The second Group 2 race of the day and second to last race for the meeting is the Shannon Stakes with a field of twelve hoping to secure their place in the G1 Epsom handicap the following week. Early favourite is lightly raced Victorian 5yo Your Honour who lines up for only his seventh race start. In an open market, he holds the call in front of a few more Victorians in High Esteem ($5.00) and Hosting ($6.50). Best of the local hopes, according to the market, is with the Gai Waterhouse trained Our Desert Warrior ($6.50).
[include file=”inpost_adrotator.php”]
1. CENTENNIAL PARK – J Bowman (12)
8yo who has won one of his last twenty-seven starts for trainer David Payne. He’ll line up for his fourth run back from a spell with his most recent effort being a fifth (beaten 3.2 lengths) behind Riva De Lago in the G2 Theo Marks Stakes (1400m). He had every chance last start and it followed a similar effort when ninth behind Veyron in the G2 Warwick Stakes. Drops slightly in grade but still needs to lift on those efforts.
2. MONTON – S Clipperton (3)
He resumed for trainer Ron Quinton in the G3 Show County with a fair effort behind Rebel Dane (eleventh, beaten 3.7 lengths). He then drew the widest gate in the G2 Theo Marks Stakes (1400m), settled at the tail of the field and never figured in the run home. Third up last prep he ran third (over this track/trip) in the Ajax Stakes behind Havana Rey and Riva De Lago when sitting up on the speed. He’ll get the chance to do that from his good draw in this race and may be one to through into multiples for some value.
3. TRANSPORTER – N Rawiller (8)
Consistent Queensland galloper who put together a very strong winter campaign that included a half length third behind Lights of Heaven and Foreteller in the G2 Hollindale Stakes on the Gold Coast. He resumed from a twelve week spell with a moderate effort in the G3 Tramway Stakes behind Bello (eighth, beaten 2.2 lengths) and off that effort, thought we’d see more than his fourteenth of sixteen in the G3 Cameron Handicap (1500m) at his next and most recent start. Uncharacteristic effort last start and not want you’d want to be seeing heading into a race like this.
4. HIGH ESTEEM – J Parr (4)
Returned to racing after claiming the Listed Adelaide Guineas (1800m) last prep, in the G2 P B Lawrence but found the class a touch too strong finishing sixth of eight behind Puissance De Lune. He took benefit from that run and appreciated the drop in grade when, after being ridden a treat by Daniel Stackhouse, he was collared right on the line by Lidari in a Open handicap (1400m) at Caulfield. Trainer Peter Moody then travelled the son of Redoute’s Choice to Newcastle for the G3 Cameron Handicap but unfortunately for connections and backers alike, he again found one too good, running second to Toydini. In solid form for an event like this and gets every chance from barrier four.
5. HOYLONNY – J Cassidy (2)
Interestingly, this Lonhro gelding tackles this race first up from a spell for trainer Chris Waller. He’s first up form is not flash but unlike the commencement of earlier preparations, Waller has given him two barrier trials in readiness for this race, the latest of which was a strong hit-out that he won by two lengths. Best form generally comes later in his preps and over more ground but might be capable of a cheeky effort judging by his barrier trials – ridden by Cassidy in both.
6. SINGLE – N Berry (11)
Showed a lot of promise early in his career did this son of High Chaparral but niggling injuries have prevented him from recapturing his best form since. He was pleasing in a return to racing from a seventeen week spell when finishing fourth in a BM 90 (1400m) at Rosehill behind the smart Boban. Couldn’t have expected more from him first up and has been given four weeks to get over that race but, from the second to widest gate, he’ll have to produce his best to figure in the finish here.
7. RAIN DRUM – P Robl (1)
A lightly raced 6yo from Gai Waterhouse stable who returns to racing here after fifteen months on the sidelines. He has been prepped for his return with two strong winning barrier trials and from barrier one, you can expect he’ll lead. He’s won five of his ten starts and been placed on the other five occasions, including the Listed Wagga Gold Cup (2000m) last year – is only attempt at Listed/Group races – but this would be some effort, by both horse and trainer, if he could claim a race of this quality first up after such a lay-off.
8. YOUR HONOUR – B Avdulla (7)
A Niello 5yo who won his first four races straight on the provincial tracks of Victoria, when commencing his career late last year. He was spelled for ten months and wasn’t seen at the trials but must’ve been working the house down as he started 11/4 favourite upon his return when fourth to stable-mate Hosting (since won at Rosehill) at Lakeside Sandown. He then travelled north for the G2 Theo Marks Stakes and caught the eye finishing hard late for third behind Riva De Lago and Solzhenitsyn. Can only be fitter and more experienced for the Theo Marks run, step up in distance is also a positive and will be hitting the line hard.
9. PROVERB – (9)
Just kept waiting for this Commands 4yo from the Darley to hit his straps last time in. After five unsuccessful runs in Sydney during the autumn carnival, he was taking to Queensland and, as 6/4 favourite, comfortably won the G3 Gunsynd Classic (1600m). Judging by his two runs back since that win, he’ll be on the first float back to Queensland. He’s failed to make an impression in either a BM 90 or, at his latest start, the Cameron Handicap when tenth of sixteen.
10. ASHOKAN – T Clark (10)
Transferred from John O’Shea to Gai Waterhouse earlier this year but in five runs thus far, Gai hasn’t been able to help the More Than Ready galloper add to his solitary win. He had a lovely trail when resuming in a BM 85 at Randwick but couldn’t catch the speedy That’s A Good Idea, and only held his ground to run ffith before. At his next and most recent start when leading in the G3 Bill Ritchie, proved no match late for winner Boban and finished fourth. Will shoot across again from his wide draw but, as he did last start, will find the final 100m too testing.
11. HOSTING – G Schofield (6)
He took his record to three wins from six starts by claiming a BM 80 (1400m) here at Rosehill a fortnight ago for trainer Greg Eurell. He sat on the leader’s back and had to wait for a run to come but when it did, as he has displayed previously, he produced a neat turn of foot to register a comfortable ¾ win over Twisted Emotions and Windswept. Should get a nice trail again from this draw and drops nicely in weight (57kgs – 53kgs).
12. OUR DESERT WARRIOR – T Berry (5)
The half to Desert War and Laser Hawk, this 4yo has indicated that he may be headed in the same successful direction as his older siblings by posting two good wins together since resuming from a spell. He claimed a Restricted race at Canterbury (1500m) first up before registering a strong all the way win under 59kgs at Warwick Farm (1600m) a little over two weeks ago. Drops to 53kgs and third up, will be fit enough to ensure a solid speed here. Still on the improve and kept very safe in early markets at $6.50.
OVERVIEW
Waterhouse pair of Ashokan and Our Desert Warrior to be leading here and, with Rain Drum, Monton and High Esteem also handy, the pace here should be a genuine one. That plays into the hands of ruling favourite Your Honour. He was very good over the last 100m of the Theo Marks and the 1500m third up is ideal. Likewise, stable-mate Hosting should be able to stalk the speed and we’ve already seen his ability to produce a good sprint when presented. Hoylonny ($9.00) the one at value for mine here. He has been tuned up nicely with two trails and provided he gets a touch of luck from an inside draw, will be finishing hard.
- YOUR HONOUR
- HIGH ESTEEM
- HOSTING
- HOYLONNY