1. MONTON
Excellent two runs back off a nine week spell when a half length second to Malavio in the Listed Festival Stakes before having every chance in the run last week in the Villiers but only held his ground in the run home to finish 2.4 lengths behind All Legal. Drawn well so expect him to be prominent again but takes on this trip for the first time which will be a query.
Odds: $6.50
2. KINNERSLEY
Good effort two starts back under 59kgs to win the Goulburn Cup, defeating Scream Machine and Alma’s Fury – both whom have ran very well since. Was a month between that run and his latest effort in last week’s Villiers, where he got caught in traffic and finished 2.7 lengths from All Legal. He’ll be better for that run and did win the Listed Lord Mayor’s Cup this track/distance in May.
Odds: $6.50
3. DARCI BE GOOD
He won the G3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup three starts back with a tough effort before finishing 2.5 lengths behind Malavio in the Listed Festival Stakes. Draw wide in the Villiers but went forward and stuck on well to finish third (beaten less than a length) last week behind two in-form gallopers. In good form and if he can find a spot from another awkward draw, he would have to be included.
Odds: $5.50
4. SHOUT OUT LOUD
Good winner of a Caulfield Open class race two starts back and that encouraged his Trainer Peter Moody, to have a dip at last week’s Villiers. From the inside draw, he raced handy to the speed but wound up finishing second to last. Drawn second to widest today and coupled with last week’s run, couldn’t have him in amongst the chances.
Odds: $26.00
5. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Stable-mate to Shout Out Loud who made good ground late in last week’s Villiers, finishing 1 ½ length from the winner. This trip fourth up looks ideal for him and this was the case last preparation when as a 3yo, he claimed the G2 Alister Clark Stakes defeating Ethiopia. Can’t be overlooked.
Odds: $4.20
6. SHADOWS IN THE SUN
Went within a whisker of landing a good plunge first up, three starts back but his two subsequent runs, in better grade, have seen him finish second to last in the Festival Stakes and eighth in the Villiers. He’s only won three of his twenty six starts and one of his last fifteen, can’t include him.
Odds: $7.50
7. MORIARTY
Won his first three runs back this prep but as he has stepped up in distance at his last four outings, appears to be struggling to see out the extra trip. He had every chance when third to Fuimicino two starts back in the ATC Cup (2400m) before finishing close to ten lengths behind the in-form Cantonese last start in the Christmas Cup. Not on those two efforts.
Odds: $11.00
8. RACING HEART
Finish last in the Festival Stakes when first up off a ten week let-up before finishing second to last and four lengths behind All Legal in last week’s Villiers. The step up in distance will help but has he has been previously in this class, should be safely held.
Odds: $51.00
9. CHARING CROSS
Felt the 60kgs late when second up behind Bay Window (1500m) then a month between runs before, at his latest start, finishing sixth to Scream Machine in a BM 90. Probably needed last start and he drops down to a comfortable weight of 54kgs, at $16.00, he is capable of a cheeky effort.
Odds: $16.00
10. ANGELUS
She recorded her fourth career win last start with a strong two length win in a BM 79 race. Only drops a kilo on that run but rises substantially in grade here and, whilst improving, think she’ll run into a few here that will be too good for her.
Odds: $8.00
11. CENSOR
Second up this preparation closed well from the tail of the field and finished fourth (beaten 1.1 lengths) behind Circle of Power and expected more from him last start than his seventh of eleven behind Scream Machine (beaten 4.3 lengths). The improvement he would have to make on his last start should be beyond him.
Odds: $51.00
SUMMARY
Expect some early speed from runners drawn wide here, Kinnersley, and Darci Be Good with Racing Heart to go forward as well. Hoping Darci Be Good can get a spot in behind them today. He’s had to do a bit of work from wide draws his last two starts and with a softer a run, he’ll be very hard to beat. Liked the run of Highly Recommended last start but believe he goes better with some cut out of the track – so keep on eye on the radar. One at value may be Charing Cross ($16.00)
