Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Malkovich to dominate again
Caulfield, G3 Neds Sir John Monash S., $160,000, 1100m
Progressive colt Malkovich (Choisir) has earned a shot at Group grade after dominating his rivals when lumping a big weight here last start.
The Bjorn Baker-trained talent can win at this level but only gets 0.5kg on his main male rivals and is to carry an extra 1.5kgs than better-performed mares Villami (Foxwedge) and Propelle (Smart Missile).
The aforementioned Villami resumes from an extended injury layoff and has trialled up well in preparation for this feature event.
She draws awkwardly in barrier nine but is a proven fresh performer who relishes the 1100 metre journey.
Ex-WA galloper Red Can Man (Gingerbread Man) was far from disgraced when finishing seventh in a tightly contested finish at Flemington on resumption.
He is known to improve second-up and boasts multiple strong showings at Group 1 level back home. Barrier five is another positive for the David Brideoake-trained gelding.
Viridine (Poet’s Voice {GB}) was tremendous at Randwick last start over 1100 metres when required to lump a big weight. He gets into this event well at the weights and was second behind mudlark Jungle Edge (Dubawi {Ire}) in this race last year.
Order Of Command (Squamosa) boasts an excellent fresh record and proved his class at the highest level last preparation when finishing second behind star sprinter Eduardo (Host {Chi}) at Rosehill.
The only knock here is his outside draw, barrier 12, but if the speed is on and the track plays to those back in the field expect a bold showing.
Rubi back in action
Randwick, Listed Drinkwise Winter S., $150,000, 1400m
Victorian-based mare Rubisaki (Rubick) returns north of the border in pursuit of her first victory since last April. She boasts a flawless three-from-three record in Sydney and won a fiercely contested Group 2 affair at this track and trip in the autumn.
The Patrick Payne-trained 4-year-old reunites with Nash Rawiller and has hardly put a foot wrong this preparation albeit without winning.
Bandersnatch (Casino Prince) was an impressive last-start winner at Rosehill over this journey. He presents here fourth-up and is capable of extending his good fortune with luck in running from barrier seven.
Lightly raced gelding Riodini (NZ) (Proisir) looks forward enough to be winning on resumption. The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained talent won a recent 1250 metre trial by 3.8l and will put himself up on speed under Tim Clark.
Former French-galloper Ziegfeld (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) steps out for his second start on Australian soil after knocking up into a distant fifth on debut back in February.
The lightly raced 4-year-old won a recent trial over 1100 metres and will relish the testing track conditions, while Tricky Gal (Magic Albert) is capable of turning the tables on Bandersnatch this time in with luck in running.
Amasenus aims for seven
Belmont, Listed Beaufine S., $100,000, 1000m
Miss Conteki (Eurozone) had strung four wins together before being knocked off by Long Beach (I Am Invincible) at her most recent contest.
The Simon Miller-trained mare sticks to a distance that she boasts five wins and one second from six starts and will again be flashing late under star hoop William Pike.
The aforementioned Long Beach is three from four at this track and trip and presents here fourth-up and ready to produce another peak performance.
Barrier one will allow the consistent gelding to press forward in an attempt to steal the race from the front.
Nerodio (Playing God) is a classy operator but will be forced to lump the top weight of 58kgs and in turn, gives his key rivals a 4kg advantage at the weights.
Gemma’s Son (Snippetson) has been up for some time now but continues to find himself right around the mark. He draws superbly in barrier six and is yet to miss the money from nine attempts at this sprint trip, while Amasenus (Time For War) is shooting for her seventh win in a row when she steps out here.
