Rob Heathcote’s run of success looks set to continue when his 6yo mare Fillydelphia lines up as joint favourite in the Listed Recognition Stakes at Doomben this Saturday. The 6yo mare really hit her straps last start when, at her third run back from a spell, she stepped up to the distance of 1400m, winning comfortably. It was the perfect hit-out for this race. Black Cash returns from a successful trip to Victoria and shares favouritism at $4.20
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1. LISTEN SON – L Cassidy (16) 59kgs
Tough front-runner who registered a 1 ¼ length win two starts back over a mile, before leading until the shadows of the post last start beating all bar Morning Captain in a an Open Handicap over 1350m. In form and the return to the mile will be a plus however, drawing wide in a big field, under 59kgs, are two factors that may play a significant part late in the race.
2. FILLYDELPHIA – M Cahill (1) 58kgs
The daughter of Bianconi appreciated the step up to 1400m at her last start, registering a comprehensive 3 ¼ length win over Zedlion and Falino at her third run back this preparation. She did only have 55kgs last start and raises to 58 here however, she did run a close up third in this race last year under 57kgs and her stats at this track and this distance, read very well. Should be in the box seat from gate one and prove hard to beat.
3. BLACK CASH – T Bell (8) 56kgs
He continued his good form this time in with victory in the Grey’s race at Flemington on Oaks Day. The Show A Heart 5yo had 60kgs and had to dig deep late when challenged by the handy performer Member’s Joy. Has had a few dips at Listed races in the past with no success but never in better form than he is now and would have to be included as a top hope.
4. POOR JUDGE – C Munce (11) 56kgs
The 8yo returned from a year’s break with an encouraging third behind Rocket To Glory in Open company over 1200m three starts back. His two subsequent starts however, have seen the Chris Jordan trained runner finish well off the pace. Had a nice run in transit last start but could only finish sixth of eleven behind Fillydelphia. Needed to see more from him in his last couple to consider him a genuine chance in this race.
5.DOLLY DOLLY – B Richardson (3) 54kgs
After two good efforts back from a spell, trainer Brian Smith took the daughter of Pentire to Melbourne for a crack at some better races. She finished fifth (2.6 lengths) behind subsequent G1 place-getter Catkins in the G3 Eliza Park International (1600m) before a poor performance in the G2 Energy Stakes saw her finish well done the track behind Girls Gone Rockin’ and Queenstown. Can produce a run in a good race, as evident by her third earlier this year in the Epona Stakes and, if forgiving of the last start, the current price of $18.00 represents good each-way value.
6. DOZINTMATERANYWAY – R Thompson (13) 54kgs
This 7yo gelding by Danske has had five starts for trainer Liam Birchley since joining his stable earlier this year from New Zealand. Each of those starts have been at Listed or Group company but by the same token, he’s been well accounted for in each with his most recent effort, in the G3 Sandown Stakes (1400m), resulting in him finishing last of ten and over eight lengths from Mahisara. Needs to find significant improvement.
7. PEPPERWOOD – G Colless (4) 54kgs
The evergreen 9yo galloper will line up here for start number seventy-three. He’s had three starts since a brief nine-week break with the most recent seeing him holding his ground in the run home behind Fillydelphia, finishing seventh (6 ¼ lengths). His last three wins have come on slow or heavy tracks and think he’d need similar conditions to be realistic chance of victory here.
8. BANG ON – T Harrison (10) 54kgs
Tony Gollan’s mare has only had two starts since returning from a twenty week spell and both would suggest that she’s likely to struggle here. She’s started at 40/1 on both occasions – Open class races over 1300 and 1400m and finished eighth each time, beaten by margins of 6 ½ and 8 ½ lengths. Will start a longer price here.
9. FALINO – B Stewart (12) 54kgs
After claiming a BM 90 (1350m) four starts back, the Darren Bell trained runner has stepped up to Open company at his two most recent starts. He finished fourth behind Morning Captain and Listen Son before, at his most recent start, finishing third (3.4 lengths) behind Fillydelphia over 1400m when getting every chance in the run. Meets Fillydelphia 3kgs better but still that advantage will be enough for him to turn the tables.
10. ABSOLON – C Lever (7) 54kgs
This Sam Kavanagh trained runner is a lightly raced 5yo who will be stepping up to the mile for the first time in his career. A tenacious effort last start saw the son of Mossman register a head win at his second run back from a spell in a BM 75 race at Randwick over 1400m. Inclined to follow the stables lead of travelling him from his Rosehill base for this race and would expect a strong performance. Interestingly, he won the Listed Delrello Stakes here as a 2yo at his second start, defeating Mahisara.
11. BILLY AUCASH – R Wiggins (9) 54kgs
He was rewarded for some consistent efforts with a head win in a BM 85 (1800m) last start defeating Gold Cape. It was his second win from his past five starts and earned the 6yo his first shot at a Listed race in his twenty-eight start career. Is in honest form but still expected him to come up a few lengths short at this level.
12. ESSINGTON – B El-Issa (6) 54kgs
The well bred 7yo has run fourth at each of his past three starts, the most recent of which was 4.7 lengths behind Fillypelphia over 1400m. It’s been a long time sin he has won a race – July 2011 in fact and, on recent efforts, not sure he’ll be able to break that drought in this race.
13. ELMANTOSH – R McMahon (17) 54kgs
4yo Mossman gelding who has progressed nicely this preparation, so much so that his trainer, Gold Coast’s Bruce Hill, sent him to Rosehill last start for a BM 80 over 1500m. He was last on the turn and the widest in the straight but finished well to run fifth (3.7 lengths) behind She’s A Girl. Will have to give them a big start again from the poor draw and would ideally liked to have seen this race be held at the bigger Eagle Farm circuit for him however, he’s not without hope at double figures.
14. SECRET GARDEN – M Vance (14) 54kgs
Two runs back for this Paul Nolan trained runner have been in Class 6 races. He has finished eighth of eleven and fourth of eight, beaten 3.5 and 2.2 lengths respectively. Showed some improvement last start and out to a mile third up will suit but, this is a big step up in class and four of his six career wins have come on rain affected tracks.
15. ZA MAGIC – E Wilkinson (2) 54kgs
8yo stayer who resumes here off an eleven week spell. Not surprisingly, he normally takes a few runs back and getting to a middle distance before being able to produce his best. Will likely take up a forward spot from his good draw but first up over this trip, expect him to be in need of the run.
16. ZEDLION – J Byrne (5) 54kgs.
The 6yo has had three starts for new trainer Matthew Dunn since arriving from Gary Portelli’s stable. The most recent was a very solid second (beaten 3 ¼ length) to Fillypelphia (1400m). Should be ready for the mile now, fourth run back from a spell and did compete well in Sydney last prep in BM 80-85 races, which should give him a genuine chance here.
17. SKATING AWAY – (15) 54kgs (1st EM)
She has placed in each of her three starts back from a spell. She ran second as 5/2 favourite behind Pretty Gully two starts back before running a neck third to Venture On in a Class 6 (1400m). Going well in easier races but should the 5yo mare get a start, will find this grade too strong.
RACE OVERVIEW
Hard to go past Fillydelphia here. She hit her straps last start and the step up to a mile will benefit her moreso. Unlike most here, she’s proven this class and has very good stats. Elmantosh is an improving who was good in Sydney last start under 58kgs. Drops nicely here to the minimum and with a big field engaged here, should get the pace on up front that he requires. Zedlion will get a lovely run from five and is a definite place chance whilst Dolly Dolly, who was good in a Group race two starts ago and performed at Group level last prep as well, is capable of bouncing back and producing a good run at a good price.
