Having won the Listed Winter Cup (2400m) earlier this year, Joe Pride’s Destiny’s Kiss will attempt to add another seasonal trophy to his collection this Boxing Day when Randwick hosts the G3 Summer Cup (2000m). The 5yo has had three runs back this preparation with each giving the indication that the step up to 2000m is exactly what he requires. He is on the third line betting behind top-weight and impressive last-start winner Travolta $3.80 with promising Solemn at $4.60.
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1. TRAVOLTA – A Hyeronimus (3) 59kgs
Slowly away and from the tail of the field over the unsuitable trip of 1350m, he was never in the hunt first up at Rosehill two starts back and finished eighth in the Open class race. His trainer Gai Waterhouse didn’t hesitate to step the 5yo up in both trip and class at his next start, the Listed Atc Cup (2000m) where, leading from the front and setting a favourable tempo, he dictated his rivals to win by a comfortable 2 ¼ lengths. Drawn to take up the same role here but does rise to 59kgs (carried 56kgs last start).
2. HOYLONNY – P Robl (9) 58kgs
Been racing in good style recently and after winning a Open class race (1900m) after returning from a month off, has been placed in both the Listed Atc Cup (2000m) and last start, this Listed Christmas Cup (2400m). He has had to come off a slow pace at his last two starts and has performed well under the circumstances of each race. The return to 2000m should pose no problem and represents a good each-way chance at $9.00.
3. DESTINY’S KISS – C Reith (13) 57.5kgs
Got back to near last and was going his best work late two starts ago in the Listed Festival Stakes (1500m) when seventh (4.9 lengths) behind White Sage before railing home well in the G3 Villiers Stakes (1550m) last start, finishing 2.6 lengths behind Ninth Legion. The step up to 2000m is ideal and it was at this stage last prep, his fourth run in, that he really started to hit his straps. Will have to get them all a start again but the 2000m on the bigger course proper, will give him his opportunity to run them down.
4. MONTON – J McDonald (12) 57kgs
Lined up in the Listed Festival Stakes (1500m) off an eight week spell and, after a securing a nice run in transit and ominously peeling out at the top of the straight, was unable to better his position in the run home and finished eighth behind White Sage. From an inside gate he again secured a lovely run in his next and most recent start, the G2 Villiers Stakes (1550m) and with the benefit of his previous run, boxed on better this time and held on for fourth behind Ninth Legion. Will need some luck from this gate though and it has been a long time since the 7yo has won a race – December 2011.
5. MIDSUMMER SUN – G Schofield (1) 56kgs
Former imported galloper who impressed in winning at his first two Australian starts for trainer Sam Kavanagh earlier this year and was immediately shipped to Queensland to contest the G3 Premier’s Cup (2200m) and G2 Brisbane Cup (2400m). Despite starting favourite in the Premier’s Cup, the 6yo by Monsun finished a well beaten thirteenth and faired no better in the Brisbane Cup, running twelfth. Spelled, he returned with a good run over the unsuitable 1400m at Randwick before hitting the line in very good style behind Salon Soldier in the Listed Visit Victoria Stakes (1800m), beaten a length. His next and most recent start, which is almost seven weeks ago now, was a fourth in the G2 Zipping Classic (2400m) behind in-form Sertorius. Might’ve got to that that distance a little quickly and would expect a better effort back to the 2000m.
6. SCREAM MACHINE – K O’Hara (5) 56kgs
Flashed home two starts ago where, as the 5/2 favourite, he ran ¾ length fourth in the Goulburn Cup (1600m) before taking his place in the G2 Villiers Stakes (1550m). The 5yo got back in a race and on a track that didn’t lend itself to that racing pattern but he did well all the same, in restricted room in the straight, to run ninth (3.3 lengths) behind Ninth Legion. Step up to 2000m will be a plus but his last couple of effort over this trip have been good (Wagga Gold Cup – Listed) but this is a stronger grade again.
7. SYSMO – R Thompson (10) 55.5kgs
Opened up in early markets as the joint favourite for the G2 Villiers Stakes a fortnight ago at $6.00 but continued to drift and by race time, was a $10 quote. The Tony McEvoy trained runner was caught wide in the run but did well to run eighth (3.2 lengths) behind Ninth Legion. His two previous efforts over this trip have come on heavy tracks with the pick of those runs being his third to Quintessential in the G3 Chairman’s Handicap in Brisbane earlier this year. From a wide gate and in a race of good depth, would be happy to risk him again.
8. I’M IMPOSING – B Shinn (8) 55kgs
The 8yo ran some nice races in good staying races early this spring including a second to Julienas in the G3 Colin Stephen (2400m). However, he comes into this race having only one outing since resuming from a seven week spell which resulted in a eighth of twelfth over (1400m). Facing a tough task off of unorthodox preparation.
9. COURT CONNECTION – N Berry (7) 54.5kgs
The 7yo by Lonhro from Danny Williams’ Goulburn stables has had two races since he resumed from a six month spell and, as expected, was easily accounted for in both events. They were in races far too short for the stayer and whilst the step up to 2000m will no doubt be much more to his liking, the class should see still see him struggle.
10. FROZEN ROPE – B Avdulla (6) 54kgs
The Adam Durrant trained runner was in a purple patch of form last time in but since returning from a spell in October, the 6yo has struggled to recapture anything close to that standard. After running fifth of eight in an Open class race (1900m) he finished second to last in the Atc Cup (2000m) and near on ten lengths from the winner, Travolta. Not going well enough.
11. POSTE RESTANTE – SCRATCHED
12. SOLEMN – K McEvoy (2) 54kgs
The 4yo son of Bernardini hasn’t put a foot wrong in three starts back from a six month spell, winning the latest two outings in good style. He was afforded a nice run in transit before winning a BM 85 (1550m) by ¾ length before again getting a good run and last shot, scoring a long neck win over Index Linked again in a BM 85 race. Faces his toughest test here and drawn to be given his chance again. The Darley runner has been kept very safe in markets at $4.60 and at that price would be happy to go with a more proven performer at this level.
13. ZOOMANIA – J Ford (4)
The well bred daughter of Zabeel tried to lead all the way in the G2 Energy Stakes (2000m) on Stakes Day before running 2.9 lengths behind Girl Gone Rockin’. Again, she took up the front running role but against weaker company in a BM 84 (2040m), at Moonee Valley, she was able to hold off all challengers at bay and win by 1 ¼ lengths. Will lead or sit on the speed again here but will think she’ll find at least a few too good for her over the final stages.
RACE OVERVIEW
Travolta leads or sits second; depending on how keen Zoomania is to take up the lead position. Either way and, despite the 59kgs, he’ll be hard to run down. Destiny’s Kiss is peaking at the right time for this race and poses the biggest threat. Drawn wide will mean he’ll be given most a start here and depending on the tempo, he may have to take matters into his own hands and force the issue some distance out from home but as shown in staying races earlier this year, he is a capable galloper. Hoylonny is going well but like Destiny’s Kiss, will not want to get too far back or leave making his run too late. He’s fit and with his last run being over 2400m, no reason why he couldn’t put the pressure on early if he needs to. Scream Machine and Midsummer Sun to round out placings.
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1. TRAVOLTA
2. DESTINY’S KISS
3. HOYLONNY
4. SCREAM MACHINE
