Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Three on the bounce
Caulfield, G3 The Big Screen Company Bletchingly S., $160,000, 1200m
The Astrologist (Zoustar) will be seeking his third consecutive success when he steps out in this competitive sprint feature.
The Leon and Troy Corstens-trained galloper is proven at this track and trip and maps to get a nice run in transit.
Red Can Man (Gingerbread Man) broke through in fine fashion at this track and trip last start. He presents here third-up and can again prove hard to hold out late.
Viridine (Poet’s Voice {GB}) was luckless in defeat last start at this track and trip when forced to come off heels before ducking and weaving between runners in the straight.
Dual Group 1 winner Streets Of Avalon (Magnus) makes his resumption.
The Shane Nichols-trained galloper will press forward from barrier five and prove hard to run down, while Order Of Command (Squamosa) can bounce back from an unplaced effort on resumption with luck in running.
Cristo's suitable surface
Rosehill, Listed XXXX Winter Challenge, $150,000, 1500m
Kirwan’s Lane (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) tackled a top-class winter stakes race at Flemington earlier this month. He presents here three-weeks between runs and will excel at this track and trip.
Order Again (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) has finished in the minor money at all three starts this preparation albeit a substantial margin behind the winner.
He draws poor in barrier eight here but will get the services of Hugh Bowman to offset that.
Godolphin galloper Ziegfeld (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) was beaten 7.4l into fourth at his second start on Australian soil earlier this month.
He draws the far outside here, barrier nine, but can settle back in the field and work home hard on a firmer surface, while Countofmontecristo (NZ) (Echoes Of Heaven) is another who will be looking to bounce back on a more suitable surface.
Nerodio dominant
Belmont, Listed HG Bolton Sprint, $100,000, 1200m
Nerodio (Playing God) asserted his dominance last start and can again show his superiority against similar opposition.
The rising 6-year-old's last three victories have come over 1000 metres. However, he is at no disadvantage stepping up to 1200 metres as he boasts 12 podium finishes from 15 attempts.
The resuming Last Of The Line (Blackfriars) profiles as Nerodio’s main danger here.
The Simon Miller-trained galloper has proven himself at this level but could find these a touch too sharp fresh.
Amasenus (Time For War) found herself too far back in the run last start and ran out of time to get over the the top. She steps up from 1000 metres and will get every chance to reel in her rivals under Chris Parnham, while Montelena (Rubick) secures the services of star hoop William Pike for her first-up assignment.
Tavis Court key contender
Taranaki, Listed Powerworx Opunake Cup, NZ$70,000, 1400m
Justaskme (NZ) (No Excuse Needed {GB}) is capable of breaking through here third-up off the back of two pleasing runs this time in.
The lightly raced rising 6-year-old has won three from four at this track and twice over the 1400 metre journey. So, expect him to relish stepping up from 1200 metres.
Spring Tide (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) is shooting for three on the trot when he steps out here.
The Chrissy Bambry-trained gelding will be required to do plenty of work from barrier 10. However, his class is enough to see him fight out the finish.
The ever-consistent Tavis Court (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) saluted by 4.3l last start and is another key contender in this event despite stepping up in class.
The Anna Clement-trained 5-year-old maps to get a nice run from barrier six, while London’s Express (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) can return to her winning ways here with luck in running.
