Moonee Valley: Listed Measure Consulting Engineers Torney Night Cup, $200,000, 2500m
In-form Phillip Stokes-trained 4-year-old Daqiansweet Junior (NZ) (Sweet Orange {USA}) is aiming for his fifth-straight win, tackling stakes company for the first time since he arrived in Australia.
He has been a bit of a revelation for Stokes in the OTI Racing colours, winning twice at this track through the summer, including at this distance last time out when setting a new track record. This looks an ideal race for him.
The consistent Skelm (Animal Kingdom {USA}) looks his major threat having finished second in the Listed Bagot H. two back and then through an 1800-metre tune-up run, when he finished a closing eighth. He doesn’t have the strong record at the track, but will no doubt stick on strongly over the 2500 metres.
The Cindy Alderson-trained Za'ex (Exopshere) is in-form, winning races at Cranbourne and The Valley since the start of the year. He has never been out to this trip before but it shouldn’t be a major challenge.
The other OTI Racing runner, Future Score (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), has been in better company for much of the past 18 months since winning the Listed Cranbourne Cup in 2020. He does carry the impost of 60.5kg, which may prove a task for him first-up off a break.
New Plymouth: Listed Grangewilliam Stud 'Derryn' Oaks Prelude, NZ$60,000, 1800m
The John Wheeler-trained Le Villi (NZ) (Puccini {NZ}) is searching for a hat-trick of victories and her first stakes success as one of the leading chances in the Listed Oaks Prelude.
She broke her maiden at Otaki two starts back and then successfully stepped up in class to win a 1600-metre race at Te Rapa quite comfortably. This is another rise in distance and class, but she does appear to be progressive.
Stephen Marsh has two Oaks prospects coming through this race, with Miss Ella (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) the leading chance. A winner of one of her five starts, she was only beaten 3.3l when sixth in the R. Listed Karaka Million 3YO Classic last time out.
Marsh's other contender is Eva Chiara (NZ) (Savabeel), who was second at this track recently.
Jamie Richards' Outfit (NZ) (Tivaci) didn't quite measure up to the class of the G2 Royal S. last time out, but does drop in class and is freshened up back to the 1800 metres.
Nom De Plume (NZ) (El Roca), from the in-form Robbie Patterson stable could be the filly who steps up here. Her two runs at this track have been very good and she wasn't far behind Eva Chiara last time out. This is just her third start, so she is open to considerable improvement.
