All eyes will be on promising sprinter Lord Of The Sky here. He ran a very good time on a substandard track at his last start and his trainer Robbie Laing is aiming to have him make the G1 Oakleigh Plate field in a few weeks time. He dominates the market here despite this being his first attempt crack at a Stakes graded race and is $2.10. African Pulse, who returns off a long layoff, will surely attract plenty of attention given his fresh and overall race record. He is on the second line at $4.40 with Shamal Wind the only other runner under double figures at $8.50.
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1. GENERAL TRUCE – A Mallyon (1) 60kgs
The evergreen galloper recorded his ninth career win in the Listed Kensington Stakes (1000m) last fortnight at Flemington when returning from a thirteen week spell. He settled closer to the speed than he normally does and was able to hold of the challenges of Pocket Rockets and race favourite, Kaiser Sun. Hasn’t drawn well for a back-maker in gate one and he’ll be giving the field a big start, with a big weight, on a track which from nineteen starts, he has only won on once.
2. ESPRIT DE BULLET – V Duric (4) 58.5kgs
Stormed home three starts back to defeat Vatican – who won the listed Doveton Stakes at his following start – over 1000m at Moonee Valley before running fifth in the Listed City of Marion Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville. Returned to Melbourne and the Flemington straight for his next and most recent start where he again finished well, scoring a head win over Fab Fevola. Going well but weighted to his absolute best and couldn’t see him running some of his rivals down over the 1000m on this circuit.
3. VATICAN – W Egan (12) 58.5kgs
A speedster who is in fine form having won two from five starts this preparation including, at his most recent start back in early Decmber, the Listed Doveton Stakes. Carrying 60kgs, he led all the way in the Doveton – ran over this track/trip – and won by 1 ¾ lengths with Loveyamadly finishing second. Only knows the one way to race and will scoot across from his wide gate. He has won two from his last four at this track which also includes a close up fourth in the G2 Schillaci Stakes behind Unpretentious. Will be kept honest in front here though and the final furlong will test.
4. ADAMANTIUM – C Williams (9) 57.5kgs
The 5yo Elusive City gelding resumed from an eight month spell back in August of last year but after three unimpressive performances, he was turned out again. He returns with no trials – the normal preparation for him – off a fifteen week break but it’s been a while now since he displayed the form that saw him win the G3 Standish Handicap in slashing stlyle and would prefer to see what he can offer first up here.
5. AFRICAN PULSE – D Oliver (3) 57kgs
The Mike Moroney galloper hasn’t raced since April of last year and only has had the three races since running in the Gosford Guineas (1200m) of April 2012. He showed plenty of ability early in his career and recorded impressive wins over the likes of good performers, General Truce and Kurata Queen. He is unbeaten when resuming from a spell in five runs including his most recent fresh run, which was off an eight month break. If anywhere close to his best, would give this a shake.
6. SHAMAL WIND – R Maloney (13) 56kgs
The 4yo mare raced consistently during her spring preparation without winning but did registered second placings in the G2 Caulfield Sprint and G2 G. H. Mumm Stakes behind Spirit of Boom and Dystopia respectively. She’s unbeaten in three first up runs, the most recent of which was here at Caulfield over 1100m. She’ll enjoy the strong tempo and is capable of storming home here if the track has been allowing for back-makers to run on.
7. EXCELORADA – S Parnham (2) 55.5kgs.
Smart Western Australian sprinter who has won ten from twenty-six but none of his last eight since resuming from a ninth month spell in October. His most recent outing came just shy of three weeks ago where, under 58kgs, he sat on the speed and was out-bobbed on the line by Dueton. This is his first venture outside of his home-state and whilst he is fit and has drawn well, he needed to be winning last start in good style to be rated a chance in a race of this quality.
8. DIDNTCOSTALOT – C Symons (7) 55kgs
Had a lovely run behind the speed when proving too strong at Kensington over 1000m two starts back before finding the 60.5kgs too much when third behind Let’s Rock’n’Roll and Tahitian Black in a BM 90 (1000m) at Warwick Farm. Will appreciate the drop to 55kgs for this race and one of his two starts at this track was a sixth of ten (3.5 lengths) behind Buffering in the WFA G2 Schillaci Stakes. The Marc Conners’ runner should get a nice run just of the speed and capable of filling a place at decent odds.
9. DON’T GET EXCITED – C Newitt (11) 54kgs
The 4yo by Elvstroem recorded a head win over Solsay (good form since) three starts back before, as the 7/4 favourite, running ninth (5.6 lengths) behind Karacatis and Richie’s Vibe in the Christmas Stakes on Boxing Day. His only run since then was in the Listed Kensington Stakes up the Flemington straight, where he finished fourth (1 ½ lengths) behind General Truce and Pocket Rockets. Had his chance last start, his first run in three weeks, but just finding this grade a length or two too strong at the moment.
10. KISS A ROSE – C Schofield (10) 54kgs
First up last August in the G3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) for 3yo fillies, the Peter Moody trained daughter of Sebring rattled home from near last on the turn to win by a nose. She backed that up with a good effort in the G2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) running second to Charlie Boy before finishing down the track on a slow surface in the 1000 Guineas Prelude (1400m) and was spelled. Like her first up victory last time in, she hasn’t been trialled by Moody but worth noting both of her career wins have come at the course over sprint distances whilst fresh.
11. HALLE ROCKS – J Kah (6) 54kgs
The Mick Price trained runner made good ground late to secure third place (2 ¾ lengths) behind Vatican in the Listed Doveton Stakes before getting back over the 1000m at Moonee Valley, and under 60kgs, only managing to finish seventh (2.6 lengths) behind Legcut and Johannapine. Conditions of last start where always going to be tough for her to overcome here however, with a good draw and light weight, she can take up a handier position and be a rough chance of running a place.
12. LORD OF THE SKY – G Boss (5) 54kgs
A very promising sprinter who has won three of his four starts the most recent of which, was by an impressive 6 ½ lengths. Admittedly that was only a BM 78 but he won in a very slick time on what was poorly performing track on the day and with seemingly something still left in the locker. Boss will have him ready to strike from gate five and whilst this is his acid test to date, he may very well pass with flying colours.
13. BRILLIANT BISC – S Baster (8) 54kgs
We haven’t seen this 3yo filly from the Peter Moody yard race since she finished ninth of thirteen (4.4 lengths) to Scandiva in the G2 Magic Night Stakes (1200m) back in March of last year. She showed plenty of natural speed in each of her four starts as a 2yo, but her results were mixed. Not seen at the trials and has picked a tough race here to commence her 3yo season in.
RACE OVERVIEW
Early favourite is Lord Of The Sky who could be one right out of the box. His time last start was impressive and from a good draw, does look very hard to beat despite the significant rise in class. African Pulse has sensational stats for the conditions of this race and not so sure the long break will be a concern. Won handsomely first up last time off an eight month break and has finished within only a few length of the winner twice in G1 races previously. Shamal Wind will, or should be, steaming home. She was unlucky when second here behind Spirit Of Boom in the spring but from gate thirteen, she should be able to track into the race, and get plenty of room to wound up late. Best value in the race could be Didntcostalot. He’ll get a nice run, has fitness on his side and a nice weight.
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- LORD OF THE SKY
- AFRICAN PULSE
- SHAMAL WIND
- DIDNTCOSTALOT
Odds:
