Best yet to come
Caulfield, G1 Ladbrokes Sir Rupert Clarke S., $500,000, 1400m
Best Of Days (GB) (Azamour {Ire}) showed the benefit of a first-up run when he overcame a wide gate to finish third in the G2 Feehan S. at The Valley.
He has unfortunately drawn poorly again, but with any luck in the running he promises to be a force to be reckoned with.
Best Of Days (GB)
Madison County (NZ) (Pins) is a dual Group 1 winner and he was genuine in all three Australian starts in the autumn, finishing with a second in the G1 ATC Derby. He hasn’t been sighted since, but trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman are pleased with his progress and a bold bid is expected.
So Si Bon (So You Think {NZ}) hasn’t always been the easiest horse to follow, but has been genuine in both appearances this campaign. His runner-up finish in the G1 Memsie S. is a hard form line to ignore.
Begood Toya Mother
Begood Toya Mother (Myboycharlie {Ire}) reeled off six straight wins before his sixth in the Memsie and the drop back to 1400 metre is in his favour. He was a course and distance winner three runs back.
Deprive (Denman) was second in the Listed Bendigo Bank S., a sound effort as he gave the winner The Inevitable (Dundeel {NZ}) four kilos, and last season’s G1 Thousand Guineas winner Amphitrite (Sebring) wasn’t far away when resuming in the G3 Cockram S. and has won with a run under her belt in the past.
Class may tell
Caulfield, G3 Ladbrokes How Now S., $160,000, 1200m
Aristia (Lonhro) was one of the stars of the spring 12 months ago when she won the G2 Wakeful S. ahead of claiming the G1 VRC Oaks and added a placing in the G1 Vinery Stud S. in the autumn.
She is obviously blessed with stamina, but has also been sharp enough to be effective first-up and class will carry her far.
Aristia
Pippie (Written Tycoon) has made grand progress, culminating in her G3 Cockram S., success in which she accounted for the subsequent G2 Let’s Elope S. winner Spanish Whisper (Lope De Vega {Ire}).
Angelic Ruler (Universal Ruler) collected three Group placings during her last Melbourne campaign and has a fresh win on her record while Grey Shadow (Dash For Cash) and Dawn Dawn (All Too Hard) have last-start wins on the course to back their claims.
Super staying prospect
Caulfield, G3 Malvern Bendigo Bank Foundation Cup, $160,000, 2000m
Super Titus (GB) (Dansili {GB}) opened his Australian account in style when he triumphed in the Listed Heatherlie H. and he looks a progressive staying prospect for Lindsay Park. It’s more than reasonable to assume we haven’t seen the best of him yet.
Steel Prince (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}) was terrific in his season opener behind Super Titus and natural improvement would see him in line for another cheque here.
Steel Prince (Ire)
Sikandarabad (Ire) (Dr Fong {USA}) was a creditable sixth in the G2 Feehan S. and this looks a more comfortable assignment for him.
Wolfe (Jpn) (Novellist {Ire}) was unplaced at Rosehill in heavy ground and he will appreciate a better surface and Volkstok’n’barrell (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) looks like he is working his way back to form. He was fourth at The Valley and should appreciate this trip and a bigger track.
Kooweerup leading hope
Caulfield, Listed Aquis Jim Moloney S. for Pinchapoo, $140,000, 1400m
Kooweerup (More Than Ready {USA}) was unbeaten as a 2-year-old and gave a good account of herself when resuming for third at The Valley. She made ground and an indication this distance will now be ideal.
Westport (Not A Single Doubt) blotted her copybook when unplaced in the Listed Atlantic Jewel S., but her prior form was strong and Art Collection (Fastnet Rock) posted a soft maiden win last time out in what could prove a confidence-booster for the well-related filly.
Acting (NZ) (Savabeel) has been good in her last two, but isn’t helped by a wide gate while the unbeaten Beauty Bolt (Redoute’s Choice) and Fascino (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) are other chances in a wide open affair.
Muntahaa makes appeal
Morphettville, Listed Tokyo City Cup, $100,000, 1800m
Muntahaa (Ire) (Dansili {GB}) is a former winner of the Ebor H. so he’s a quality act and this trip might prove to be an ideal one for him in a fresh state.
Stablemate Valac (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) won the G3 Queen’s Cup on the course in May and he’s since trialled and was a creditable sixth when resuming in the Listed Heatherlie H. for Lindsay Park.
Brown Ben (Big Brown {USA}) was an upset winner of the Listed Balaklava Cup last time out and it was a strong effort and one that should see him competitive here while Pierrocity (Pierro) has won her last two impressively and looks ready to take on stakes company.
Ideal race for speedster
Morphettville, Listed W H Wylie H., $100,000, 1100m
The former New Zealand-trained stakes winner Gift Of Power (NZ) (Power {GB}) hasn’t drawn the best, but this still looks an ideal race for the speedy mare. She also indicated her readiness with a recent trial win.
Gift Of Power (NZ)
Soothing (Lonhro) was runner-up in the G3 Toy Show S. so that’s makes her an obvious threat and the ease of All Over Bosanova’s (Court Command) last-start win also puts her in the frame.
Mystyko (NZ) (Sakhee’s Secret {GB}) is a proven first-up winner with a recent trial placing to trim him up while Arrow Lane (Red Arrow) and Schilldora (Artie Schiller {USA}) have been performing well enough in easier grades to be rated place chances.
