Second to last race of the day is sprinting event for the older horses. The current favourite at $1.95 is the Con Karakastanis trained Howmuchdoyouloveme who was an impressive winner of the G2 Caulfield Sprint last start. He faces a field of greater depth in this race but was impressive when working up the straight during the week.
1. TIGER TEES – C Reith (6)
He returned from a spell with an authoritative win in the G3 Concorde Stakes defeating Mrs Onasis and Satin Shoes before coming to Melbourne to compete in the G1 AJ Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley late September. After sharing the pace with eventual winner Buffering, he finished fourth, beaten 1.5 lengths. He hasn’t raced since but did have a good hit-out in a Rosehill Barrier Trial, which he won by four lengths, a fortnight ago.
Odds: $10.00
2. GOLDEN ARCHER – L Nolen (7)
The Peter Moody trained four year old has won two of his five starts this preparation including the Listed The Shark (1100m) at Caulfield, defeating Mr. Make Believe. Drew wide and got back at his last start in the G2 Schillaci Stakes before running second to Buffering. Expect him to be more prominent today and has won three of four at this track but it may be the last 100m that finds him out.
Odds: $17.00
3. PAMPELONNE – J Bowman (8)
The winner of the G2 The Shorts first up two starts back and followed that up with a fourth in the Schillaci Stakes. That was his first look at Caulfield and his first race the Victorian way of going and expecting the experience would have been of benefit to him. He has drifted in early markets from $7.50 out to $9.00 with Sportsbet but a genuine each-way proposition
Odds: $9.00
4. ROLLING PIN – C Brown (9)
A five year old from the Gwenda Markwell stables at Kembla Grange who has been in some exceptional form. He won the G3 Cameron Handicap three starts back and backed that up with a win in the G2 Shannon (1500m) and then a week later, ran third in the Epsom Handicap behind Fat Al and Ambidexter. Has been freshened up since but fancy he may find some of these a bit too quick over this trip.
Odds: $51.00
5. SPIRIT OF BOOM – N Rawiller (11)
He hasn’t been far off the mark in his three runs back this time in including placings in the G3 Bobbie Lewis (behind We’re Gonna Rock) and third in the Gilgai Stakes (behind Hallowell Belle). Don’t mind him being drawn out wide as he’ll get back and enjoy the solid tempo. Look for him to be finishing hard and represents good each-way value at $11.00
Odds: $11.00
6. HOWMUCHDOYOULOVEME – B Avdulla (5)
A four year gelding by Written Tycoon who has won five from his six starts including a dominant performance in the Listed Ramornie Hcp at Grafton in July and then, first up since that run, the G2 Caulfield Sprint as 5/2 favourite a fortnight ago. Dominated that race and expect him to jump straight to the front here. Worked well during the week up the straight and should give them all something to catch.
Odds: $2.00
7. OUTLANDISH LAD – G Boss (13)
A fantastic old galloper who tackles this race first up from a spell. Won three of five at the end of his last prep including the G3 D C McKay (1100m) over Kulgrinda and Stirling Grove (who ran third in the Schillaci Stakes recently.) He has been tuned up for this with two solid barrier trails.
Odds: $31.00
8. CURTANA – K McEvoy (12)
She got a long back when first up in the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes behind Miss Marx and followed that up with a fifth (beaten 3.8) in the Schillaci Stakes behind Howmuchdoyouloveme. Ran fourth this track and trip in the G1 Patinack Farm behind Black Caviar this time last year but can’t have here on her most recent starts.
Odds: $15.00
9. MISS MARX – B Shinn (2)
Since joining the David Vandyke stable at the beginning of this preparation, this 5yo mare has been in solid form including winning the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes at Caulfield two starts back. Steps up a grade here but has been well supported in early betting, firming from $11.00 into $9.00.
Odds: $8.00
10. CHASM – (4)
An eight year old gelding who tackles this race first up after a break of seven months. Combined with the fact that he hasn’t been seen at any official trials and has only won one of past thirty starts, and a win here would be a huge surprise.
Odds: $31.00
11. LATIN NEWS – C Williams (1)
Queensland galloper who had his first two starts this preparation in his home state, finishing second on each occasion before heading south and competing in the G2 Caulfield Sprint at his most recent start. Held his spot in that race and chased Howmuchdoyouloveme valiantly finishing third (beaten 2.4 lengths) Ran some handy race earlier this year in the G3 Newcastle Newmarket and G3 Southern Cross but hard to see him turning the tables on the favourite.
Odds: $31.00
12. BOLTON – S Hillerbrand (10)
This six year old Zabeel gelding has come down from the Northern Territory to compete in this race. He’s last start was a Darwin Cup over 2000m. He’s had no trials in the lead up to this race and probably under the odds at his current quote of $81.00
Odds: $81.00
13. FONTELINA – V Duric (3)
Also taking on this race first up and he won two of his five starts last prep before finishing sixth in the G2 Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) behind Colorado Claire. Steps out as a four year old as the first time and has a barrier trial under his belt but will find this a tough test.
Odds: $26.00
SUMMARY
Howmuchdoyouloveme to lead with Golden Archer and Tiger Tees keeping him company and ensuring a good speed throughout. It’s hard not be impressed by Howmuchdoyouloveme’s effort in the Caulfield Sprint and since his work at Flemington on Tuesday morning, has been met with a massive amount of support. This will be his hardest test to-date for mine yet, the shortest price offered so view Spirit of Boom as a better betting option. He should sit behind them and be charging late. Has been close up in three starts this prep and has a fourth last prep behind Sea Siren and Buffering to his credit.