Stablemates in top form
Listed Triple M’s Big Breakfast Queensland Cup, $200,000, 3200m
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace have enjoyed a fine season and they look to hold the key to this race with Yogi (NZ) (Raise The Flag {GB}) and Azuro (Fr) (Myboycharlie {Ire}).
Both come here in good form with the latter a last-start winner of the Stayers’ Cup over this trip in testing conditions at Randwick. He obviously has deep reserves of stamina and appeals as the horse to beat.
Yogi is also a proven stayer and was runner-up in the Listed Winter Cup at Rosehill and a trial since has kept him up to the mark. The only question mark on him is whether he can give six kilos and a beating to his stablemate.
Traviste (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) is racing well and should cope with the trip after finishing fifth off a tough run two runs back over 3000 metres. Doukhan (Ire) (Dansili {GB}) and Social Element (Savabeel) placed behind Azuro at their last starts and again appeal as players for exotics.
Silvera to shine
Eagle Farm Listed Sky Racing Tattersall’s Mile, $125,000 1600m
Silvera (High Chaparral {Ire}) was a last-start Rockhampton winner on a heavy track, but he has form on top of the ground as well and is more than capable of making his mark in black type company.
The topweight Bergerac (Drumbeats) is in grand touch and won the Listed Ipswich Cup two runs back before further success at Mackay.
He is dropping back in trip, but has a handy record over a mile while barn mate Prioritise (Rothesay) is an upset hope if he settles better in the running.
Torgersen (NZ) (Pins) may not be quite the force he once was, but he’s capable of making an impression here and Gold Ambition (NZ) (Savabeel) won well enough at Doomben to suggest he can run well again.
No mystery here
Belmont Listed Belmont Classic, $100,000, 2200m
Breeder-owners Bob and Sandra Peters have dominated black type racing in West Australia this season and that trend should continue here when William Pike dons their colours aboard Mystery Miss (Animal Kingdom {USA}).
The Grant and Lana Williams-trained filly has consecutive Listed wins to her credit and it will take a mighty effort to prevent her from completing a hat-trick.
Son Of Bacchus (Playing God) beat older opposition last time out and he’s a strong place chance while Pagan Image (Blackfriars) was a last-start third in the Listed Aquanita S. and a step up in trip shouldn’t bother him.
Cockatiel (Galah) chased home Mystery Miss in the Listed Belmont Oaks and on that performance is in the thick of it for a place cheque again.
Lip-smacking prospect
Morphettville Listed Saroa No Racing Without Owners Oaklands Plate, $100,000, 1400m
Pouting Lips (Hinchinbrook) came off a trial placing to make a successful debut at Echuca and the Danny O’Brien-trained filly looks a decent chance to pick up a black type success here.
Westport (Not A Single Doubt) has showed the benefit of a break and is unbeaten in two runs this preparation, including a dominant last-start win on the course. He will prove a handful again.
Stablemate Zoulah (Zoustar) makes her first appearance and she looked good winning her only trial so shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Indiscretion (Sebring) was a tidy second on debut and then made late ground for fifth to suggest a bit further will suit her.
Grey gets nod
New Plymouth Listed Powerworx Opunake Cup, $65,000, 1400m
Helena Baby (NZ) (Guillotine {NZ}) is considered Group 1 material by trainer John Bell so he looks a fine chance to continue his winning streak.
The grey is unbeaten and untested in his last four starts and on each occasion has revelled in rain-affected going.
Helena Baby
New York Minute (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) is coming on steadily with a couple of runs under her belt and a last-start third in the Listed Tauranga Classic indicated she was ready to add to her winning tally.
Te Toro Pearl (Bullbars) was fourth in that race and she wasn’t helped by beginning awkwardly and travelling three wide. Battle Time (Battle Paint {USA}) was back to his best at Tauranga and as a former Group 1 placegetter he has to be taken seriously.
