Chris Waller has three representatives – Class Is Class ($13), Beaten Up ($8.50) and Moriarty ($7.50) in this race and they will be out to emulate Waller’s Snow Alert who won this race three years ago. It is another competitive race and with several different formline for punters to gauge, it’s not surprising to see an open market posted.
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1. CLASS IS CLASS – (2)
European galloper who signalled in his first three runs in Australia last Spring that a good race was well within his reach. He returned from a twenty-four week spell with a eighth where he finished 3.2 lengths behind Skyerush and Alma’s Fury in the G3 Doncaster Prelude (1600m). Closed from last in that race and can only be better for the hit-out. He’s also been given a barrier trail by Waller last week. Expect a bold showing.
2. MONTON – J Parr (6)
Went within a whisker of holding off Shoot Out in the G1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) three starts back and followed that up with a third behind Havana Rey in the G2 Ajax Stakes (1500m). He didn’t enjoy the heavy conditions of the G1 Doncaster last start and finished near last. Back on firmer footy will be of benefit to him and would have to be considered a chance on his Chipping Norton/Ajax Stakes effort.
3. SPEEDINESS – C Reith (12)
Caulfield trainer Colin Scott brings this 5yo to NSW after a solid win last start in the Listed Pink Ribbon Cup (1400m) over Parthian and Club Command. That was his third run in this prep so expecting him to be at the top of his and has competed very well when racing in NSW in the past. Unfortunately, he’s come up with the ‘visitor’s draw’ here and that will make this a challenge but if Reith can find a spot and give him half a chance, he’ll make is presence felt.
4. BEATEN UP – (3)
Another import who was thrown into the deep end by Waller when making his Australian debut in the G2 Ajax Stakes. After setting at the tail of the field, the son of Beat Hollow caught the eye finishing well through the field and within four length of winner Havana Rey. Off that effort, he was well supported in the G3 Doncaster Prelude last start where again he got back to last but in a race dominated by those up front, he could only manage eleventh (beaten 4.3 lengths). Not run to suit last start and he’ll need the tempo on here, especially if he is to get back from his inside draw.
5. MORIARTY – (9)
He kept improving with each run last preparation that culminated in him winning the Listed Tatts Cup (2000m) and Gosford Cup (2100m). He too resumed in the G3 Doncaster Prelude (1600m) and finished a pleasing fifth (beaten 2.1 lengths) behind in form Skyerush after being forced wide on the turn. He can only be better for that outing and will not have had to improve much off it to be in the mix here.
6. MERLIN MUSTANG – (10)
Tough on-pacer who has won six of his nineteen starts and last prep, claimed a win over Foreteller and a close up fifth behind All Legal and Alma’s Fury in the G2 Villiers (1600m) He returned from a spell with a typically honest performance when third (beaten 2.2 lengths) behind Keith’s Legacy (1400m) on a Heavy track at Randwick. He’ll go forward and if allowed to control the tempo, give them something to catch.
7. KEITH’S LEGACY – P Robl (11)
A lightly raced 6yo who has won his last two on the trot, the first being a BM 85 at Randwick on Easter Monday and then a BM 95, again at Randwick, defeating Under the Sun and Merlin Mustang on a Heavy Track. That took his record to seven wins (six of them on Heavy or Slow) from twenty-four starts and earned him a shot at his first Black Type race. In good form but this is a new level and he’s drawn awkwardly.
8. EURYALE – (4)
After a successful Winter campaign where he confirmed his liking for wet tracks, we expected to see a little from this 4yo mare than what we did in four starts during the Spring, even though he was allocated big weights. He returned in the BM 95 race behind Keith’s Legacy a fortnight ago but finished well down the track in eleventh position and it’s hard to see him turning the tables here.
9. HOME ON A WING – (7)
6yo from the Anthony Cummings stables whom we have only seen twice since he failed in the G3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2011. The most recent effort was a fortnight ago and as expected, he was in need of the run when finishing ninth behind Keith’s Legacy. He’ll need this run too.
10. MOURO – G Schofield (1)
Astute trainer Tony McEvoy has combined with Schofield with regular success in Sydney over the past six months and it’s interesting to see this 4yo entered here, given that he is eligible for easier races. Second up from a spell, he chased home the in-form Messene a week ago in a BM 85 race over 1600m. He drops 3kgs on that run and respecting the stable’s decision to have a tilt at this race. Stays under notice.
11. ZONZA – J Ford (8)
Roger James brings this Zabeel mare across from New Zealand to make her Australia debut and with her she brings a record of three wins, including her most recent two starts, and five placings from nine outings. Most of her starts in NZ have been in company well below the quality of this race and think the trainer might be given her this hit-out on the way to Brisbane?
12. SETTA ROCKS – (5)
Fastnet Rock mare who likes to bowl along out in front whose recent efforts at Randwick and Canterbury in BM 75 grade, have produced a ¾ second to Mossmoney and 1 ½ fourth to Westchester. She’ll go forward but will find the class of this race beyond her in the straight.
OVERVIEW –
Merlin Mustang leads with Setta Rocks and Mouro handy. Hard to line up the form on several here and we’ve only seen a few runners a handful of times which makes this a tricky race to assess. In the end, I’m going with Moriarty who showed enough first up in a good race, that he’s come back where he finished off. The way last start panned out didn’t suit Beaten Up and going on his first up effort, he could easily bounce back here. Third up from a spell, they may try from a good draw, to hold a position a little handier to the speed. They line up for the placings after that! Merlin Mustang will stick. Speediness needs a touch of luck in the run and not forgetting Monton.
