over 1400m, running second before his trainer Peter Moody immediately stepped him up to 1500m and than at his lastest start, 2015m of a Seymour Maiden, which he won by a length. That was three weeks ago now and the well bred son of Reset has a big step up to make here.
11. BRING SOMETHING – G Boss (7)
Ken Keys trains this son of Golden Slipper winner Sebring who has had three starts in his career that kicked off only just over a month ago. After running fourth and second in a Seymour and Bendigo Maiden respectively, the market rightly quoted him 30/1 when he lined up in the quality G2 Bill Stutt Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley three weeks ago. From his wide draw, he settled back in the run but as he had done in his two prior starts, was finishing off well and ran fourth (beaten 2.9 lengths) behind Divine Calling. That’s the formline to be on and would think he’d have had to improve with that run.
12. LASCAR – D Browne (2)
This Queensland gelding, trained by the Meagher team, has had three starts, winningn the second – a Sunshine Coast maiden (1600m) by two lengths. His last start was an unlucky fourth behind Tornado Miss who contested some good races – also without luck – in Sydney. Trainers are good judges and this is a long trip to commit to if they didn’t think they had the right horse.
RACE OVERVIEW
Rockford goes forward with Polanski and Honey’s Steel Gold handy. Got to stick with the Bill Stutt Stakes form here. First and second in that race – Divine Calling and Shamus Award ran tremendous 2nd and 3rd placings respectively, in Saturday’s Group 1 Caulfield Guineas and put San Diego on top. He’ll be much better suited over this trip and will get the chance to wind up for the run home. Darley and McEvoy are in white-hot form and it looks set to continue. From the same race, Bring Something. His trainer is never without a good horse this time of year and it looks like this bloke fits the bill for 2013. Has improved with each of his three runs and last start’s finishing effort was an eye-catcher. Liked Famechon’s run last start. He’ll get a smoother run in transit here and has the right connections around him. Orion for the last place in the selections. His trainer has had very good success with 3yo’s in Australia recently and, without finding a bit of traffic at the wrong time in his last race, should’ve finished closer. He’s an improver here at good odds.
- SAN DIEGO
- BRING SOMETHING
- FAMECHON
- ORION