The feature race in Sydney on Saturday is the running of the Winter Stakes with an interesting mixture of runners entered. We have some in consistent form in weaker graded races, some resuming and others who, with only a few starts under their belt since returning from break, ready to peak. Punters are sticking with the Civic Stakes form line where the quinella there, Under the Sun and Mic Mac head the market here at $4.20 and $5.00 respectively.
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1. MIC MAC – C Reith (1) 60.5kgs
A fantastic effort by his new Trainer Paul Messara saw this 7yo, third up from a twelve month spell; win the Listed Civic Stakes last start. Ridden a treat by Reith who rated the son of Statue of Liberty gelding in front perfectly, he found plenty late to register a length win over Under The Sun. Goes up 1.5kgs here and with a bigger field, should be kept honest in front. Under the big weight over the seven furlongs, might feel the pinch in last 100m this week.
2. KINNERSLEY – K O’Hara (4) 58kgs.
He was prepared for his return to racing from a thirteen week spell with three barrier trials before stepping out in an Open handicap at Rosehill a little of two weeks ago. The combination of a big weight (60kgs) and heavy track conditions meant the Gai Waterhouse galloper was likely to struggle and that he did, finishing last behind Merlin Mustang. Drier the track the better but second up stats suggest he’ll struggle here too.
3. SEE THE WORLD – J Parr (5) 58kgs
Backmarker who ran third in both the G3 Sebring Stakes and Hall Mark Stakes during the Autumn Carnival and returned from a seven week let-up with a seventh of eight (beaten 5 ¼ lengths) in the Civic Stakes last fortnight. That race was dictated by front-running Mic Mac and the sit and sprint tactics were never going to be in his favour. He should enjoy the benefit of that run, the solid tempo here and he does posses a very strong record here.
4. KONTIKI PARK – J Bowman (7) 57.5kgs
Needed the first up run, his first in six months and then at his next and most recent start, ran a courageous fourth under 60kgs on a heavy track behind Merlin Mustang. Third up last prep he finished within three lengths of Rolling Pin in the G3 Cameron Handicap. Enjoys some weight relief here, will be fitter again and last start was good enough to include him as a chance.
5. BOLD GLANCE – N Rawiller (6) 57kgs.
After some average efforts in Listed races in his first two starts back from a spell, he enjoyed the step down to Open company and finished within three lengths of Said Com before, at his most recent start, running third behind Merlin Mustang. Good last start but actually rises in weight and at this class, just needs to find a few more lengths.
6. STAR OF OCTAGONAL – R Thompson (3) 56kgs
Former smart galloper who has struggled to recapture that form in three runs back from an enforced layoff of almost a year. His last start was in the Sunshine Coast Glasshouse Handicap where he finished over ten lengths from winner Someday. Nothing in his runs back would suggest he’d be worth including here.
7. SHADOWS IN THE SUN – N Berry (11) 55.5kgs
A stayer from the Anthony Cumming yard who is returning from a fourteen week spell. First up last preparation he was backed from 20/1 into 9/1 and flew late to be out-bobbed by Ollie Vollie over 1200m. As then, he’s only had the one trial and betting should be closely monitored.
8. DARCI BE GOOD – T Clark (12) 55kgs.
Very solid campaign put together last time in by this Bede Murray trained galloper that included a G3 win along with placing at G2 and Listed level. Resumes here off a twenty-three week spell with no public trials, which was the case with his last first up run, where in put in a very credible fifth (beaten 2.4 lengths) in the G3 Tramway Handicap over this distance and under 54kgs. Wide draw makes it hard but cannot be totally dismissed.
9. UNDER THE SUN – T Huet (2) 54.5kgs
4yo trained by Gai Waterhouse who has been very consistent this time in but only the one win from eight starts to show for his efforts. Sat outside Mic Mac last start in the Civic Stakes and even though he was in receipt of 5kgs, couldn’t run that leader down and finished length second. Drawn perfectly to get a similar run and has finished in the first two, six from eight starts this track.
10. WAZN – G Schofield (10) 54.5kgs
A handy stayer from the Chris Waller yard, who is resuming from a thirteenth month spell. He’s last start was in the G3 Tatt’s Cup, June last year and he’ll need this and several other runs before he can be considered a chance.
11. PRINCE OF CAPERS – B Avdulla (8) 54kgs
Won at 16/1 two starts for astute trainer Tony McEvoy in an Open company race over 1800m. He has been freshened up since a poor effort at the following start when finishing midfield behind World Wide. Would think he’ll find this trip and class, too sharp for him.
12. COUP AY TEE – J Collett (13) 54kgs.
Won a BM 95 three starts back in good style and backed that up with a solid second to Under the Sun (whom he gave 2kgs to), when beaten ½ length in a similar grade of race. Had three weeks off and started 3/1 favourite when stepping at in Open Handicap but was under pressure a long way from home on the heavy conditions and finished tenth, over ten lengths from winner Merlin Mustang. Not what you wanted to see heading into a Listed race and the widest draw creates further doubt.
13. PRETTY PINS – (9) 54kgs
She has been solid in each of her three starts back from a six month spell. Ran third behind Under The Sun and Coup Ay Tee two starts back before a four week break and finishing fifth (beaten 2.4 lengths) in a BM 85 behind Eigelstein. She didn’t have much luck getting clear running in the straight last start. She’ll get back and run on but will have to past some smart ones to win here.
OVERVIEW
Under The Sun, Mic Mac led out with Kontiki Park and Kinnersley handy. If these runners sort themselves out early, they should be able to set the tempo and would think Under The Sun and Kontiki Park the best of them. However, think it’ll pay to forgive See The World’s last run and going with him each way here. He’s efforts in good races during the Autumn (should’ve won the Hall Mark Stakes) were very good and a more genuine tempo here, on his favoured track, should see him finishing hard. He’s only other effort of this distance resulted in a head second to Irish Dream in the Winter Stakes last year.
