The final race on a good card of racing at Doomben on Saturday is for the stayers on the Brisbane Cup path. A capacity field with several different and suspect form lines to evaluate, means it’ll be a tough affair from a punting perspective.
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1. GINGA DUDE – (9)
Enjoyed a very successful winter carnival last year and tackling this race third up from a spell, we should see another forward showing by this rising 10yo. He resumed over 1400m in the Listed Member’s Quality at Eagle Farm and ran fifth behind Transporter before leading the field until the final furlong of the 1800m trip of the Hollindale Stakes where he finished 2 ¼ behind Lights of Heaven and Foreteller. Will roll forward again and back to handicap should also be in his favour.
2. MORIARTY – SCRATCHED
3. PRECENDENCE – J Bowman (12)
The Zabeel gelding lines up for start fifty and his fourth run in this preparation. He’s been well accounted for in each of these runs with the most recent being fifth (beaten 6 ¾ lengths) behind Whisper Downs (since won again) when under the steadier of 60kgs. Some weight relief here will be welcomed but his barrier and poor strike rate are against him here.
4. RIAYLA – J Byrne (2)
This Kempinsky 5yo won the G2 Adelaide Cup in March of last year but in seven subsequent runs, he hasn’t been able to fill a place. As you’d expect from a dour stayer, he was well handled by the opposition first up over 1400m and ran last over 1600m in the G3 RA Lee Stakes at his next and most recent start, behind Linton. Getting to 2200m help but probably needs this run as well.
5. SHENZHOU STEEDS – E Wilkinson (5)
After claiming the Ipswich and Caloundra Cups in effortless style last winter, this Mike Moroney trained galloper is returning to Queensland in the search for more riches. His recent form however, suggests this year might not be as productive as last. He ran last in the G3 Doncaster Prelude and, despite having previous wet form, looked all at sea when seventh (beaten 7.4 lengths) behind Quintessential in the Chairman’s Handicap (2100m) last start. Needs to show significant improvement to be winning here.
6. ZENNISTA – L Innes (10)
New Zealand galloper who made his Australian debut last week in the G3 Lord Mayor’s Cup (1600m) and did well to hold on to fourth behind Solzhenitsyn (beaten 1.7 lengths). She ran second in the NZ Oaks as a 3yo but since her 3yo season, has only ventured past a mile twice (1800m and 2100m) for a second in Open company and a seventh in the G1 Spring Classic. She gets a nice weight drop on last start but a question mark over her running out a strong trip.
7. SHAMARDASHING – (21)
A rising 9yo whose last race victory came in the Grafton Cup of July last year. Second up he continued to make ground in the run home when sixth (beaten 2.1 lengths) in the G3 Lord Mayor’s Cup behind Solzhenitsyn. Drops 5kgs on that run and third up last prep ran ninth (beaten 4 lengths) behind Luckygray in the G1 Kingston Town under WFA conditions but faces a huge challenge from the widest gate.
8. MISS ARTISTIC – L Cassidy (20)
Winner of last year’s NZ Oaks who we also saw last Winter run fourth in the Gold Coast Bracelet and second in the G3 The Roses behind Invest however, the form of this daughter of Darci Braham since, has been fair at best. Her last start was in NZ where she ran second in Open company (under 59kgs) to Gold Cape. Would think she needs to lift on that and recent efforts, despite the significant weight drop.
9. SAVANNAH RUSH – M Du Plessis (14)
Tough Savabeel mare from New Zealand who interestingly, is tackling this race first up from an eleven week spell. Her last run was in the G1 Auckland Cup (3200m) on the 6th March where she finished fourth behind Sangster carrying 52.5kgs.
10. STRIKE THE START – G Colless (17)
One look at this 4yo’s strike rate – one win from twenty-two starts – is enough you would think to put the pen through him immediately however, as he did last start in the Lord Mayor’s Cup at Rosehill, caught the eye finishing hard behind in-form Moriarty. Last time he raced behind 2000m, he ran fourth in the G1 Australian Derby behind Ethiopia. Couldn’t back him to win, but might be able to find a spot for him in a few exotics.
11. MARGINS – T Bell (19)
Strong win two starts back in the Listed Tails Stakes (2100m) and off the back of that effort, was sent out a 3/1 favourite in the G3 Chairman’s Handicap. A heavy track didn’t do his chances any favours and he finished sixth behind Quintessential. A drier surface will be better for him this weekend and he is in form however, think he’ll have too much to do from 19.
12. MIDSUMMER SUN – G Boss (6)
Former European galloper who now races under the care of Sam Kavanagh and who has also won both of his Australian starts thus far. He finished too well when taking out an Open race at Morphettville (1600m) before travelling to Caulfield and claiming a RST 89 (2000m) by 1 ¼. Boss rode him to his last win and has followed him up here and given his European record, will run the trip right out.
13. SAINT ENCOSTA – M Cahill (16)
6yo from the soon to be defunct Patinack Farm operation who hasn’t been sighted in any of his four runs this time in. He ran second to last in the Hollindale Stakes behind Light of Heaven and followed that up with a ninth (beaten close to ten lengths) in the G3 Chairman’s Handicap last start.
14. STUDIO – T Clark (4)
Won a week Canterbury mid-week BM 80 (1900m) under 59kgs three starts back before failing miserably on the heavy track at Randwick and then, at his most recent start, bouncing back on a firmer surface with a head win over Buffett in a BM 90 (2200m) on the Gold Coast. He’ll welcome the 54kg and good draw however, needs a dry surface and I would think, easier grade of race.
15. LESS IS MORE – C Reith (8)
Another former European galloper, this one with David Vandyke and who created an impression in a light Spring campaign, despite not winning any of his three runs then. He was good in an unsuitably run race first up behind Skyrushe and tough when, at his next and most recent start, he scored a neck win on a slow track under 57kgs in a BM 85 at Eagle Farm. This race third up suits and did run a close fourth to Mourayan in the Craven Plate last prep.
16. WARRIOR WITHIN – (1)
To find this old boy’s latest win, you have to trace his form back to October 2011 where he won a BM 90. He has ran some good races since, including a third in the Grafton Cup but his four runs back this prep would suggest that he’ll struggle here.
17. GOLD CAPE – (13) EM
The first of five emergencies who will get a start with the scratching of Moriarty. She beat Miss Artistic in NZ before coming across to take on the G3 Chairman’s Handicap (2100m) but showed her dislike for wet tracks and finished eleventh of fourteen (beaten 8.9 lengths). Even with a dry track though, couldn’t include her here.
18. ENDOR – M Walker (15) EM
New Zealand galloper trained by Graeme Rogerson who actually ran ninth in the G3 Grand Prix Stakes way back in 2011. Since then, the son of Duelled has won four start including his most recent two outings in a BM 75 and a BM 85 both at Te Rapa. Depsite winning, that form will not be strong enough here.
19. I GOTTA FEELING – (3) EM
Yet another from the land of the long white cloud chancing his arm in the warm QLD winter. This mare is trained by John Wheeler of Rough Habit fame however, unlike his champion of year’s gone by, he’ll be unlikely to visit the winner’s stall with this runner, judging by her last placing in the G3 Chairman’s Handicap a fortnight ago.
20. DAZZLE US – (7) EM
Red Dazzler 4yo who has run fifth in both the Listed Tails Stakes (2100m) and G3 Chairman’s Handicap (2100m) at his last two starts and, whilst his efforts in both of those races where better than some entered here, still find it hard to see him winning.
21. MARKOUT – (11) EM
Won a Class 6 at Eagle Farm three starts back and his most recent effort was a solid second placing (under 59kgs) on a heavy Gold Coast track in a BM 80 (1800m). Good effort last start for much weaker races than this one.
OVERVIEW
Not many here with form that is easy to like and, coupled with the big field, it will be a hard way for punters to finish the day. Going with Ginga Dude here has I think he has more positives heading into this race than most. He hasn’t missed a place over this trip from five starts and tackling this event third up from a spell, is ideal. He can take a forward position and this is a very similar race to G3 Tatt’s Cup (2200m) which he won (with 59kgs) last winter. Midsummer Sun the next best as he has plenty of upside to him and Boss aboard in staying races is always worth a few extra lengths. I’ll ignore the strike rate and throw in Strike the Stars for a place off the back of his last start and the fact that he hasn’t been out to this trip for some time.
