Next, it’s on to the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (Race 8) over 1200m where the flashing grey Chautauqua will attempt to create history as the only three-time winner of this race.
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The stable’s decision to try him over 1500m in the George Ryder produced a mixed return after he ran on into third place behind the incomparable Winx and he’s surely going to be better suited dropping back to the 1200m here.
For us, its hard to knock a horse who has won five Group 1’s and been consistently around the mark in Australia’s best sprinting races.
But we just feel his best days might be behind him and we’ll be looking to take him on this weekend.
Second pick Astern enters this first-up after a string of niggles prevented him from kick starting his autumn preparation any earlier.
We have plenty of respect for what this horse has done and he has had a couple of trials, however with the camp already talking about the All Aged Stakes in a fortnight’s time as his major goal, we suspect he’ll be a little bit short of his best here.
Instead, we’re keen on the chances of Russian Revolution, who landed some nice bets when capturing his first major in The Galaxy.
Three wide for much of the journey, the colt showed great tenacity to eventually overhaul Redzel and Jungle Edge in the shadows of the post and despite a sizeable climb in weight here under WFA conditions, we feel this colt is something special.
He has been easily the best-backed runner with us in early betting and may even start favourite if the deluge of support continues.
Of the others, Spieth appeared to have every chance when beaten by more than three lengths as favourite in The Newmarket and would need to improve off that run to be a winning chance here.
Malaguerra has had more than six weeks between runs but has a phenomenal record over the six furlongs and has to be respected.
While Japonisme was another horse we felt might show up at a huge price, he hasn’t won for a while now but worked home pretty well in the William Reid and might be one to consider for your exotics.
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Tips:
- Russian Revolution
- Astern
- Spieth
- Malaguerra
