The feature race in Sydney is the running of the San Domenico Stakes. It’s the first time we’ll see several smart 2yo’s step out as 3yo’s with all bar one of the nine runners resuming from a spell. Among the entrants is Sidestep ($3.20 favourite), the Darley horse that ran second in this year’s Golden Slipper to Overreach along with four further runners who have been successful at Listed level. Many given a hope here with only Fast Dragon ($61.00) being ruled no chance by punters.
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San Domenico Stakes Form Guide
1. SIDESTEP – (6) 58.5kgs
Promising type who didn’t have the ideal preparation leading into this year’s Golden Slipper, having to race on three consecutive Saturday’s however, he was still able to produce an outstanding effort to run second to Overreach. The son of Exceed and Excel has been prepped for his return with a barrier trail a fortnight ago where he ran second (beaten 9 lengths) to Rain Affair who demoralised the field in last week’s Missile Stakes. Only has to be as good as what he was prior to his spell to be winning here.
2. KUROSHIO – (1) 58kgs
A stable-mate to Sidestep who also showed plenty of promise in his 2yo season by winning the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude where he accounted for Fast’n’Rocking and Dissident. He didn’t appear to enjoy the soft condition in both the Sliver and Golden Slippers before being spelled. Looked good in winning a barrier trail a fortnight ago in readiness for his return, where Eurozone, the impressive winner of last week’s The Rosebud, ran third. He has drawn to be prominent and hoping for a dry track.
3. WHITTINGTON – N Rawiller (3) 57.5kgs
Winner of the Listed Breeders Plate on debut before being spelled and returning to claim one of his three starts during the Autumn, that being the Lonhro Plate at Warwick Farm where he defeated Va Pensiero with Windjammer fourth. He’s had the mandatory two Gai Waterhouse barrier trails for his resumption here, winning one and running second in the latest. He’ll track the speed throughout and will be ready to produce first up.
4. NEVER CAN TELL – P Robl (5) 57.5kgs
Kicked off his last campaign with a win over Whittington in the Canonbury Stakes (1100m) where he dug deep in the concluding stages to score by ½ a length. That made it two from two for this Anthony Cumming trained galloper but his two runs following the Canonbury, where plain and he was spelled. Robl piloted this son of War Pass in a trail on the 2nd August where he ran second to Kuroshio with Eurozone third.
5. FAST DRAGON – J McDonald (7)
A New Zealander galloper by Fastnet Rock who, at his third and most recent race start back in April of this year, claimed the Listed Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie. He hasn’t been seen at the trials since and trainer Bruce Wallace has thrown him in the deep end here first up. Safe to wait for him to get over a longer trip.
6 WHISKEY ALLROUND – M Cahill (2) 57kgs
Commenced his career in QLD with three consecutive victories at the end of last year and resumed in the Autumn with a cracking run behind Sweet Idea in the G2 Silver Slipper Stakes, closing from the tail of the field to run a head second. Off that effort started favourite in the Todman Stakes but was vetted after a poor performance and immediately spelled. Trainer Tony Gollan has given the son of All Bar One two trials (both in QLD) in readiness for this race and from gate 2, expect he’ll hold a forward position throughout.
7. WINDJAMMER – N Berry (8)
Warwick Farm trainer Bjorn Baker prepares this son of Bernardini who caught the eye when first up last prep, finishing hard behind Whittington before running fourth in the G2 Todman Stakes behind Criterion. Failed in both the Golden Slipper and Sire’s Produce and was then spelled. Returned to racing in a BM 72 at Rosehill a fortnight ago where, under 59kgs, he produced a solid finish to win by 1 ¼ lengths. Would be better again with that run under his belt and he’ll appreciate what should be, a very solid tempo up front.
8. VA PENSIERO – T Clark (9) 56kgs
Found Whittington a shade too strong first up last time in, running a long neck second before being well beaten in both the Todman and Golden Slipper Stakes. Jason Coyle has given him two barrier trials prior to this race with the son of Stratum winning the first and running third (beaten a neck) in his latest behind I’m All The Talk and Zoustar. Has his share of ability but from the wide gate, will have to run a few smart ones down to be winning here.
9. CLUSTER – J Bowman (4) 56kgs.
Nicely bred son of Fastnet Rock out of the well performed mare Tarcoola Diamond and has only had the one start thus far. That was in a Canterbury maiden back in April (started at 40/1 and won by Zoustar) he offered little in the run home and finished sixth (beaten 3.9 lengths). He’s also had two trails in the past month, on both occasion ridden by Bowman with the latest being a smart type of win over 1050m. He has been kept relative safe in the market for a horse that’s had one start in a maiden at $12.00.
OVERVIEW
Kuroshio will try and hold his inside spot or at least make a few earn the leading position, from his inside draw. He’ll be joined by Whittington and Whiskey Allround, with Never Can Tell and Sidestep trailing the speed. It is always hard to line up these horses as they return for their 3yo season. Some will have come on, some may have not, some may be wound right up before the stars of last season return and same may now need more ground. Going on what we saw last season as the best guide though, there was a lot to like about the efforts Sidestep produced during the Autumn in what was, through uncontrollable circumstances, a rushed campaign. He’ll get a nice drag behind the leading bunch here and should have the class to finish over the top. There’s a host of them with legitimate chance with the pick for mine being Windjammer. Has had the benefit of a run and will be finishing harder than most.
- SIDESTEP
- WINDJAMMER
- WHITTINGTON
- KUROSHIO
