The fifth race on the card is for the Sprinters and sees the return of former smart New Zealander galloper, Rock ‘n’ Pop ($4.60) Also lining up for a return to racing will be well performed pair, Izababe and Soledad who are $13.00 and $5.00 respectively.
1. WILY JIMMY – R Quinn (10)
The seven year old from Guy Walter’s yard lines up for this race first up off a fourteen month break. When last in work he did run fourth in the G1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) and second to Somepin Anypin in the G3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m). First up, wide draw, big weight, safe to say he’ll need this one at least.
Odds: $41.00
2. ROCK ‘N’ POP – J McDonald (2)
Former NZ’er galloper who after running eighth in the G1 Rosehill Guineas behind Laser Hawk in March of this year, joined the Gai Waterhouse stable. Since, has only had the one start and that was when he finished second to last behind Pinwheel in the G2 Warwick Stakes in August. He’s had two barrier trials in readiness for his return, winning one and running second to Driefontein in the other.
Odds: $4.60
3. ZARATONE – K O’Hara (1)
Showed some return to form last start after two poor showings, with a nose second in the Listed Carrington Stakes (1100m) to No Looking Back. Drawn to go straight to the front again and although this is his first start on the Gosford circuit, it should suit his style of racing. As it always is over 1200m, the last 100m will be the query.
Odds: $4.80
4. UATE – J Bowman (9)
He registered a good win three starts back at a Canterbury night meeting carrying 58.5kgs before a nose second to Irish Jig. Last start he had no luck from his wide barrier and was forced to race three wide before weakening to run eleventh of thirteen (beaten 6.4) behind Samui Lad in a BM 90. Given three weeks to get over that run but unfortunately for connections, has drawn poorly again.
Odds: $7.50
5. IZABABE – C Reith (7)
This will be his first start since running second to Winning Glory at Rosehill back June of last year which followed a second to Raspberries in the Listed Scone Cup. He has won two of four first up runs and also among them, was a fourth (beaten 2.1 lengths) to Skytrain in the Listed Show County when first up off a nine month spell.
Odds: $13.00
6. SOLEDAD – K McEvoy (4)
A Darley runner who continued to build on his consistent career by recording two wins and three placings from five starts last prep, with his last run being a nose second to Thumbtacks in a BM 95 (1500m). Has had his customary quite trial leading into this and ran third when first up last prep to Choice Words and Malavio. Drawn to get every chance and will be right in the thick if things.
Odds: $5.00
7. TESTARHYTHM – B Shinn (4)
Lobbed in the one/one last start and recorded a nose victory over Zedlion in a BM 85 at Canterbury Saturday meeting last start. This will be his sixth start since September so will have fitness on most of his rivals and whilst he’ll give a good account of himself, can’t see him winning this grade.
Odds: $11.00
8. KAYPERS – J Collett (6)
He enjoyed a very successful winter campaign that netted him three city wins from seven starts. First up, had no luck from a wide barrier and his jockey was never really able to wound him up – he finished second to last but only 3.6 lengths behind Mighty Obvious. Should’ve finished much close first up, drops to 54kgs from 57kgs and will be finishing harder then most.
Odds: $31.00
9. MARONEY AVENUE – R Thompson (5)
Came to the city after having won six from six on the Country/Provincial circuits but found the step up in class a bit too much and finished last (beaten 4 ¼ ) lengths behind No Looking Back in the Carrington Stakes. Better suited here but would still like to see him win a race of this calibre before backing him to do so.
Odds: $4.20
10. ORTHIE’S GEM – T Berry (3)
6yo by More Than Ready who has only had the one start since finishing last in the G3 Kingston Town Stakes in September ’11, and that was an eighth of twelve (beaten 4.8 lengths) in a Warwick Farm BM 80 in January. He’s had three barrier trials in preparation for his coming back, winning the most recent but it’ll be a big effort both by trainer and horse to pull this off.
Odds: $81.00
OVERVIEW
Zaratone leads and on his hammer will be Soledad. He, Soledad, doesn’t know how to run a bad race and I doubt this race will be any different. Drawn well and should be able to get a nice sit off Zaratone throughout. Rock’n’Pop was 3/1 when contesting the G2 Warwick Stakes and think he showed enough in the trials to take serious note of the $4.60 on offer. One for the trifecta and multiple players here could be Kaypers @ $31.00. No luck last start and second up, will be finishing well.