Big payday looms
Randwick, R. Listed Inglis Millennium, $2,000,000, 1100m
Co-trainer Mick Price has continued to sing the praises of his high-class colt Profiteer (Capitalist) since he announced himself on debut with a 2.8l victory at Flemington. That day he was close to the track record and has since backed that up with a strong Rosehill trial under Hugh Bowman.
Ashema (I Am Invincible) was set a task last time out from the wide gate and still managed to battle on into third. She’s drawn nicely in barrier seven and should get a dream run in behind the speed.
Nice For What (Shaala {Ire}) hasn’t been seen at the races since last November, but on that day she attacked the line with purpose to finish 0.1l second behind leading G1 Blue Diamond fancy Dosh (Rich Enuff). Her recent trial was a pleasing effort, but from the far outside she’ll need a strong tempo to boost her chances.
Jessica Rabbit (Sooboog) was an easy last-start winner at Doomben, but would need to show improvement to trouble a few of these and Pegasi (Star Turn) has done little wrong in a brief career and is still improving.
Ole returns replenished
Randwick, R. Listed Inglis Sprint, $1,000,000, 1200m
The Team Hawkes-trained Group 1-winning colt Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon) is already a valuable stud prospect and will use this race as a springboard toward the G1 Caulfield Guineas and other stallion making races, at a mile and beyond. His class should take him close.
Dame Giselle (I Am Invincible) has trialled up well for this event, finishing third behind crack sprinters Nature Strip (Nicconi) and Bivouac (Exceed and Excel). She’s won three from five over this trip and is yet to miss the placings in three first-up attempts.
The Bopper (Nicconi) will need to go to another level to be winning this race, but there’s every indication he will run well second-up. Hugh Bowman takes over from Rachel King and will be able to give the gelding every chance from the box seat.
Prime Star (Starspangledbanner) is out to add another Inglis juvenile feature to his resume, after taking out the R. Listed Inglis Millennium last year. The consistent gelding has seven top two finishes from nine career starts and brings strong form lines into this race after finishing second behind the high-class Peltzer (So You Think {NZ}) twice last spring.
Nasdaq eyes prize
Randwick, Listed Darley Lohnro Plate, $140,000, 1000m
Debutant Nasdaq Dubai (Not A Single Doubt) is bred to be a class operator and has a recent 1.8l trial victory at Rosehill to his credit. He’s a half-brother to Tell Me (Choisir), who ran well in this race on debut in 2018, before going on to secure a black-type placing in the Listed Gosford Guineas.
Conexy (Nicconi) is the most experienced in this field and has claimed the scalp of Baby Wong (Press Statement), who was far from disgraced in the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic. Hugh Bowman can press forward to lead or box seat from the inside draw and use his mount’s fitness and experience to dictate proceedings.
Stablemates Testimonial (Megdalia D’Oro {USA}) and Retrieval (Megdalia D’Oro {USA}) look the best of the rest and can announce themselves as Godolphin’s leading juvenile prospects, ahead of next month’s G1 Golden Slipper S.
Peltzer crosses the pacific
Randwick, G3 Aquis Eskimo Prince S. $160,000, 1200m
Peltzer (So You Think {NZ}) matched motors with boom juvenile sprinters Anders (Not A Single Doubt) and Rothfire (Rothesay) first and second-up in the spring, before winning the G2 Stan Fox S. and Bondi S. when stepping out beyond 1400 metres. He presents as a G1 Doncaster Mile prospect this time in, but a recent trial victory indicates that he’s forward enough to be winning here.
North Pacific (Brazen Beau) performed well during his spring campaign, placing in the G2 Run to the Rose and G1 Golden Rose S. The exciting colt looks set for a big autumn and can kick-start things with a strong showing here.
North Pacific
Prague (Redoute’s Choice) resumes for new trainer Annabel Neasham after producing a smart trial behind classy mare Mizzy (Zoustar). He’s drawn wide, barrier eight, in a small field, but possess the gate speed to work across and take up a forward position.
Tommy Gold (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) has the ability to handle the class rise here. He finished 1.8l behind R. Listed Inglis Sprint fancy The Bopper (Nicconi) at this track and trip first-up in the spring.
Legend chasing black type
Randwick, Listed Davali Thoroughbreds Cup, $125,000, 1600m
All Time Legend (Zoustar) continues to fly the flag for veteran horseman Les Bridge and the consistent 4-year-old gets his first crack at black type here and can measure up with only 53kg on his back.
Imported European stayer Mount Popa (Ire) (Maxios {GB}) is a proven first-up performer but resumes well short of his best distance. He’s drawn to land midfield with cover and should get a nice run in transit.
Shared Ambition (Ire) (Born To Sea {Ire}) failed to live up to lofty expectations during the spring and hasn’t won a race in his last eight starts. He has a touch of class and will improve with this run under his belt.
Order Again (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) is racing solidly and has to be considered while Harengawe (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) will be helped by a step up in trip and wouldn't mind a rain-affected track.
Concert in tune
New Plymouth, G3 Powerworx Taranaki Cup, NZ$75,000, 1800m
Concert Hall (NZ) (Savabeel) certainly looks the horse to beat in this lineup following her last-start success in the G1 Zabeel Classic. This is a step back in class and it will be a surprise of she doesn’t prove superior.
Stablemate Sherrif (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) hasn’t had the best of runs in his last two starts and adds to trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood’s prospects while Fiscal Fantasy (Skilled) produced a much-improved effort for second in the G3 Trentham S.
Vernanme (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) won well two runs back before he was unplaced in the Zabeel Classic and a drop back in trip should help.
Platinum Invader (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) flew home to finish runner-up in the G3 City of Auckland Cup and has been freshened since so this trip might be ideal. Camino Rocoso (NZ) (Shocking) can be a threat provided he doesn’t over-race, which brought about his last-start downfall.
Winning run to continue
New Plymouth, G3 Woburn Farm 2YO Classic, NZ$70,000, 1200m
Quattro Quinta (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) claimed the Listed Wellesley S. last time out and in a moderate lineup here can be expected to make it two on the bounce.
He beat Wolfgang (NZ) (Puccini {NZ}) and Magneto (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) at Trentham so they are obvious place contenders again and Hillaby (Shooting To Win) was a last-start third and being lightly-tried is open to further improvement.
Ima Roca Bee (NZ) (El Roca) has looked good with a couple of trial wins and also has an ideal gate while Madam Sass (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) is another debutante with the benefit of a home track advantage.
Outstanding prospect
New Plymouth, Listed Fasttrack Insurance Oaks Prelude, NZ$55,000, 1800m
Lily’s Lady (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) hasn’t won yet, but has a gilt-edged opportunity to open her account here. She is back in grade after finishing runner-up in the G2 Royal S. on New Year’s Day.
Signora Nera (NZ) (Sweynesse) was third in the G3 Eulogy S. and forget her last run after she was blocked for room while stablemate Sumi (NZ) (Atlante) can also be forgiven after the saddle slipped on her at Awapuni.
Providenceprovides (Real Impact {Jpn}) won her maiden well enough to suggest she can measure up in this company. In a field with a lengthy tail, last-start winners Carolina Reaper (NZ) (Vespa {NZ}), Spine Tingle (NZ) (Super Easy {NZ}) and Surprize Me (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) are also in the picture.
Be Gallant again
Wingatui, G3 White Robe Lodge WFA, NZ$70,000, 1600m
Gallant Boy (NZ) (Gallant Guru) may be a 10-year-old, but his last-start Listed Timaru Cup win shows there’s plenty of life in him yet. Owen Patrick (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) is genuine and likely to give another strong account of himself.
Killarney (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) is the defending champion and he got home well for sixth in the Listed Timaru S. and an effort that suggested he’s in with a chance of going close to a repeat.
Ray’s In Command (NZ) (Raise The Flag {GB}) is a progressive type and a last-start open handicap winner for the fifth win of his 14-start career while Belle Fascino (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) will be dangerous if left alone in front.
Time to strike
Wingatui, Listed Mediaworks Dunedin Guineas, NZ$50,000, 1500m
The promising Watchmaker (NZ) (Pins) didn’t have the best of luck when sixth in the G1 Levin Classic so back in this class he’s going to be tough to roll.
Showemhowitsdone (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) was a smart winner of the Listed Gore Guineas and while Chokito (NZ) (Vespa {NZ}) is also going particularly well and looks a major player.
Robert Dennis has a strong hand with The Gift (NZ) (Power {GB}) and Ocean Point (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) engaged and both are in good form.
Mare makes sense
Wingatui, Listed Nellies Restaurant & Bar Dunedin Gold Cup, NZ$50,000, 2400m
Dee And Gee (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) was unplaced in the G3 Wellington Cup, but less than 4l off the winner so if she handles the back-up is right in the frame.
Who Dares Wins (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) will appreciate a 3kg drop in weight and is proven in better company and Beached As Bro (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) won the Cup Trial well enough to side with him again.
Zareeba (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) has won her last two well enough in weaker company to suggest she can make an impact. Riviera Rock (NZ) (Rock ‘N’ Pop) was runner-up in the Waikouaiti Cup and the extra 200 metres should suit him.
