First of three Group 1 races at Randwick on Saturday is for the 2yo’s and the Sires Produce Stakes. We see several backing up of from last weekend’s Golden Slipper including winner and race favourite, Overreach ($1.60) The fillies dominate the market with Florid Affair on the second and Guelph and Villa Verde together on the third lines of betting.
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Sires Produce Stakes Form Guide
1. CHARLIE BOY – G Schofield (2)
He resumed after winning his debut in November last year, with a good third in the Silver Slipper behind Sweet Idea before being ridden upside down in the G2 Todman Stakes and finishing fourth (beaten 2.9 lengths). Drew wide in the Slipper last week, got back and didn’t have a great deal of luck or room in the run home before finishing the last 100m off to secure eighth (beaten 6.2). Gets out to the 1400m and has always given the indication that would suit.
2. CHAMPOLLION – (8)
Broke his maiden status in good style last start, closing from well back in the field to record a head win in the G3 The Schweppes Stakes (1400m) on a Slow track. His Two runs on rain affected ground have been his best thus far – the other being a third behind Good Job Bro and Calming Influence.
3. WINDJAMMER – (5)
Made good ground two starts back when finishing fourth behind Criterion and Fast ‘n’ Rocking in the G2 Todman Stakes (both runners subsequently good in the Slipper) The son of Bernardini then lined up in the Slipper and was three wide with cover in transit and had his chance in the straight. That was his first look at a Slow track and would be more inclined to go with the Todman effort.
4. HAVANA – C Williams (4)
Disappointing on debut in a Warwick Farm Open, when well supported but that didn’t deter trainer Paul Messara from backing up the Starcraft colt in the G2 Todman Stakes. He was three back the fence turning and at second start, might’ve been a bit gun-shy in taking some runs between horses but finished well for third (beaten 2 ¾). He will be better for recent experience, drawn well and top jockey onboard.
5. SO MAN UP – L Nolen (10)
As Peter Moody often does, this well bred son of High Chaparral was taken to Cranbourne for his debut and, duly saluted in Maiden company over 1000m just on two weeks ago. He closed from well back in the field on debut and that effort, his breeding suggests and the fact that trainer has travelled up for this, that he is a capable type.
6. DRAGO – J Bowman (12)
A son of Danehill Dancer who made his debut in the G2 Pago Pago and settled at the tail of the field before doing his best work late, in restricted room, to finish within five lengths of Sidestep (2nd in the Slipper last week). Can only be better for that run and whilst no tipping him to win, think he’s capable of beating more home than not.
7. OVERREACH – T Berry (6)
She gave connections and backers, little cause for concern last week in the Slipper. Settling on the leader’s back in the run, once she secured the inside run, she displayed that turn-of-foot that saw her claim the Listed Widden Stakes and G2 Moet and Chandon prior to the slipper. Her trainer Gai Waterhouse has won this race six times in the last ten years including with Hasna, for same owners as Overreach. Can’t go past her here.
8. GUELPH – (13)
She won the fillies Blue Diamond Prelude before drawing wide in the Blue Diamond and finished ninth behind Miracles of Life. Trainer Paul Snowden then didn’t start the daughter of Exceed and Excel (her dam Camirilla won this race in 2007) until last week’s Golden Slipper, some six week break, where she produced a fantastic effort to finish fourth. Ran home well picking runs through the field and can only be better for the run.
9. VILLA VERDE – M Rodd (9)
Won the Listed Debutante Stakes (defeating Overreach) and 7News Plate in the Spring before being spelled and returning in the G2 Moet and Chandon Stakes, where she met Overreach who accounted for her by 4 ¼ lengths. In last week’s Slipper, she drew wide (15) and settled close to the tail of the field but, despite working home well in the straight to finish seventh (beaten 5 lengths), the bird had flown Will have to run down Overreach again but couldn’t see it being a case of third time lucky.
10. SCANDIVA – P Robl (7)
Closely related to Black Caviar, this Fastnet Rock filly is improving with each run, the latest of which was a tough all the way win in the G2 Magic Night Stakes, were she narrowly prevailed over Shadad. Takes another step up again today and meets, for this first time, the cream of the crop. Suspect she’ll lead but will have plenty of challengers to hold off late.
11. SHAHAD – J McDonald (11)
Another well bred daughter of Fastnet Rock who made her debut last October in the Listed Gimcrack and finished off well to run third behind Brilliant Bisc and Guelph. Spelled and resumed in the G2 Silver Shadow but didn’t appreciate the Heavy track and finished well down the track before a much better effort, on a drier surface, where she closed form well back to be out-bobbed by Scandiva. The 1400m looks ideal and, provided we have a good track, will be doing her best work late.
12. THUMP – C Newitt (1)
Good effort two starts back where, settling midfield, she closed gamely to finish second to Romantic Moon in the G3 Sweet Embrace. Thought she’d settle close last start from a good draw in the Magic Night Stakes but got back closer to last before getting home fairly to finish sixth (beaten 2.2 lengths) behind Scandiva. I would like to see her be ridden closer to the speed today and she gets the chance from the inside draw but not on her latest efforts.
13. FLORID AFFAIR – J Cassidy (3)
Sebring filly who, surprisingly, has been brought along quietly by her trainer Gai Waterhouse with only two starts to date, both in Maiden company. She caught the eye on debut finishing hard for third to Scandiva before controlling the race from the front at her next and latest start and running away to score by 4 ¾ lengths. Only getting better and appears to have plenty of raw ability.
OVERVIEW
Would be expecting Scandiva to come across from gate ten to lead with the favourite from six, on her outside and it’s Overreach’s acceleration that puts her opposition to the sword but, not that well off that I can take the $1.60 and will be looking at the multiples. Outside the favourite, think this a very open affair and we might see some runners improve sharply here at the 1400m. I’ll be sticking Guelph and Shahad in and whilst the fillies seem to have it well and truly over the males, think Charlie Boy and Havana are the best of the males.