Seymour’s Cup meeting, to be held this Sunday, rounds out a super weekend of racing. A nine race card with the $150,000.00 feature race of the day over a mile; makes for another day of competitive racing. Gai Waterhouse, who ran third in this race last year with Tribal Rock, returns this year with The Great Snowman – the current favourite at $3.60 His main challengers, according to the market, are the Tony McEvoy trained Sysmo ($4.60) and Cosmic Causeway who will be representing Peter Moody’s stables at $5.50.
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1. VOILA ICI – (11)
The former imported galloper spent the past twelve months with Peter Moody however, with more poor runs than good ones during that time, he now finds himself with local trainer Shea Eden. He hasn’t raced since running last in the Slickpix Stakes (1700m), his first run back from a spell, seven weeks ago now. With a big weight (60kgs) a wide draw and a plain effort last start, he’s entitled to be a big price here.
Odds: $26.00
2. COSMIC CAUSEWAY – L Nolen (9)
He rounded out his last campaign with three consecutive victories and after producing a fast-finishing fifth first up in Listed Sofitel Stakes (1400m), it appeared the 6yo by Shamardal had picked up from where he left off. He was sent out a 13/2 chance at his next start, an Open handicap at Moonee Valley (1500m) but unfortunately pulled up lame and his final placing of ninth, some ten lengths of the winner Blackie, should be ignored. The form out of the Moonee Valley race is very good; and going on his first up effort, he can easily bounce back here.
Odds: $5.50
3. CHASSE – (2)
The first of two representatives for Darley, this 6yo by Octagonal is never far away from the winner but he has found it hard in the past twelve months to win one. He was well accounted for behind Pakal and Alpha Proxima three starts back before, at 40/1, running a cheeky race to finish 2.1 lengths fifth behind Ibicenco in the Listed Slickpix Stakes (1700m). He was then sent to Sydney for a crack at the G3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) just over a month ago but failed to finish the race. Produced some solid form last time in but struggling so far this campaign and hasn’t had a good preparation for this.
Odds: $19.00
4. ALPHA PROXIMA – D Dunn (8)
From a wide gate, the Leon Corstens galloper was hunted forward and did well to hold on for sixth, 2.1 lengths behind The Great Snowman at Moonee Valley two starts back. His next start a fortnight later at the same track, saw him again put in an honest effort when fourth (beaten 5.5 lengths) behind Blackie. As mentioned above the form out of that race is red-hot and he’ll be a definite chance here.
Odds: $11.00
5. THE GREAT SNOWMAN – J McDonald (7)
He was afforded the run of the race two starts back when winning an Open class race (1500m) at Moonee Valley by 1 ½ lengths, defeating Lord Durante and Verdant. He then stepped up in grade and distance when lining up in the G3 JRA Cup where again, he had a lovely run throughout be couldn’t go with the leaders over the final stages and held on for third (4.7 lengths) behind Mourinho. Mourinho ran third subsequently in last week’s Cranbourne Cup and the return to a mile will be to his favour. Will go forward and whilst he’s a good on a dry track, he’s better again if any rain were to fall.
Odds: $3.60
6. ROAD TRIPPIN’ – P Mertens (5)
The widest gate in the field of sixteen proved no obstacle for this 4yo by Charge Forward when he claimed the Bairnsdale Cup (1600m) two starts ago. That was his fifth career win from twenty-four starts and was just reward for his recent consistent efforts. He then stepped out on Wednesday at the Caulfield 1000 Guineas meeting where he finished a long way from winner Rhythm To Spare in a RST 90 (1600m) under 59.5kgs. Better suited here but would not so sure about him lining up for start number 3 in the space of a fortnight.
Odds: $7.00
7. LORD WIMBLE – C Schofield (4)
He has had three runs back from a long nine month break and won the second of those runs, a RST 86 (1300m) race in Adelaide. His most recent start was a solid run behind British General and Bello in the Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield last week. That race was dominated by the leading pair and this 6yo by Bianconi, produced some smart efforts this time last year including a fourth to Mahisara in the G3 Sandown Stakes (1500m). Gets a good run from gate four and at $21, would be a good selection to put some value into the multiples.
Odds: $21.00
8. PROVERB – (3)
The second of Darley’s runners, this 4yo by Commands has been well off the mark in four runs back from a spell. He finished tenth and ninth in the G3 Cameron Handicap and G2 Shannon Stakes respectively but even a drop in grade, to a BM 90 at Rosehill, didn’t assist him in producing a better effort and he finished eighth behind the impressive Salon Soldier. Can’t have him on what he has displayed this time in.
Odds: $11.00
9. SYSMO – N Hall (10)
Lightly raced and promising 5yo from the astute stables of Tony McEvoy. After producing a good win second up last prep at Canterbury, he was immediately stepped up to contest the Listed JRA Plate (2000m) and G3 Chairman’s Handicap (2100m) where he finished a close up sixth and third respectively. He has only had the one start since resuming from a twenty week spell and was doing his best work late, running third in a field of six (beaten 1.9 lengths). Better for that runs and gets a nice weight drop on last start. He needs the pace to be a genuine one and if so, is capable of finishing hard.
Odds: $4.50
10. LANGRIDGE STREET – M Walker (1)
Not much was expected from this 6yo when resuming in the Listed Drummond Golf Stakes (1200m) and his effort was fair in running eighth, just on four lengths behind the in-form winner Le Bonsir. His next and most recent start was a second to last (beaten 3.7 lengths) behind Molto Bene in the Tavern Stakes (1400m) a Flemington a fortnight ago. Should be able to take up a good sport from his inside gate and third up run last prep he finished alongside Cosmic Causeway in an Open Handicap over 1400m but, has only won four from his twenty-nine starts and think he would have to produce a career best to secure victory here.
Odds: $15.00
11. MURDOCH’S JOY – J McNeil (6)
Brian Cox trains this 6yo out of his Wodonga stables and produced him first up off a twenty-two week spell to win a BM 70 at Benalla (1406m) in good style. Jumps up significantly in grade here and when he has attempted a better class of race or tried his hand in town previously, has fallen short. Looks to be well covered here.
Odds: $26.00
RACE OVERVIEW
The Great Snowman and Alpha Proxima (drawn gates 7 and 8 respectively) should both roll forward from their gates and take up prominent positions. If able to set the pace, there’s no reason why both will not be in the thick of it at the finish but trailing them across, is top pick Cosmic Causeway. He had genuine excuses last start and his previous form warrants forgiveness. Wary of Sysmo. Lining up for only his fourteenth start and think we’ll see the best of him this campaign and over the next 12 months. Look for him to be finishing late.
- COSMIC CAUSEWAY
- THE GREAT SNOWMAN
- ALPHA PROXIMA
- SYSMO