Pohutukawa to blossom in Tiara
Eagle Farm G1 Sky Racing Tattersall’s Tiara, $500,000, 1400m
Jockey Blake Shinn has enjoyed a lucrative Brisbane winter carnival and he looks a grand chance to finish on a high when he combines with Pohutukawa (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) in the final Group 1 feature of the season.
The James Cummings mare was a fine last-start second in the G2 Queensland Guineas and from an inside gate she promises to be a major player.
Godolphin’s chances don’t end there either with Savatiano (Street Cry {Ire}) and Multaja (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) both last-start winners to seriously consider.
Multaja is one of two chances for Godolphin
Toby Edmonds was out of luck at Royal Ascot with Houtzen (I Am Invincible), but might be in line for a slice of domestic compensation with Winter Bride (Not A Single Doubt). She is a genuine mare and drawn to be a factor.
Stablemate Platinum Angel (Snitzel) has claims as well after her effort to finish runner-up in the G2 Dane Ripper S.
Invincibella (I Am Invincible) has come to form at the right time following her successful defence of her 2 Dane Ripper title and with Prompt Response (Beneteau), a fresh Egg Tart (Sebring), Eckstein (I Am Invincible) and Noire (Foxwedge) involved, trainer Chris Waller has a strong hand.
Any easing of the ground will see the chances of Jamaican Rain (Manhattan Rain), who hasn’t raced since a close seventh in the G1 Goodwood H., soar.
Duke to slug it out
Eagle Farm G3 Lazy Yak Tattersall’s Cup, $200,000, 3000m
Big Duke (Ire) (Raven’s Pass {USA}) made plenty of ground for third in the G2 Brisbane Cup and this distance won’t pose any problems.
He’s a warrior and finished fourth in the G1 Melbourne Cup a couple of years ago. He is adept on all manner of tracks and carries weight well.
Miss Admiration (Sebring) also caught the eye in the Brisbane Cup, making up lengths from the tail of the field and she looks to offer each-way value.
The Kiwi Sampson (NZ) (Dubai Destination {USA}) did plenty of work in the Listed Ipswich Cup and stuck on bravely for second, He is a past G3 Wellington Cup runner-up over 3200 metres so his staying ability can’t be questioned.
The 3-year-old Vow And Declare (Declaration Of War {USA}) is an interesting runner off the back of his G1 Queensland Derby run for second. With his light weight he can be a factor.
Etah James (NZ) (Raise The Flag {USA}) is making his first start for Matt Cumani and was a strong last-start second on a testing track at Ellerslie. He ran the 2200 metres out well enough to suggest he can cope with more distance.
Victorem a major player
Eagle Farm G3 Simon George & Sons WJ Healy S., $175,000, 1200m
Victorem (I Am Invincible) was an impressive last-start winner of the Listed Hinkler S. and on the evidence of that performance the 4-year-old will be hard to handle in this.
He came from a mile back in the running for a clear-cut victory and a rise in weight might not be enough to halt his winning run.
Brave Song (Your Song) has finished runner-up in stakes company in each of his last three outings and he can be strongly expected to be competitive while Isaurain (Exceed And Excel) won the Listed Chief De Beers and has been kept up to the mark with a subsequent trial.
Alassio (Foxwedge) hasn’t raced since finishing well back in the G1 Coolmore, but is another to have trialled well and has won twice in a fresh state before.
Quilista (Scandal Keeper {USA}) was runner-up in the G3 Moreton S. and claimed the Listed Bright Shadow S. before that so she is in good touch and a little lucky from a tricky draw can see her continue her grand run of form.
Cellarman top chance
Eagle Farm Listed GH Mumm Open, $125,000, 1820m
Cellarman (Mossman) got home well for fourth in the Listed Wayne Wilson at his most recent appearance and a step up in distance can only help him. Duca Valentinois (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) was second in that race and looks sure to run well again, despite being worse off in the handicap.
Another Dollar (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) failed on a heavy track at Randwick and a better surface will suit her while Live And Free (NZ) (Savabeel) is edging closer to a major success and looks well-placed here to make his presence felt again.
Discharged in right form
Eagle Farm Listed Winning Edge Presentations S., $125,000, 1400m
Discharged (Snitzel) was a good winner two runs back and then finished a close fifth behind subsequent G1 JJ Atkins S. winner Prince Fawaz (Fastnet Rock), a sound recommendation for this.
Kordia (Epaulette) has been freshened since last racing and has trialled well in the interim and Big Parade (Deep Field) won on debut in the style that suggested he can measure to black type company. Snazz ‘N’ Charm (Snitzel) finished strongly for fifth last time out and the extra trip suits him.
Prince Fawaz is hoping to repeat his G1 JJ Atkins S. win this weekend
Market to rule again
Belmont Listed HG Bolton Sprint, $100,000, 1200m
Market Ruler (Universal Ruler) won the Listed Beaufine S. last time out at the expense of Electric Light (Vital Equine {Ire}) and they again meet at level weights and another likely quinella pairing.
Lockroy (More Than Ready {USA}) is back from a break and he’s a past first-up winner who has trialled while Valour Road (Frost Giant {USA}) is a talent. He was sixth in the G1 Goodwood H. so this is a significant step back in class.
Attractive proposition
Belmont Listed Waroa-Belmont Guineas, $100,000, 1600m
True Attraction (More Than Ready) is in a rich vein of form and he’s versatile with winning form on wet and dry tracks.
He’s trained by Grant and Alana Williams, who also have Mystery Miss (Animal Kingdom {USA}) and she too is racing well while Flirtini (Artie Schiller) adds the puzzle. She’s in good touch and another bold effort should be forthcoming while Coming Around (Gingerbread Man) is also racing well and a contender for multiples.
Gytrash hard to roll
Flemington Listed AR Creswick S., $140,000, 1200m
Gytrash (Lope De Vega) and Halvorsen (Magnus) finished first and second respectively when they clashed last time out with the former giving weight to the runner-up so Gordon Richards’ charge has to be respected again.
Bam’s On Fire (Universal Ruler) is in outstanding form and sure to run well again while Marcel From Madrid (Sepoy) is having his first start from new quarters and a change often sparks a return to top form. Persuader (Zoustar) was good last time out and another right in the mix.
Marcel From Madrid hopes to return to top form
Sensible bet
Tauranga Listed Ultimate Ford and Mazda Tauranga Classic, NZ$50,000, 1400m
Sensible Princess (NZ) (Street Sense {USA}) can improve sharply on her fresh run for third in deep and trying conditions at Trentham. She is a quality mare and as a Group 2 winner on her last campaign will have nothing to fear in this line-up.
Sleeping Beauty (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) is sure to be competitive off the back of a Group 3 victory at Rotorua while Art Deco (NZ) (Road To Rock) and Te Toro Pearl (NZ) (Bullbars) are both genuine and place hopes. Rosewood (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) loves heavy ground and dangerous to disregard.
