Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
The final crusade
Randwick, G1 Schweppes All Aged S., $600,000, 1400m
Masked Crusader (Toronado {Ire}) eyes a second Group 1 after saluting in the G1 William Reid S. prior to finishing second behind star sprinter Nature Strip (Nicconi) in the G1 TJ Smith S. last time out.
The Team Hawkes-trained gelding savaged the line late after being held up in the straight and looks set to relish the step out in trip.
He’s drawn awkwardly in barrier 10 but can settle back nearest to last and produce out wide with a strong run under leading hoop Tommy Berry.
The Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra-trained Zoutori (Zoustar) was beaten a distant fourth in the G1 TJ Smith S. last time out. However, prior to that he was an impressive winner in the G1 Newmarket H. down the Flemington straight.
He’s proven over 1400 metres boasting three top three finishes from five attempts and can figure prominently here with luck in running.
Kolding (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) drops back in trip after finishing down the track in the G1 Doncaster H. He’s yet to win this time in but has been around the mark during his first three attempts. Now fifth-up and rock hard fit he can force the issue pressing forward from barrier three in attempt of running his rivals into the ground.
Classy Godolphin galloper Savatiano (Street Cry {Ire}) returns after notching up a well-deserved Group 1 success earlier last month. She has the ability to match motors with Masked Crusader on her day while stablemate Cascadian (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) drops back in trip after prevailing in the G1 Doncaster H. last fortnight.
Classy colts contend
Randwick, G1 Moët & Chandon Champagne S., $500,000, 1600m
The Team Hawkes-trained Hilal (Fastnet Rock) was a strong finisher behind superstar colt Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}) in last fortnight’s G1 Sires’ Produce S. There he was forced back and wide after drawing out wide. Here he’s drawn superbly in barrier four and can settle in a more prominent position prior to presenting with a strong run on straightening. He looks primed for the step out to a mile.
Captivant (Capitalist) also comes through a placing in the G1 Sires’ Produce S. finishing 0.2l behind Hilal in third.
He presents here fourth-up from a spell and looks set to peak stepping out over a mile.
Barrier one gives James McDonald the opportunity to hold a more forward position and take luck out of the equation.
Queen Of Wizardry (Not A Single Doubt) was a big improver last time out, working home into fifth in the same race as Hilal and Captivant. Like the aforementioned pair she will relish the mile and improve on what she put together last time out.
Impressive last start winner Converge (Frankel {GB}) presents on the quick back-up after accounting for fellow accepters Maurice’s Medad (Maurice {Jpn}) and Akahata (Pins) in the G3 Fernhill S. The trio are proven over a mile but will need to improve significantly to match motors with their more credentialled rivals.
Classy filly to shine
Randwick, G3 Mostyn Copper J H B Carr S., $160,000, 1400m
Star Thoroughbreds filly Kiku (Zoustar) is shooting for four on the trot when she steps out here. Yet to miss the money from eight career attempts the talented full sibling to Group 1 winner Zoutori can again extend her good fortune with luck from barrier five. The Chris Waller-trained 3-year-old beat a quality field last time out and should have no problems dropping back from a mile fourth-up.
Matchmaker (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) was a gallant last-start victor holding out the fast-finishing Marboosha (Dream Ahead {USA}) to notch up a maiden black type success.
There she looked to peak on her run over the concluding stages at 1200 metres. However, she is proven at this trip, having placed at her only attempt.
Godolphin galloper Geist (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) flashed home into third behind Matchmaker and Marboosha last-start, clocking the fourth-fastest last 400 metre split on the day. She’s been up a while but can improve vastly stepping out over what looks to be a desirable trip.
The lightly raced I Say Hello (Iffraaj {GB}) is building an imposing record having won his previous two in succession. This is a big rise in class, but he has the talent and scope to measure up.
Lion to Roar
Randwick, G3 ACY Securities Frank Packer Plate, $160,000, 2000m
G1 Randwick Guineas winner Lion’s Roar (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) comes through a most impressive third placing in the G1 Australian Derby after finishing a luckless fourth in the G1 Rosehill Guineas. He drops back in trip from 2400 metres here but on class alone he should be winning. The only knock is that this race is an afterthought.
The Matt Cumani-trained Khoekhoe (Turffontein) looks primed to peak here fourth-up and dropping back in trip. His effort over a mile and a-half last-start in the G1 Australian Derby was commendable but he looked to peak on his run late in the piece. Expect a bold showing from the Victorian galloper with astute hoop Craig Williams in the saddle.
High Supremacy (Savabeel) steps out beyond a mile for the first time in his career after finishing fourth last time in. This is a far stronger field and he will need to find another gear to be winning despite being bred to stay the trip, while lightly raced Team Hawkes-trained prospect Sanatadeal (Dundeel {NZ}) comes through a Ballarat maiden victory over 2000 metres on April 11.
Z Z on Top
Randwick, G3 Sharp Extensive IT JRA Plate, $160,000, 2000m
Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) is having his second start on Australian soil for trainer Annabel Neasham, after finishing sixth in the G1 Doncaster H. There he clocked the third-best final 200 metre split on the day after being forced back and wide in running.
He finds much weaker opposition here and will be suited stepping out over a more suited distance.
Star hoop James McDonald will replace Regan Bayliss and can be beneficial to Zaaki’s chances.
Entente (Dundeel {NZ}) stuck on well behind a good last time out. He presents here three-weeks between runs and can thrive against similar class, pressing forward and taking up the running from barrier eight.
Victorian raider Hang Man (Ire) (Windsor Knot {Ire}) has won his last two in succession, accounting for quality times in the process. This is the 7-year-old’s first clockwise attempt at start number 34, while highly touted Rupert Leigh-owned Zeyrek (Fr) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) steps out after putting in a pass mark during his Australian debut earlier this month.
Class on display
Randwick, G3 TAB Hall Mark S., $160,000, 1200m
Eleven Eleven (Fastnet Rock) contested the G1 TJ Smith S. on resumption and wasn’t disgraced. He drops right back in class here and can prove hard to hold out bearing Keegan Latham can find cover from barrier 10. Staying at 1200 metres is no knock either.
The Matt Laurie-trained Alfa Oro (Bachelor Duke {USA}) contests this event after being scratched from Caulfield last weekend. The lightly raced 5-year-old was far from disgraced first-up over 1000 metres and can measure up here at distance in which he boasts three wins and a second from four attempts.
Victorem (I Am Invincible) has trailed well since suffering cardiac arrhythmia last time out. Fresh he was only beaten 2.2l by Masked Crusader (Toronado {Ire}) despite giving him 5.5kgs. The ever consistent 6-year-old is capable of producing as winning performance at this level on his day.
Signore Fox (Exceed And Excel) was impressive first-up, accounting for a quality field who had fitness on him, while Roheryn (Lonhro) returned to form in the same race, closing hard into third.
Still A Hero
Caulfield, Listed Thoroughbred Club Anniversary Vase, $140,000, 1400m
Tasmanian sweetheart Still A Star (Toronado {Ire}) can capture a maiden mainland triumph here. Last time out she was beaten in the shadows of the post by dual Group 1 winner Mr Quickie (Shamus Award). Trained by Bill Ryan the classy chestnut can settle in the box seat from barrier two and savage the line under rising hoop Michael Poy.
Riddle Me That (Deep Field) was luckless last time out behind Mr Quickie and Still A Star. Prior to that he found the line with intent over 1200 metres at The Valley. Now third-up expect a peak performance from the Matt Laurie-trained talent.
Mr Quickie (blue and white cap) | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Groundswell (Fastnet Rock) is a dual accepter for Saturday, currently holding a subsequent nomination at Morphettville. However, if he is to lineup here expect a bold showing based on his Bendigo triumph last month. Drawn in barrier four he can press forward in attempt to run his rivals ragged.
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Missile Mantra (Smart Missile) put away a quality field fresh here last fortnight. She’s only placed on the one occasion from four attempts at 1400 metres which could be a concern. However, the way she attacked the line fresh indicates another strong showing.
