Bandipur hard to roll
Caulfield G3 Sir John Monash S., $160,000, 1100m
Bandipur (Commands) is at the top of his game with three wins from his last four appearances and this looks an ideal next step for him.
The Richard Laming-trained 4-year-old was a course and distance winner at his most recent outing and with success on wet and dry track the underfoot conditions pose no issue for him. Another major plus is Craig Williams retaining the ride.
Craig Williams will retain the ride on Bandipur
Any further easing of the ground will help the cause of the veteran Jungle Edge (Dubawi {Ire}) who continues to perform well. He has an awkward draw to overcome, but if he can get to the front without spending too much petrol he will give another fine sight.
Heart Conquered (Akeed Mofeed {GB}) has placed in three of his last four runs in Sydney and, while he is not best suited to the conditions of the race, his consistency makes him a player for multiples.
Malibu Style (Magnus) overcame a tardy start to win the Listed All Victorian Sprint Series Final and the only question mark on him is his ability to cope with a seven-day back-up.
Ken’s Dream (Dream Ahead {USA}) is another worth serious consideration in a fresh state. A winner on soft going, he has a good first-up record and a recent trial success suggests he is ready to give a bold account off a break.
Golden chance for Nicci
Rosehill Listed Winter S., $150,000, 1400m
Nicci’s Gold (Nicconi) didn’t have the best of luck when beaten into fourth in the Listed Civic S. on the track last time out. She was hampered in the straight before getting to the line strongly for fourth.
Five of her six career wins have come on rain-affected ground and with better luck the 4-year-old can post a deserved victory for trainer Gary Portelli and rider Robbie Dolan.
Gaulois (Street Cry) was competitive in Brisbane before he returned home and claimed the Civic and a repeat performance would see him ultra-competitive once again.
Seaway (NZ) (Ocean Park) finished fifth when she resumed in the same race and she has twice been a second-up winner so her chances should be taken seriously while stablemate Eckstein (I Am Invincible) will appreciate a drop in class.
She was far from disgraced at her most recent appearance when sixth in the G1 Tatt’s Tiara during the Queensland carnival.
