Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Juveniles enter the unknown
G1 Longines Golden Slipper S., $3,500,000, 1200m
Profiteer (Capitalist) suffered his first defeat last-start, going down to a fast-finishing Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}) by the narrowest of margins. There he was four weeks between runs and wanted to over-race out in front.
Like his fellow juvenile rivals, the testing conditions are an unknown and could bring about his downfall if he doesn’t relax under Hugh Bowman.
Stay Inside (Extreme Choice) was luckless last time out in the G2 Todman S. when held up until the final furlong. When the Richard and Michael Freedman-trained colt finally found an out he went on to savage the line. Tommy Berry has secured the ride after James McDonald committed to trainer Chris Waller and will give the star 2-year-old every chance at success.
Classy filly Four Moves Ahead (Snitzel) looks the key danger to the two star colts. Drawn in barrier 10, she can roll back under Nash Rawiller and come at the leaders late.
Four Moves Ahead | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Last-start G1 Blue Diamond S. winner Artorius (Flying Artie) will look to achieve a rare juvenile feature double when he steps out here. The flashy Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained colt seemed to handle the clockwise circuit when tested in a recent Randwick trial and should have no excuses.
Ingratiating (Frosted {USA}) failed to fire in the G3 Pago Pago S. and if he can reproduce his impressive second-placed performance in the G1 Blue Diamond S. he can be prominent.
Fellow Godolphin colt Anamoe was impressive at his first Sydney attempt, winning a strong edition of the G2 Todman S.
Can Mo’unga Roar?
G1 Sky Racing Rosehill Guineas, $600,000, 2000m
Mo’unga (NZ) (Savabeel) was a hard luck story in the Randwick Guineas when finishing second behind Lion’s Roar (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}). He found himself stuck in between runners at a vital stage and flashed late. If he handles the bottomless surface, he can turn the tables on Lion’s Roar, who himself looks to be better suited out to 2000 metres.
Lone filly Montefilia (Kermadec {NZ}) was slow into stride first-up over 1400 metres in the G1 Surround S. Now second-up and getting out over distance where she’s beaten Lion’s Roar at Group 1 level should see her right in the money.
Wheelhouse (Pierro) was impressive in defeat in the G1 Randwick Guineas. There he sat four wide on a hot speed and still found the line strongly. Like many of his rivals, the step-up in trip will be of benefit.
Khoekhoe (Turffontein) looks ready for 2000 metres, but will need to scale new heights to be competitive while Lunar Fox (Foxwedge) has to handle a seven day back-up following a strong All-Star Mile showing.
Stars renew rivalry
G1 Ranvet S., $700,000, 2000m
Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) and Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) renew their rivalry 12 months after the former prevailed in a stirring contest. The William Haggas-trained Addeybb has since scaled further heights, winning a Group 1 on home soil in England over 2000 metres.
The pair have both plotted the exact same path as last year with Addeybb resuming from a five-month layoff while Verry Elleegant presents third-up. So, sit back, relax and enjoy what these two stars produce as both gallopers relish a rain-affected surface and have drawn alongside each other in barrier two and three.
The Team Hawkes-trained Master Of Wine (Ger) (Maxios {GB}) looms a possible danger to the headline pair, while Nettoyer (Sebring) can improve second-up and stepping out over a more suitable trip.
Tailleur’s baptism of fire
G1 Bisley Workwear The Galaxy S., $700,000, 1100m
The James Cummings-trained Tailleur (Shooting To Win) looks primed to add a Group 1 to her resume. The classy 4-year-old has earned her chance to compete at the highest level, progressing through her grades. With only 51kgs on her back, expect the proven mudlark to go close.
Eduardo (Host {Chi}) nosed out Nature Strip (Nicconi) last-start in a thrilling finale at even weights. The only knock on the Joseph Pride-trained gelding is that history is against him with 58kgs on his back, as only three other runners have carried more than 56.5kgs to victory in the race’s 39-year history.
Jungle Edge
Talented colt Wild Ruler (Snitzel) is a live chance after getting in with only 52kgs. He’s well weighted and has the ability, but is yet to compete on worse than a Soft track.
The Chris Waller-trained Haut Brion Her (Zoustar) flies fresh, boasting three top two finishes from as many starts first-up while notorious mudlark Jungle Edge (Dubawi {Ire}) gets his desired bottomless conditions.
In the fun zone
G1 The Agency George Ryder S., $1,000,000, 1500m
The Chris Waller-trained Funstar (Adelaide {Ire}) looks ready to add an open age Group 1 to her already impressive CV, after finishing 0.6l fourth behind star mares Verry Elleegant and Colette (Hallowed Crown) in the G1 Chipping Norton S.
Dreamforce (Fastnet Rock) is consistent, having placed at 24 of his 37 career starts. The John Thompson-trained gelding was solid on return, finishing 2.9l fifth over 1300 metres at Randwick. He will again put in his usual brave showing despite looking out of his depth on a Heavy surface.
Dreamforce (orange silks)
Kolding (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) would prefer a better track and Godolphin gelding Avilius (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) looks to have a genuine chance at winning another Group 1, despite having spent 14 starts in exile from the winner’s stall.
The rising 7-year-old loomed to run past Verry Elleegant and Colette first-up over a mile but peaked on his run late while stablemate Cascadian (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) worked home nicely on resumption, albeit against weaker opposition.
Talented types collide
G3 XXXX N E Manion Cup, $160,000, 2400m
The Australian Bloodstock-owned import Collide (GB) (Frankel {GB}) looks ready to progress here. The former French galloper was impressive at his first Australian start, working home nicely into third behind the classy Mount Popa (Ire) (Maxios {GB}). Trained by Kris Lees the lightly raced 6-year-old can improve again stepping out over 2400 metres on a testing surface.
Sacramento (Pierro) is yet to miss the money this time in, boasting three victories and two placings from five attempts. The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained 4-year-old will be able to cross comfortably from barrier 11 and use his fitness to advantage. The only concern is that he missed the placing at his only attempt on a Heavy surface.
Addeybb’s travel companion and stablemate Favourite Moon (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ire}) lines up for his first attempt on Australian soil. The progressive 4-year-old has been impressive in his short career to date, having prevailed by 8.5l on a rain-affected surface prior to departing England.
OTI galloper Quick Thinker (So You Think {NZ}) may improve stepping out to a distance where he boasts Group 1 glory, while fellow OTI-owned gelding Selino (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) can put in an improved effort ahead of a tilt at next month’s Sydney Cup.
Beauty to bounce back
G3 TAB Birthday Card S., $160,000, 1200m
Written Beauty (Written Tycoon) was touted as a key danger to superstar sprinter Nature Strip last-start in the G2 Challenge S. However, she failed to let down but is dropping back to a more suitable class and expect her to be a big improver.
Emanate (Lonhro) had every chance to run past Vulpine (Snitzel) and Seasons (Sebring) when heavily supported at Randwick last start. She has again been identified as a key winning chance despite drawing barrier 11 and failing to place at her only attempt on a Heavy track. She’s clearly got talent, but will need to be at her absolute peak.
Written Beauty | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
The afore-mentioned Vulpine and Seasons were sound last-start, running the one-two in a strong edition of the G3 Wenona Girl Quality. Seasons can turn the tables here with luck from barrier 12, meeting Vulpine 1.5kg better off at the weights and with the benefit of a run under her belt.
Every Rose (Choisir) dismantled a strong field two back in the G2 Light Finger S. and has since produced a brave on-pace performance in the G1 Surround S. She can potentially run her rivals ragged from the front, if she gets through the wet conditions.
Baker strikes Ideel conditions
G3 Roadwork Solutions Epona S., $160,000, 1900m
The Bjorn Baker-trained She’s Ideel (Dundeel {NZ}) was brave in defeat last time out, finishing a close second behind talented stablemate Missybeel (NZ) (Savabeel). Prior to that she hit the line in the race well behind Group-performed mares. Expect her to prove hard to hold out third-up and stepping out in trip.
Polly Grey (NZ) (Azamour {Ire}) will relish the conditions on offer here. The Chris Waller-trained mare has found a rain-affected surface at 10 of her 11 top three finishes. The query is barrier 17, but with James McDonald taking the mount she will be given every chance.
Welsh Legend (Camelot {GB}) was dominant last week when winning at this track and trip and there’s no reason to suggest that he won’t handle the quick back-up.
Miss Siska (So You Think {NZ}) should have no problems getting through the going and can prove hard to run down, rolling forward from barrier two while last-start winner Missybeel can give a sight from out in front.
Isotope eyes redemption
Listed Irresistible Pools & Spas Darby Munro S., $140,000, 1200m
Isotope (Deep Field) returns after losing her rider in the R. Listed Magic Millions 3YO Guineas. She hasn’t raced for two months, but she flies fresh and loves 1200 metres, boasting three top two finishes from as many attempts.
Private Eye (Al Maher) is building an imposing record having won his last five on the trot, after going under on debut. He presents here a month between runs, but will appreciate the freshen-up. He should get every opportunity to impress from an inside barrier.
Doubtland
Doubtland (Not A Single Doubt) hit the line strongly on resumption after spotting the leaders a significant margin on straightening. Trained by Team Hawkes, the lightly raced colt is drawn to take up a more forward position from barrier three this time in.
Prague (Redoute’s Choice) wasn’t beaten far last time out in the G1 Newmarket H. finishing 1.4l back in fourth.
If he reproduces that run and gets through the bottomless going expect a forward showing while Godolphin galloper Andermatt (Snitzel) will relish the surface and won well here last month.
