The feature race of the day signals that all is starting to get serious in the lead up to the Melbourne Cup, a month away. Green Moon won this race last year for Lloyd Williams on his way to the winning the Melbourne Cup and this year, Williams, who also won the race in 2009 with Efficient and 2010 with Zipping, will be represented by Fawkner ($13 into $10). A full field of sixteen plus four emergencies are taking part in what is the best race of the spring thus far. Only four runners are in single figure odds, those being Fiorente ($4.60), Puissance De Lune ($4.00), Royal Descent ($5.50) and Super Cool ($9.00).
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1. MANIGHAR – L Nolen (18)
Returned to racing after a respectable winter campaign with a pleasing sixth (beaten 3 ½ lengths) behind Foreteller in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m). The Peter Moody trained runner than was afforded a sweet run behind a moderate tempo in the Underwood Stakes (1800m) and stuck on well to run 1 ¾ length fifth behind It’s A Dundeel and Atlantic Jewel. Will not be afforded a sweet run from his draw here though.
2. SANGSTER – N Callow (12)
New Zealand galloper who claimed the VRC Derby as a 3yo and who has gone on to forge a very strong staying career which includes a comprehensive 3 ¼ length victory in this year’s Auckland Cup (3200m) and a third behind Fiveandahalfstar in The BMW (2400m). He was third up when sent out a 66/1 chance in the Dato’tan Chin Nam and after settling on the speed, stuck on soundly to finish sixth, within two lengths of winner Fiorente. The step up to 2000m helps but he may need even longer again.
3. HAPPY TRIALS – D Dunn (6)
Had his chance when second up in the G1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) when seventh (beaten 3 ½ lengths) behind Atlantic Jewel and again, was afforded every opportunity in the run when fourth (1.1 lengths) behind It’s A Dundeel in the Underwood Stakes. Will get his opportunity again from a good draw and ran fifth in this race last year after winning the Dato’tan Chin Nam (1600m). The 1800m of last start will prep him for a better effort this year however this trip, over which he has had four starts for two placings, tends to find him out late.
4. SUPER COOL – M Rodd (9)
The Group 1 Australian Cup winner from earlier this year returned to racing with a slashing third behind Atlantic Jewel in the G1 Memsie Stakes (1400m). Off of that effort he stepped out the 13/8 favourite for the G2 Dato’tan Chin Nam (1600m) but found himself in traffic and off the bit heading into the turn and only when in clear room late, did he start to pick up and close well, finishing fourth and only a half length from winner Fiorente. Back to the roomier Flemington will suit and this trip third up is ideal.
5. HAWKSPUR – M Walker (19)
The Chris Waller trained runner blossomed late in the 3yo season in Queensland taking out the Rough Habit, Grand Prix and G1 QLD Derby in consecutive starts. He returned to racing with a fast finishing seventh (beaten 2.6 lengths) behind Veyron in the Warwick Stakes before claiming the G2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) by 3 ¼ lengths in impressive style. He stayed at the mile distance at his next and most recent start, the G1 George Main Stakes. He got back in a race that suited those closer to the speed and was only able to make ground in the last 100m. The step up to 2000m will assist but the draw certainly won’t.
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6. FIORENTE – N Rawiller (14)
First Australian run for this former Italian galloper was a second to Green Moon in last year’s Melbourne Cup. Since then, the 6yo by Monsun has impressed with each of his three runs and none more so then his stunning last start victory in the G2 Dato’tan Chin Nam (1600m). From worse than mid-field, he flew late to score a head victory on the line. Would think that Flemington and the 2000m are even more to his liking and there’s no reason, given his form in Australia, to leave him out here.
7. PUISSANCE DE LUNE – G Boss (1)
He commenced this campaign with an impressive ¾ win in the G2 P B Lawrence (1400m) which further enhanced his position as early favourite for this year’s Cup. He then stepped out in the Makybe Diva Stakes and second up, just didn’t have the same ‘ping’ about him but was good nevertheless, only being grabbed by Foreteller on the line. From a poor draw, at his most recent start, he got a long way back in a race that wasn’t run to suit and was never capable of catching It’s A Dundeel in the Underwood Stakes. Gets a much better gate her and can easily bounce back to the form he displayed this time last year. Would think, bar bad luck in running, he has no excuses not to run well but interestingly has drifted in early better ($3.20 – $4.00).
8. GLENCADAM GOLD – V Duric (15)
Retuned to racing after a brief and poor autumn campaign with a good effort over the unsuitable 1600m of the Chelmsford Stakes, finishing inside of six lengths of winner Hawkspur. He next stepped out in the G2 Hill Stakes and took up his customary role of pace-maker and showed great fight late, beating all bar Moriarty (entered in G1 Metropolitan at Randwick) home. He’ll be fitter again for that run but will have to get away cleanly if he’s too lead.
9. TUSCAN FIRE – L Currie (20)
Honest 7yo who has taken on some of the best going around in his recent starts. He finished five lengths behind Foreteller in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) and was another who got too far back in the Naturalism Stakes, dominated by leader Mr. O’Ceirin. Unfortunately, from the widest gate, he’ll get too far back again and will be better suited in something a couple of grades lower than here.
10. SILENT ACHIEVER – S Arnold (13)
New Zealand mare whose only win in ten Australia starts has been in the G2 Crystal Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley last year. However, she has been placed at Group 1 level in Oz and has been very good in both runs back from a spell. She had no luck at all resuming in the G1 Memsie Stakes (eleventh) before finding a nice spot in the run but not being able to run down It’s A Dundeel and Atlantic Jewel, when sixth (beaten 2.2 lengths) in the Underwood Stakes (1800m). Third up last prep ran fifth to Foreteller in the Ranvet Stakes (2000m) and would think she’ll struggle to better than here from a poor draw.
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11. FAWKNER – N Hall (8)
This son of Reset loves Flemington, having won five of eight starts here and running second twice including a nose second to Happy Trails in last year’s G1 Emirates Stakes (1600m) He made good ground late resuming in the G3 Tramway Stakes (58kgs) and was good again late, when fifth to Streama in the G1 George Main Stakes (1600m) That run suggests he’d be ready to produce his best now and he gets down nicely in the weights here – 55.5kgs. Has been met with early supported in betting.
12. MR. O’CEIRIN – M Zahra (10)
Booked himself a spot in this year’s Caulfield Cup with an all the way in the G3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield last start. From a wide gate he led and was able to get away with very cheap sectionals in front. Would imagine he’ll not get away with that again here but that being said, he’s an emerging staying that has won ten of his twenty six starts and is more then capable of sticking on.
13. JET AWAY – (3)
David Hayes trains this former European galloper who we only seen race in Australian twice – for two very impressive victories. He won the Golden Mile (1600m) at Bendigo first up off a seven month spell and backed that up with an impressive head win in the G3 Easter Cup (2000m) at Caulfield. On both occasions, the 7yo by Cape Cross, finished hard from the tail of the field. He’s picked the very deep end of the pool to jump into here first up and would prefer to see him go around.
14. DEAR DEMI – C Williams (2)
Fantastic mare who won the VRC Oaks last year and has picked up the G2 Surround Stakes and G3 The Roses since. She has been brilliant in two runs back from a brief let-up, finishing hard from the tail of the field in the G2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) behind Commanding Jewel (seventh 2 ½ lengths) before at her most recent start, finding the box seat in the run from a good draw and claiming third in the G1 Underwood Stakes (1800m). Very rarely runs a bad race and like she did last time, will find a good spot from her draw however, the pace will be far more genuine here than that in the Underwood and the challenges will be coming hard late.
15. QUINTESSENTIAL – D Browne (17)
Winner of the G2 Eagle Farm Cup (defeating Manighar and Moriarty) last prep during a successful Brisbane campaign and who returned to racing with an eye-catching effort behind Commanding Jewel in the G2 Let’s Elope Stakes (fifth, beaten 2.1 lengths) She then lined up in the G3 Naturalism Stakes, settled midfield but in a race dominated by the leader, she could only hold her spot in the run to the line, finishing fifth (beaten 4 lengths) behind Mr. O’Ceirin. Fancy she’s going well but from her draw, may have to do too much to be winning against this quality field.
16. ROYAL DESCENT – C Newitt (4)
4yo mare by Redoute’s Choice who seems to get better with every race start she has. After claiming the ATC Oaks by ten lengths earlier this year, the Chris Waller trained mare has returned with three sterling efforts in the G3 Toy Show Quality, G3 Tramway Stakes and at her most recent start, went within a head of winning the G1 George Main Stakes when second to Streama. Can’t knock her form and her last start effort has her well placed here. From a good gate she should be placed to advantage throughout and Newitt/Waller teamed up a few weeks back to claim the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes with Foreteller.
17. PRECENDENCE – (16) EM
Just wouldn’t be spring without old Precedence going around in some feature races. From the tail of the field, couldn’t expect anymore from him first up when thirteenth in an Open Handicap at Caulfield (1400m). Wait for him in something longer again and easier.
18. WALDPARK – (7) EM
Former German galloper who hasn’t quite lived up to expectations in two runs in Australia. The Dubawi 5yo trained by Anthony Freedman ran eight in the Makybe Diva Stakes first up and eleventh in the G1 Underwood Stakes. Wanted to see more form him in either run before selecting him to be competitive in a race such as this.
19. WHISPER DOWNS – (11) EM
He was in really solid form last prep over middle distances – albeit in much easier races than this, and has returned with luckless runs in both the G3 Bobbie Lewis (1200m) and an Open class race (1400m) on a slow track at Caulfield. Going better than his form reads however, not good enough that, should he get a start in this race he could win it.
20. BIT OF HELL – (5) EM
A poor performance first up off an eleven week spell, when finishing last in an Open class race at Caulfied (1600m), didn’t deter trainer Mick Price from entering this 5yo by Hurrican Run into the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m). He ran second to last but again stepped out in Group company, the G3 Naturalism Stakes, and at 20/1, claimed third behind Mr. O’Ceirin. Improved effort last start but not enough to suggest he’d be able to competitive in this field.
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OVERVIEW
Glencadam Gold comes across from his wide draw to lead with Mr. O’Ceirin and Happy Trails handy. Puissance De Lune, Dear Demi and Royal Descent will all push forward from their inside gates initially and look for a spot before they start the sweeping turn at Flemington. Have to stick with Fiorente here. Reeled off a good finish last start and for the first time since finishing second in last year’s Cup, gets to a distance that should be to his favour. Fawkner next – he loves Flemington and his two runs back from a spell have him tuned nicely for here. Any cut out of the track will also be welcomed. Puissance De Lune has to stand up and be counted here if he’s going to be a contender in the bigger races later this spring. He was excellent first up, good second up and a victim of circumstances last start. This track, trip and draw, should arm him with all he needs to be competitive. Super Cool may be the forgotten horse here. Genuine excuses last time at the tight Valley circuit and back to Flemington, where he’ll have plenty of time to wind up, will see him hitting the line hard.
- FIORENTE
- FAWKNER
- PUISSANCE DE LUNE
- SUPER COOL
