In what could be a bid day for Darley, their representative in the G3 Sandown Stakes Galah, looks very hard to beat. He has encountered to smart horses recently but finds a winnable race here and on his recent efforts, thoroughly deserves to walk away from this preparation with a good win to his name. He is the early elect at $3.80 He’ll be out to prevent Mahisara ($4.80) from making it back-to-back wins in this race. Mahisara was good first up down the Flemington straight and only carries 1kg more than he did in last year’s win. The only other runner in the field of eleven is last start winner Richie’s Vibe at $4.40

1. GALAH – K McEvoy (3)

Each of his three starts this time in suggests this 5yo by Redoute’s Choice will be very hard to beat in this race. A close up seventh in the Gilgai Stakes behind Platelet was followed by a fast-finishing third to the outstanding Boban in the G3 Moonga Stakes (1400m) over this track and trip before, at his last start on Derby Day, running second to Smokin’ Joey – who subsequently ran second to Boban in the Emirates Stakes last Saturday by 1 ¾ lengths. Ran into some very smart gallopers last two and finds a race without them here. He’ll go very close.

2. LORD OF BRAZIL – M Payne (6)

His form reads much better than it appears in the form-guides. Second up from a seven month spell and carrying 60kgs, he ran third to Blackie (ran third in G1 race next start) and Sertorius (winner of Bendigo Cup and beaten a nose in G3 since) before finishing well from the tail of the field in the G1 Toorak Handicap, running 3 ½ lengths behind Solzhenitsyn. Stepped up to G2 WFA Crystal Mile last start and struggled behind Toydini and Speediness but back to this grade and weight conditions, he is capable of performing much better than his current quote of $12.00 would suggest.

3. MAHISARA – C Williams (8)

He will shoot across to lead, just as he did when resuming from a spell last start in the Listed Mss Security Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Cup Day. He drew gate twenty last start and had to make his run up the Flemington straight by himself closer to the outside fence whilst the trifecta in the race, came up the centre of the track. He did well to run fifth (beaten 1.9 lengths) behind Richie’s Vibe. Should get a comfortable lead here and back to a turning track that can favour those handy to the speed, he should be in this for a long way.

4. RICHIE’S VIBE – D Oliver (5)

After some unlucky runs this preparation, the son of Danerich finally got the breaks in the Listed Mss Security Stakes (1200m) and finished too well for Sea Lord and Pago Rock to win right on the line. He should get every chance in the run here from a gate five and provided he is still within reach of Mahisara rounding the turn, the Tony Vasil trained runner can register back to back wins here and claim his first Group race.

5. MISTER MILTON – D Dunn (9)

Nothing if not a trier is this Snippetson stallion but he does find it hard to win having only tasted success twice in twenty-eight starts. He finished just on two lengths behind Platelet in the G2 Gilgai Stakes and within three lengths of Boban in the G3 Moonga Stakes. From a wide gate he led last start in the G3 Tab.com.au Stakes before weakening late and sixth (beaten 3.5 lengths) behind Smokin’ Joey and Galah. Leading is not generally his go but from a wider gate and with only one natural leader engaged, it maybe something connections attempt again. If he does find a comfortable spot in the run, seeing him fill a place would not surprise.

6. KOONOOMOO – D Lane (11)

Handy mare trained by Rod Grantley who after running a close up fourth behind Aerobatics in the G3 Series Final, ran a career best to beat all bar Red Tracer – who then subsequently won the G1 Myer Classic – home in the G2 Tristarc Stakes. As she did in the Tristarc, she took up a forward position at her next and most recent start in the G3 Lavazza Stakes (1400m) but wilted late to run eleventh of sixteen and finish eight lengths from winner Plucky Belle. Expect her to go forward again but will find this race no easier than her past four races which have all been against her won sex.

7. FREERETURN – B Melham (10)

The Rubiton 7yo who has had four starts this time in hasn’t really produced a performance during that time that would suggest he could be a leading contender here. Two starts back he finished 1 ½ lengths behind Canali in an Open handicap at Moonee Valley before finishing well down the track behind Lankan Rupee in the Earl Gray Stakes (1000m) last start. Started 20/1 last start and would expect a similar price to be on offer about him here.

8. EXIMIUS – C Newitt (1)

Rounded out his last campaign with victory in the Listed Sunshine Coast Guineas (1600m) and returned to racing as a 4yo with a fair sixth (beaten 2.6 lengths) behind British General in the Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes (1400m) The son of Exceed and Excel then stepped out and up in class when contesting the G3 Tab.com.au Stakes where he finished last of twelve runners and eight lengths behind Smokin’ Joey. He had some handy form around some smart three year olds last season but hard to include him off of his last start.

9. GO THE KNUCKLE – (7)

Surprised most when, at his fourth run back this campaign, he finished a neck third to in-form Vibrant Rouge in an Open handicap at Moonee Valley at 20/1. That effort however appears to be the exceptions to the rule as at his next start, in the Listed Mss Security Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Cup Day, resulted in him finishing second to last in the field of twenty. That run was more like his first three runs in this prep and could not include him here.

10. DOZITMATERANYWAY – L Nolen (4)

Former New Zealand galloper who failed to impress in any of his three starts during the Brisbane Winter Carnival earlier this year and was only fair when resuming in the Mss Security Stakes (1200m) at Flemington last week (tenth, beaten 5 ½ lengths). As a 7yo, quite happy to wait for him to produce the goods in Australia first before suggesting he could.

11. LADY OF HARRODS – (2)

Dubawi mare who showed plenty of promise as a 3yo by winning the G3 McNeil Stakes, the 1000 Guineas Prelude and running a close up fifth in the Listed Darby Munro Stakes last season. Her two starts back from a six month spell though, haven’t seen the Russell Cameron trained runner be able to recapture that form as yet. She finished tenth in the Listed Alinghi Stakes and twelfth in the G. H Mumm Stakes behind Liesele and Dystopia respectively. She has had to carry decent weights in both of those races and could possibly be fitter again for this, her third up run off a long break but still couldn’t include her among the chances on what we’ve seen in the past month.

RACE OVERVIEW

Mahisara leads and if afforded a comfortable run in front, as was the case when he won this race last year, they may not be able to run him down. Taking a line through Boban and Smokin’ Joey, Galah is in brilliant form. Only needs to be within striking distance of Mahisara on the turn to be a chance and his opening price was quickly taken when first posted by bookmakers on Wednesday evening. Richie’s Vibe had been racing without luck but he showed last start what he is capable of when given the chance. Not sure I’d be rushing in at his current price, he is up in weight and class but he is a genuine place chance all the same. Lord of Brazil may be the forgotten horse. His form prior to last start which was a WFA G1, was very solid. Ideally would like to see him over a mile but look for him to be finishing hard late.

1. MAHISARA

2. GALAH

3. RICHIE’S VIBE

4. LORD OF BRAZIL