Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Dzsenifer more than capable
Sunshine Coast, G3 Winx Guineas, $175,000, 1600m
Dzsenifer (Scissor Kick) has been set for this race and is more than capable of gifting trainer Gary Duncan back-to-back victories in this feature.
The lightly raced prospect resumed in good order when finishing 0.5l third in a competitive 1350 metre event at Ipswich and will relish stepping out in trip here.
Tumbler Ridge (Spill The Beans) is a classy individual but will be right up against it here on an unsuitable wet surface and to make matters worse he has drawn the far outside, barrier 16.
He’s certainly good enough to be winning but will need plenty of luck and drying conditions.
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Our Playboy (Sebring) has finished within 2l of the winner at his three runs this time in and will be another who is set to relish the extra distance on offer.
Expect him to secure a lovely run in transit from barrier seven and to be given every chance at success.
Tamilaide (Adelaide {Ire}) comes through weaker form lines than her key rivals but looks a progressive filly. She is proven on Heavy conditions and can go one better than last start with more luck here, while Palaisipan (So You Think {NZ}) is capable of extending her unbeaten streak to five here.
Conditions to suit
Sunshine Coast, Listed Allchin Airconditioning & Refrigeration Caloundra Cup, $175,000, 2400m
Wu Gok (Sebring) overaced out in front last start to knock up into a distant sixth when dropping back to 2000 metres.
He steps back up in trip for this event and gets suitable Heavy conditions once again.
The Joseph Pride-trained Stockman (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) broke a recent run of outs when saluting by 1.3l last start at Rosehill. He steps back up to a distance where he has been right around the mark at and is three from four on Heavy ground.
Flash Aah (Lucas Cranach {Ger}) finished third behind Happy Go Plucky (Pluck {USA}) last start in a competitive edition of the Listed Ipswich Cup.
The pair are best of the locals but will need to go to another level to knock off Sydney raiders Wu Gok and Stockman.
Niccanova in the money
Sunshine Coast, Listed TAB Glasshouse H., $175,000, 1400m
Niccanova (Nicconi) returned with a strong Group 2 victory this time in and hasn’t been disgraced in his two runs since.
Last start he was only 3l behind Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) in the G1 Stradbroke H. after enduring a luckless run in transit. If he brings that form here he will be hard to hold out despite drawing poorly out in barrier 20.
New Zealand Group-placed mare Coventina Bay (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) has failed to fire a shot in her two starts on Australian soil. However, this event is a step back in class and she could show her best with luck from barrier 18.
Snitch (Lope De Vega {Ire}) presents here third-up after producing strong closing splits to run over his rivals at Ipswich. The 6-year-old gelding should improve again based on the merit of his last start and has the weight advantage on key rivals.
Emerald Kingdom (Bryannbo’s Gift {NZ}) knocked off star mare Tofane two back when winning the G3 BRC Sprint and was only beaten 1.9l in the G1 Stradbroke H. at his last start. He will carry 59kgs for this event and should be right around the mark if he presents here in the same order.
Ready to Roll
Flemington, Listed Seppelt Wines VRC-CRV Winter Championships Series Final, $160,000, 1600m
Dice Roll (Fr) (Showcasing {GB}) will be out to extend his undefeated streak on Australian soil to four when he steps out here.
The Nick Ryan-trained gelding proved too good for Group 2-winning mare Rubisaki (Rubick) here last start over 1400 metres and should relish stepping out over further.
Odeon (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}) looms as the likely danger to Dice Roll’s chances despite being a notorious non-winner. In typical Odeon fashion, he has been right around the mark this preparation finishing in the money on all three occasions without winning.
He was only 1.1l behind Dice Roll last start but was fading late while the winner powered away.
Adelaide Ace (NZ) (Savabeel) broke an extended run of outs when saluting over 1600 metres at Swan Hill last start. He presents here rock-hard fit and is a Group winner in his own right.
Kirwan’s Lane (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) makes the journey down from Sydney after finishing third over 1600 metres at Randwick.
She draws in barrier one and could find herself smothered up with nowhere to go in her first anti-clockwise start under race conditions.
Look to the stars
Flemington, Listed Furphy All Victorian Sprint Series Final, $160,000, 1200m
The Astrologist (Zoustar) was a gutsy winner here last start when leading the field up and holding on to score narrowly. He steps up to 100 metres in trip and won’t be at a disadvantage as a result. He draws in barrier seven and can again control the speed out in front.
The Danny O’Brien-trained Banquo (Written Tycoon) was only beaten 1.2l behind The Astrologist on resumption and will improve here second-up. She’s not as effective over this trip but is a proven second-up performer.
Hi Stranger (Zoffany {Ire}) powered home to only narrowly miss behind The Astrologist last start and while he’s yet to win over 1200 metres in seven attempts this looks the perfect progression. Drawn in barrier 13 he can stalk the speed and let down with another explosive finish down the outside fence.
Elite fresh performer Isaurian (Exceed And Excel) has trialled up well enough for his return here. The Godolphin galloper will be forced to lump the top weight of 59kgs but holds a class edge over his rivals. The 6-year-olds first-up record currently stands at five wins and one-third from six attempts.
Chalmer ready
Belmont, Listed Belmont Oaks, $100,000, 2000m
Sheza Chalmer (Vital Equine {Ire}) let down with a strong turn of foot to score here over 1600 metres last fortnight. The ever-consistent filly looks suited stepping up from the mile and can make it two in succession if Patrick Carberry can find an out from barrier one.
Tri For Us (Vital Equine {Ire}) is yet to miss the money in seven career starts and can again be right around the mark. She was well held when third last start by Sheza Chalmer and will need to find another gear to square the ledger.
Baronova (Fiorente {Ire}) is shooting for four on the trot when she steps out here. While she has won all three of those starts in commanding fashion this is a big rise in class and she could find her rivals a bit sharp dropping back from 2300 metres.
Rebel Heart (More Than Ready {USA}) is another stepping right up in class. The Darren McAuliffe-trained galloper gets star local hoop William Pike in the saddle and can’t be discredited based on that alone.
Crescent City most impressive
Belmont, Listed Aquanita S., $100,000, 2000m
Crescent City (Fiorente {Ire}) has been most impressive in his five career starts to date and is yet to miss the money from five attempts. The Grant and Alana Williams-trained gelding secures the services of William Pike and looks ready for the step up to 2000 metres after winning his last two on the trot.
Kerman Rock (Snippeston) chased home Sheza Chalmer gamely into second last start over 1600 metres. The extra 400 metres on offer will be right up his alley and he brings the superior form lines into this event than his key rivals.
Tradem’ In (Trade Fair {GB}) is another crying out for the 2000 metre journey after coming from back in the field to score over a shorter trip. He draws out in barrier 10 but can settle off the speed and let rip when the whips get cracking.
Art Warrior (My Admiration) lines up at his third career start here. The least experienced galloper in the field remains a maiden but he did enough last start to suggest he is the progressive type.
