Aegon adds interest
Rosehill, G2 City Tattersalls Club Hobartville S., $400,000, 1400m
Undefeated New Zealand raider Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) brings a great deal of intrigue to this already ultra-competitive 3-year-old feature. His two most recent wins have come by narrow margins over a mile and now dropping back to 1400 metres he might be vulnerable.
All four of his wins to date have been on rain-affected tracks and he is all but certain to again get a desired slow surface. While he might be caught for speed here, this race looks a perfect springboard toward next fortnight’s G1 Randwick Guineas.
Peltzer (So You Think {NZ}) powered to victory first-up over 1200 metres, claiming the scalp of well-supported colt North Pacific (Brazen Beau) who was brave in defeat.
North Pacific is yet to miss the placings from four attempts at Rosehill. He was also enormous at this track and trip in the G1 Golden Rose last preparation, reeling off strong closing sectionals to finish 0.2l behind star stablemate and G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon).
Prague (Redoute’s Choice) finished strong alongside North Pacific in his first start for new trainer Annabel Neasham. He is a winner at this track and Group 1-placed at 1400 metres as a 2-year-old, finishing second in the G1 Sires' Produce.
Team Snowden are expecting multiple Group 1-winning colt King’s Legacy (Redoute’s Choice) to rebound from a disappointing spring campaign. Look for him to be hitting the line with intent late.
Slipper picture shaping up
Rosehill, G2 Iron Jack Silver Slipper S., $250,000, 1100m
Unbeaten Godolphin colt Paulele (Dawn Approach {Ire}) heads a field of high-class juveniles in a race that will undoubtedly assist in shaping next month’s G1 Golden Slipper S. field.
He has been forward in both wins to date and was given a softer trial over 735 metres at Randwick last fortnight. This could prove a beneficial experiment as he can now potentially offset the wide draw, barrier nine, by taking a sit rather than attempting to cross and being posted.
All eyes will be on the $1.1 million Team Hawkes-trained debutant Dio (Zoustar). The brother to former superstar juvenile Sunlight (Zoustar) has trialled up well for this and looks forward enough to figure.
Highly-rated colt Home Affairs (I Am Invincible) can turn the tables on Zethus (Exceed And Excel) after being nosed out on debut in a thrilling finish in the G3 Canonbury S. last start.
Tiger Of Malay (Extreme Choice) trialled up well behind R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Shaquero (Shalaa {Ire}) and boom colt Remarque (Snitzel) last Thursday over 900 metres. He’s drawn awkwardly in barrier eight but with speed drawn to his outside he can still find cover in a three-wide position.
Rocket Tiger (Cluster) accounted for highly-touted filly Vandoula Lass (Vancouver) last time out and is yet to taste defeat. He will need to go to another level if he’s to kickstart his career with a hat-trick but can certainly measure up box seating from barrier two.
Positive conditions prevail
Rosehill, G2 Irresistible Pools & Spas Millie Fox S., $200,000, 1300m
Positive Peace (Stratum) doesn’t boast an imposing fresh record with only one win from six attempts. However, she does measure up well against this field after announcing herself as a genuine black-type mare in the spring. A lack of speed here plays into her favour and will allow Josh Parr to dictate proceedings on his own terms from the front.
The main danger may be Madam Rogue (Zoustar) who was scratched as a result of the deteriorating Randwick surface last weekend and looks to again find slow going.
Asiago (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) is a proven fresh performer who is yet to miss the placings in four attempts. Last time in she won the Listed Mona Lisa S. over 1350 metres and in the preparation prior to that finished only 1.2l behind Positive Peace. She is also a proven wet performer.
Subpoenaed (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) has plenty against her here upon resumption, despite having split leading chances Positive Peace and Asiago last time in.
She is known for her flashing light runs, but on a likely slow surface her turn of foot will be diminished and may leave her vulnerable over 1300 metres.
Sacramento and Mustajeer collide
Rosehill, Listed Parramatta Cup, $140,000, 1900m
Lightweight hopeful Sacramento (Pierro) looks ready to make the step-up to Listed level after progressing through his grades comfortably this time in. He maps to get a good run up on speed from barrier six and will prove hard to run down dropping back in trip.
Resuming import Collide (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is first-up in Australia for trainer Kris Lees after contesting the G2 Prix Kergolay over 3000 metres in France at his most recent race start.
Mustajeer (GB) (check cap)
Stablemate Mustajeer (GB) (Medicean {GB}) won this race carrying 60.5kgs first-up last year before going on to finish second behind the high-class Master Of Wine (Ger) (Maxios {GB}) and Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) at Group level in his next two starts.
He failed to place in five attempts during the spring, but was far from disgraced in the G1 Caulfield Cup.
Former Irish galloper Dadoozdart (GB) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) remains unplaced in seven attempts on Australian soil. Both his runs this time in have been uninspiring, but now third-up and stepping out in trip he can improve.
Interstate gallopers reign supreme
Morphettville, G3 Lord Reims S., $122,250, 2600m
Progressive staying mare Traleee Rose (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) will get no better chance to salute at Group level than she does here.
If she can replicate her performance when winning the Listed Bagot H. by 7l over 2800 metres on New Year’s Day this race is hers for the taking.
Lightly-raced European import Long Arm (Ire) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) looms as Tralee Rose’s main danger. He presents here three weeks between runs after accounting for a strong BM78 field at Caulfield.
The Matt Cumani-trained Tarn’s Prince (Unencumbered) is another Victorian raider seeking top level success in a weaker jurisdiction. He may not have the ability or scope that his key rivals possess, but Cumani is an astute trainer of stayers and can’t be dismissed.
Premiership leader Jessica Eaton partners the front running Richard and Michael Freedman-trained gelding Mushaireb (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). He was a last-start in the Listed Australia Day Cup when finishing fourth and on exposed form may have the measure of all bar Tralee Rose and Long Arm.
Rocket one to beat
Ellerslie, G2 AJC Avondale Guineas, NZ$120,000, 2100m
Rocket Spade (Fastnet Rock) will be the popular fancy and it will be a surprise if he doesn’t claim top honours. He won the G2 Auckland Guineas then finished runner-up in older company, giving the winner 8kg.
Milford (NZ) (Savabeel) stepped up to a middle distance for the first time in the Listed Salver and duly broke his maiden. He is a progressive type and might provide the stiffer opposition to the favourite.
Jason Belltree (NZ) (Ferlax {NZ}) was second in the Auckland Guineas and a respectable last-start fourth in an open handicap while Lord Ardmore (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) came on late for seventh in the R. Listed Karaka Million 3YO Classic and this trip suits him better.
Tannahill (NZ) (Star Witness) was a handy fifth in the G2 Waikato Guineas and a chance if he handles the seven day back-up and the filly Il Affare (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) was a luckless last-start fourth and a decent place hope.
Twinkle time
Ellerslie, G2 Wallen Concreting Avondale Cup, NZ$100,000, 2400m
In A Twinkling (Fastnet Rock) has been genuine at weight-for-age and under handicap conditions and should prove a handful again. He also drops 3kg on his runner-up finish in the Karaka Cup.
Sound (Ger) (Lando {Ger}) won the G2 Sandown Classic over this trip two runs back and then found 1800 metres too short. He will appreciate a genuine tempo and is rarely far from the action.
Platinum Invader (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) was second in the G2 City of Auckland Cup over this course and distance to draw attention to his prospects again. Swords Drawn (Camelot {GB}) and Star Tsar (Fastnet Rock) look two of the form runners off the minimum.
Te Akau Caliburn (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) didn’t have the best of runs when sixth in the G3 Wellington Cup and might be one for value.
