Standish Handicap 2014 – Tips

Run over the 1200m straight course, the feature race of the New Year’s Day meeting at Flemington this Wednesday is the Group 3 Standish Handicap. Despite the relative small field, early markets suggest it will be a competitive race with the early favourite being Essay Raider ($4.20) who just shades Decircles ($4.50). Both horses, strong last start winners. A further five runners are quoted at $11.00 or shorter.

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Standish Handicap Form Guide

1. ETHIOPIA – R McLeod (8) 59kgs

The 5yo’s last start was in this year’s Melbourne Cup (3200m) where he ran a commendable seventh behind Fiorente. This is the first time he has competed in a race less than a mile and he’ll simply find them too slick.

Sea Lord winning Group 2 at Moonee Valley - photo by Race Horse Photos Australia (Steven Dowden)
Sea Lord winning Group 2 at Moonee Valley – photo by Race Horse Photos Australia (Steven Dowden)

 

2. SEA LORD – S Baster (1) 54kgs

After two plain performances in Listed races at Caulfield, the 6yo Street Cry gelding went within a lip of causing a huge upset as a 50/1 shot in the Listed Mss Security Stakes here at Flemington on Cup Day behind Richie’s Vibe – who has been good since. It was his third run up the Flemington straight and all have been good. The inside draw, 54kgs and a bit of a freshen-up should all be of benefit to him.

 

3. ADDICTION TO ROCK – C Schofield (2) 54kgs

One of three South Australian visitors lining up here, the Will Clarken trained 6yo comes off an outstanding win in the Listed City of Marion Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville. Settling at the tail in the field of sixteen runners, the son of Rock Of Gibraltar flew late to win by a comfortable 1 ¼ lengths on the line, defeating Essay Raider in the process. Meets that horse better again at the weights and even though it is his first look at the straight course which can pose problems for some, with a solid speed up front, he could again be finishing hard and at $9.00, cannot be ignored.

 

4. BY THE WAY – D Lane (3) 54kgs

Despite running fifth first up in the Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in October, the 8yo put in the run of the race after having no luck at all in the straight and finishing within ¾ length of British General. His only start since has been another good effort when closing from well back in the field – in a race dominated by the leader and eventual winner Longport, in a 1400m race on Stakes Day. Two very good efforts in smart races over the spring and goes well here at Flemington.

 

5. CASCABEL – C Newitt (6) 54kgs

As an 8/1 chance, this Robbie Griffiths trained galloper ran second to Catapult in this race last year. Fair to say his form twelve months ago was a lot more promising that his recent effort which consist of a last of twelve to Flamberge and an eighth of eleven to Decircles. Newitt is a plus but maybe not enough to see him make the turnaround required.

 

6. DECIRCLES – G Boss (4) 54kgs

Got shuffled back at a crucial stage two starts ago before running fifth (2.2 lengths) behind Flamberge when carrying 57kgs in a BM 90 (1100m) race. Very well supported when next stepping out at his most recent start and took no chances this time, leading all the way to record a ¾ length win over Morant in a 1200m Open class. That victory made it two from three this track/trip and drawing gate four will give Boss the option of again taking up the role of pace-maker or, taking a sit behind the speed if required. Either way, the Danny O’Brien representative will be hard to beat.

 

7. ESSAY RAIDER – C Lindop (7) 54kgs

Made it two wins from his past three starts with a strong length win over 1100m in a Morphettville Fly Handicap, defeating Whitlam and Belfast Boy. The start prior was a second placing to Addiction To Rock at Listed level and his trainer Leon McDonald is very rarely far from the money when he brings his charges across form South Australia. Only previous start at this track was a very respectable seventh (3.1 lengths) behind Fontelina and Spirit of Boom in the Yellowglen Stakes on Derby Day.

 

8. MORANT – C Symons (10) 54kgs

Made up good ground two starts ago when, racing over this track and trip, he ran second to Decircles (3/4 lengths) before lining up in the Listed Christmas Stakes on Boxing Day. As per usual, the 7yo dropped out to the tail and was produced to make his run as the field swung for home. He ran eighth (3.3 lengths) behind winner Karacatis who dictated from the front. It has been over two years now since his last win and whilst you’d concede him a chance on his start two runs back, does need his races to pan out favourable for him.

 

9. SOLSAY – (9) 54kgs

Losing a plate proved costly when, two starts ago, the Mick Kent galloper ran a head second to in-form Don’t Get Excited in a RST 84 (1200m) race at Caulfield. The 6yo then stepped out on Boxing Day in the Listed Christman Stakes (1200m) as a 10/1 shot and, after settling in a nice spot just behind the lead, never gave up trying to run the leader and eventual winner Karacatis down, finishing a long neck away in fourth. Draw makes it awkward and whilst last start was good, still not proven at this level as yet.

 

10. BELFAST BOY – (11) 54kgs

Resumed from a 21 week spell with a fifth behind Kosciuszko’s Side over 1050 and backed that up with a better effort, running third (2 lengths) behind Essay Raider and Whitlam. Third up last prep made the trip from South Australia to Flemington for the Listed Vic Sprint (1200m) and finished fifth (2 ¾ lengths) behind Riziz. Won’t find it easy finding a good spot in the run after having drawn the outside gate and may need to give them too much start.

 

11. FLAMBERGE – V Duric (5) 54kgs

Despite having had no trial and not having raced for seven months, the Peter Moody trained son of Exceed and Excel stepped out at Caulfield two starts back as the 2/1 favourite and duly saluted, defeating Infinite Energy by ¾ length over 1100m. Drew wide on the track at his next start, a RST 84 handicap over 1000m here at Flemington carrying 57.5kgs and ran fifth (3 ¾ lengths) behind Kaiser Sun as the 11/8 favourite. Second up run last prep was a little flat as well but at his third run back, bounced straight back to run second in the Mss Security Stakes (1100m) this track. The weight relief, third up and a favourable draw, all read well.

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RACE OVERVIEW

As the market suggests, this is a tricky race and it may pay to shop for some value. Given the style of his last start win, the fact that it was over the current favourite for this race whom he now meets better again at the weights, the price discrepancy between Essay Raider and Addiction To Rack ($9) attracts attention. It is Addiction To Rock’s first go up the straight and only second trip outside of his home-state however, fancy the race may be run to suit with a strong tempo up front. Likewise, All The Way ($11) should be finishing hard and his two runs over the carnival were very strong. Flamberge and Essay Raider round out selections.

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