Avilius to bounce back
Randwick, G2 Bob Ingham Chelmsford S., $250,000, 1600m
Avilius (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) was a tidy fourth in his comeback in the G1 Winx S. over a trip far short of his best.
He is in the early stages of his spring preparation and so the step up to a mile looks ideal and he can be relied upon to be far more competitive.
Samadoubt (Not A Single Doubt) was an upset winner of the Winx, although he left few excuses for the beaten brigade with a gallant front-running display. A step up in distance isn’t a concern.
Unforgotten (Fastnet Rock) was less than two lengths off him last time out and she’s a quick improver. The mare has won three times when second-up and she’s not to be taken lightly.
Angel Of Truth (Animal Kingdom {USA}) closed out his 3-year-old season in style and is potent when fresh while Girl Tuesday (Street Cry {Ire}) is up in class, but has the benefit of a recent run when successful last time out.
There are a number of stayers resuming and that gives a race-hardened Con Te Partiro (USA) (Scat Daddy {USA}) a decent chance of finishing in the money. She should improve with her run for fourth in the G3 Show County.
The Shark to bite
Randwick, G2 Harvey Norman Tramway S., $200,000, 1400m
There will be considerable interest in the Australian debut of Te Akau Shark (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {NZ}) and everything he’s done to date suggests he is the horse to beat.
The winner of five of his seven starts, including the G2 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile, the chestnut got home late for second when resuming in the G2 Foxbridge Plate and trainer Jamie Richards has been more than happy with his subsequent progress.
As usual, Chris Waller has a number of representatives with Kolding (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) perhaps his best. He hasn’t raced since winning the G3 Queensland Guineas and has had a couple of trials to fit him for his return.
Dreamforce (Fastnet Rock) is back from a break and he has an excellent first-up record with three past wins when fresh while Invincible Gem (I Am Invincible) has race fitness on her side, but a tricky gate to work with.
Star Of The Seas (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) made good progress last preparation for Waller and is another known to strike form early in his campaign as is his barn mate Kaonic (NZ) (Savabeel) .
Crack filly stands out
Randwick, G2 Furious S., $200,000, 1200m
The dashing Libertini (I Am Invincible) has stamped herself as a special filly for trainer Anthony Cummings with three wins and a runner-up finish from her four appearances.
She made her seasonal debut on the course in the G2 Silver Shadow S. and toyed with her opposition, winning by nearly 2.5l with gears left. It will be a surprise if it’s any different here.
Last season’s G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Kiamichi (Sidestep) was out of the money in the G3 Toy Show on her return and that wasn’t totally unexpected. Trainer James Cummings said pre-race she would need a run and she should be more competitive this time.
Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) is a talented filly, but she will be more comfortable over a bit further and, while still a maiden, Let It Pour (Redoute’s Choice) is already stakes placed and another credit beckons.
Vilami (Foxwedge) is more than capable and she’s unlikely to seriously test a couple these, looms as a decent chance for a smaller slice of the cheque.
Eyes on Everest
Randwick, G3 Concorde S., $160,000, 1000m
It’s a small but select line-up of speedsters and could prove a handy guide to The Everest with a number of contenders engaged.
Nature Strip (Nicconi) is a quality sprinter as his record of 10 wins from 16 starts emphasises and he was a strong third in the G1 Stradbroke from a difficult draw. He has two recent trials under his belt and is a first-up specialist.
Multiple Group 1 winner Sunlight (Zoustar) is all class, but co-trainer Tony McEvoy has warned she can be vulnerable when fresh. It’s still hard to see her not running very well.
There will be major interest in the performance of the unbeaten Queenslander Zoustyle (Zoustar) and this will give a clear indication where he sits in the sprinting scheme of things.
Pierata (Pierro) has trialled well for his return as have the remaining runners Redzel (Snitzel) and Graff (Star Witness) in an intriguing contest.
