Chris Waller will have five representatives in this race (Permit, Secessio, Wazn, Sacred Flyer and Madam Nash), a rare Sydney staying feature that Waller doesn’t already have on his mantelpiece. However, the market suggest Waller may have to wait another year as outside of Secession ($7.50) his remaining four runners are all double figure odds. Heading the market and adding plenty of interest to the race will be La Amistad, the younger half sister to champion mare and triple Melbourne Cup winning Makybe Diva. La Amistad has been taking along steadily by the Hawkes Team who care for her, and their patience is reaping rewards. The combination of promise and breeding has seen her the subject of plenty of early support in betting, firming from an opening price of $3.20 into $2.80. On the second line of betting is Gai Waterhouse’s 3yo, Order Of The Sun at $6.00.
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1. PERMIT – B Shinn (10)
Was working home soundly at the end of the Lord Mayor’s Cup (2000m), his second run since March, finishing fifth (2 ¾ lengths) behind Zephyron – favourite for the Premier’s Cup in Brisbane on the weekend. Like most, he had to chase a long way out and did a good job to keep closing under 59.5kgs. He’ll be fitter again for that run and has won his last two races – both Listed races – over this distance. Attracts attention at $10.00
2. DESTINY’S KISS – J Parr (1)
After two good runs back from a spell, including a solid 1 ¾ length win at Warwick Farm in a BM 95 (1600m), the 5yo was rated one of the better chances in last week’s Listed Scone Cup (1600m). Under 58kgs and from a wider gate, he settled back in the field and closed well to run fifth (3.5 lengths) behind Cameo. The run suggested he was looking for longer and whilst this does represent a big jump in distance, he’ll secure a nice run from the inside gate and has a solid record over this trip. Any cut out of the track would also assist.
3. ZABEELIONAIRE – T Clark (8)
5yo who last start, came the closest he has to breaking a 2 year winless drought when second (3.3 lengths) in the Port Adelaide Cup (2500m). That was his fourth run back from a lengthy injury enforced break so should be at full strength now but even if so, on from it is hard to see him winning here despite the stables handy record when racing in Sydney.
4. ZEPHYRON –
Didn’t enjoy the wet conditions of the G3 JRA Plate and only paddled through the going when eleventh (11.8 lengths) before a vastly improved effort at his following start, on a dead rated track, when successful in the Lord Mayor’s Cup (2000m) at Rosehill. The Zabeel 5yo toughed it out well after settling handy to a solid speed and defied the challengers of I’m Imposing and Secessio to win by a head. On a firm surface, he should be in this for a long way.
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5. SECESSIO – C Reith (12)
Two runs back from a spell have been very good and will have him primed for this race. Closed as well as his trainer would’ve hoped for first up over a mile before chasing Zephyron home in the Lord Mayor’s Cup from a mid-field position, finishing third (1.2 lengths). He has had two attempts at Stakes races beyond 2000m and finished fifth in both. Whilst he’ll be at his peak for this, the wide draw will not make his task easy.
6. WAZN – J Ford (13)
Winner of the Wyong Gold Cup (2100m) last preparation, the 7yo has shown very little in three runs back from a spell recently. Each of the runs have been on rain-effected tracks and whilst drier track will be preferred, it may not be enough to see him make the improvement required to win here.
7. SACRED FLYER – J Collett (5)
The High Chaparral 7yo was ok first up in a BM 95 (1600m) at Warwick Farm, making steady ground along the fence in the run home to finish fifth (2.9 lengths) behind Destiny’s Kiss. He then jumped up to the 2000m of the Lord Mayor’s Cup where from a wide gate, he settled in the final quarter of the field. In a race dominated by those closer to the speed, he finished tenth (4.9 lengths) behind Zephyron. Race really wasn’t run to suit last start and from five, he’ll settle in a nice spot here closer to the speed. He is capable of a big improvement but still yet to prove himself at Stakes level.
8. MADAM NASH – A Hyeronimus (14)
Bold front-running mare who will shoot over from her wide gate and led this field by setting a solid clip. Under these conditions, she tried to pinch the Lord Mayor’s Cup (2000m) last start but was surpassed at the furlong and finished eighth (4.4 lengths) from Zephyron. On that effort, hard to see her holding off the challengers over the mile and a half.
9. ALZORA – S Clipperton (7)
4yo mare who has only won the two races from twenty-three starts but in her defence, a majority of her career has been spent contesting Group races. She did well second up to run fourth in the JRA Plate behind Spillway after being blocked for a run before heading to Adelaide for her next and most recent start, the Listed Centaurea Stakes (2000m). With 59kgs and a slow track to contend with, the daughter of Redoute’s Choice could only muster a seventh placing (3.5 lengths) behind Blue Ribbon. Back down in the weights here is a positive capable of a cheeky run at double figure odds.
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10. ORDER OF THE SUN – J Cassidy (6)
Gai Waterhouse 3yo who should push forward and follow Madam Nash. This will suit the dour son of Encosta De Lago who’ll enjoy the solid tempo and who has recently recorded a seven length win in the Listed St. Leger over 2800m. Whilst there are question marks over his class for this event, the pattern of this race may pan out perfectly for him.
11. ASTRO AVALANCE – K Mallyon (2)
Likely to start triple figure odds given that first up from spell he finished over sixteen lengths last in a six horse race at Warwick Farm (2200m). That was only his second run for over twelve months with his previous run also resulting in him finishing a long last.
12. SOMMERNACHTSTRAUM – B Avdulla (3)
Former imported galloper who was unlucky not to register his second Australian win two starts back when fifth (2.1 lengths) behind Senta Desert in a Kensington BM 85 (1800m). At his next and most recent start, he settled back in the field at Hawkesbury when contesting a BM 80 over 2000m, and in a race controlled by those up on the speed, he made little impression in the run home, finishing ninth (7 ¾ lengths) from the winner Grand Marshal. Will take up a more forward position here from gate three and the distance should pose no problem given he won over 3000m in Europe.
13. LA AMISTAD – J McDonald (11)
Makybe’s Diva’s little half sister made it two wins in a row with a very strong and promising 2 ¾ length in a BM 70 (2400m) at Warwick Farm just over a fortnight ago. She settle just off the speed and had the race won a long way from him, easing up on the line with Saghann second. Team Hawkes have been very patient with this mare and that’s a method that’s proved very successful with a number of their recent winners. Off that style of win, not out of place taking a crack and is still improving.
14. KOBI SUN – J Lloyd (4)
Was lining up for his fourth start this prep a fortnight ago in the Lord Mayor’s Cup (2400m). The Haradasun 4yo was having his first start in a Stakes race and settled at the tail toward the tail of the field. Was still batting away on the line finishing ninth (4.8 lengths) and whilst the step up on distance looks as though it will suit, at this stage of his career he is eligible for easier races than this.
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RACE OVERVIEW
Madam Nash leads and provides the perfect bunny for Order Of The Sun to chase. Similarly, Destiny’s Kiss who has drawn gate one, should be able to get a lovely run and be in the spot as they turn. Unlike most in the race, she’s proven at this level and at $9.00 is good each-way odds. La Amistad was very good last start and the stable now when their horses are ready to take the step in grade. Hard too to ignore the weight of early money for this mare. Leaving her stable-mate Zephyron out of selections as he is likely to compete in Brisbane.
- DESTINY’S KISS
- LA AMISTAD
- PERMIT
- ORDER OF THE SUN