Cover image by Dan Himbrechts courtesy of AAP Photos
Pierata to end on high
G1 Schweppes All Aged S., $480,000, 1400m
Pierata (Pierro) is the defending champion and he looks on the verge of winning form following two outings and both held merit. This could be his final appearance before retiring to stud and a fairy tale ending may well be in store.
Multiple Group 1 winning sprinter Santa Ana Lane (Lope De Vega {Ire}) closed well for second in the G1 TJ Smith S. and this distance should now suit him ideally.
Pierata
Fierce Impact (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) is perhaps at his absolute best over further, but he has been freshened since finishing fourth in the All-Star Mile and is not out of contention.
The 3-year-olds Bivouac (Exceed And Excel), Brandenburg (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}) and Super Seth (Dundeel {NZ}) are not so well off in the weights, but still represent a talented and formidable trio.
Dreamforce (Fastnet Rock) gained an overdue major reward when he won the G1 George Ryder S. and this is his pet distance while Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) is racing well in strong company and without a lot of luck so she deserves respect again.
Formidable trio
G1 Moet & Chandon Champagne S., $400,000, 1600m
Peter and Paul Snowden have a strong hold on this race with three contenders – King’s Legacy (Redoute’s Choice), Untamed (Pierro) and Aim (Star Witness).
The former finished powerfully to win the G1 Sires’ Produce S. and the extra distance is highly unlikely to worry him while Untamed was a strong winner over the trip in the Listed Fernhill H. Aim is a smart youngster, but desperate for a decent track.
King’s Legacy | Image by Dan Himbrechts courtesy of AAP Photos
Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon) hasn’t had all favours in his last two runs and if the breaks go his way he is sure to be competitive and the G3 Baillieu S. winner Holyfield (I Am Invincible) is a tough colt who looks well-suited to 1600 metres.
So too does Not An Option (Not A Single Doubt) who closed well for third in the G3 Kindergarten S. after going back from the outside gate.
Hat-trick beckons
G3 Cactus Imaging Frank Packer Plate, $140,000, 2000m
Quick Thinker (So You Think {NZ}) is chasing a memorable hat-trick following success in the G2 Tulloch S. and the G1 Australian Derby. The only slight concern with him is the drop back in trip, but he’s in outstanding form and is hard to overlook.
Entente (Dundeel {NZ}) bridged the gap from a maiden win to victory in the G3 Carbine Club S. in style and no reason why he can’t give another bold sight off the front.
Bottega (Snitzel) was runner-up in the Carbine Club and the way he hit the line strongly suggested the 2000 metres will favour him while Gone By (Al Maher) looks progressive and can’t be discounted.
Chuck A Luck (NZ) (Niagara) is well-seasoned and in good form and Pancho (Dissident) wasn’t disgraced when sixth in the G1 Rosehill Guineas and has since won a trial. Relucent (NZ) (Savabeel) is genuine and a definite consideration for exotic players.
Rubisaki red hot
G3 Mostyn Cooper James HB Carr S., $140,000, 1400m
Rubisaki (Rubick) looms as a hot prospect to post her sixth consecutive victory before she heads for a well-earned break. The filly has improved with every outing and she will take some holding out in this.
Akari (Snitzel) was third behind her in the G2 PJ Bell S. so a similar effort puts her in the firing line and the promising Mirra Vision (Lonhro) looks well-suited to stepping out over more ground.
A better surface would help the chances of Pin Sec (Lonhro), whose stablemate La Tene (Helmet) can be hard to follow, but this is the right trip for her to shine.
Subpoenaed (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) is a talented filly and a definite each way chance in this grade after being unplaced in the G1 Vinery Stud S., St Covet’s Spirit (Uncle Mo {USA}) was fifth when resuming behind Rubisaki and as a second-up winner and some longshot appeal.
Trip to suit
G3 Japan Racing Association Plate, $140,000, 2000m
Shared Ambition (Ire) (Born To Sea {Ire}) was never a factor in the G1 Doncaster H., but he looks a strong chance going up in distance. He was a stakes winner over this course and distance two runs back.
This is a wide open affair with plenty of room for an upset and don’t discount Maurus (GB) (Medicean {GB}), who is a past second-up winner while Master Of Arts (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) wasn’t far away when resuming in the G3 Doncaster Prelude and this trip suits him much better.
Shared Ambition (Ire) | Image by Simon Bullard courtesy of AAP Photos
Night’s Watch (NZ) (Redwood {GB}), Danceteria (Fr) (Redoute’s Choice) and Yulong Prince (SAF) (Gimmethegreenlight) are all back from Group 1 company and should be more competitive.
Oceanex (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) made late ground in the G2 Emancipation S. and is better suited to 2000 metres. She is third-up and another one that can make an impression at odds. So could Purple Sector (NZ) (Pins), who can improve markedly on a good surface.
Sprinter well-placed
G3 TAB Hall Mark Plate, $140,000, 1200m
Deprive (Denman) is coming off a fourth placing in the G1 The Galaxy so this represents a more winnable assignment. He also boasts excellent course and distance statistics, six wins on the track and four over this trip.
Stablemate Kementari (Lonhro) made an encouraging return when third in the Star Kingdom S. and the other Godolphin runner Trekking (Street Cry {Ire}) was outgunned in the G1 TJ Smith S. and should be more competitive here.
As Group 1 winners In Her Time (Time Thief) and Booker (Written Tycoon) deserve more than a second look as does a fresh Le Romain (Hard Spun {USA}), who owns a handy first-up record.
Tyzone (Written Tycoon) is also effective off a break and Greyworm (Master Of Design) ran well in the G3 Maurice McCarten S. and he has a strong 1200 metre record. The best blow-out chance may be Sesar (Sebring), who is talented and a change of stable may bring out the best in him.
