Cover image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
It was a year ago that the talented Patrick Payne trained Dunkel (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) followed up his successes in the Listed Launceston Guineas and the Listed Tasmanian Derby with a Group 1 win in the South Australian Derby and the stable is looking to repeat the dose this year with Bold Soul (NZ) (Embellish {NZ}).
Also winning those two Tasmanian features, Bold Soul has an extra win on his impressive record - finishing off strongly to take out last weekend's G3 Chairmans S. at Morphettville.
That race is a proven guide to the Derby, the double claimed just two years ago by Jungle Magnate (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}) - and in 2018 by Leicester (Wanted) and two years before that by Howard Be Thy Name (Redoute's Choice).
Bold Soul on his way to winning the G3 Chairman’ S. at Morphettville | Image courtesy of Atkins Photography
The Payne stable is in great form, also winning last weekend's G2 Queen Of The South Stakes with Seonee (Winning Rupert).
Bold Soul - who has done a great job winning five of his eight starts (placing in the other three) - takes on some promising staying types on Saturday with a filly backing up from a strong finish in the G1 Australasian Oaks looking to be a major threat.
Opening up favourite Coco Sun (Autumn Sun) is looking to add to her sire's recent good record in Classic races, and she looks certain to appreciate the extra 500 metres.
Coco Sun | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
She is one of two fillies taking on the boys, with the runaway Listed VRC St Leger winner Ahuriri (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) the other. It has not been too long since a female won the race - Qafila (Not A Single Doubt) successful for Lindsay Park in 2019.
Antrim Coast (NZ) (Roc de Cambes {NZ}), Air Assault (Justify {USA}), Gold Wolf (NZ) (Tivaci), Glad You Think So (So You Think {NZ}), Warmonger (NZ) (War Decree {USA}) and Just Berrilliant (Justify) are amongst the many chances in what looks to be a strong edition of this Derby - whilst adding interest is the talented New Zealander Outovstock (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}).
G2 Queensland Guineas - anyone's race!
So even is the field for this year's G2 Queensland Guineas that the early markets seven horses open at single figure odds and it could well be that the winner does not come from that group.
There are a host of chances in a race which has a history dating back to 1896 - won by a number of horses who have gone onto bigger thinks; in recent times the Guineas won by the subsequent Group 1 winners Pear Tart (Dehere {USA}), Turffontein, Nova Star (Iglesia), Kolding (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) and Private Eye (Al Maher) whilst last year's winner Kovalica (NZ) (Ocean Park) two starts later won the G1 Queensland Derby.
Several horses in the market for that Classic take their place in this lead-up with the most strongly fancied in both races being the last star G3 Frank Packer Plate winner Kintyre (Hallowed Crown) who gives apprentice Cejay Graham a shot at Group glory.
Kintyre (orange helmet) | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Fellow last start Group 3 winner Ducasse - who was too good on pace when taking out the G3 Carbine Club S. is also a Derby contender as is Caracas (NZ) (Shocking) who, having had just three starts, is one of this race's up-and-comers.
Robrick (Invader), Razors (Sidestep) and Port Lockroy (Better Than Ready) come off encouraging runs in Sydney whilst those with good local form include the promising Eagle Farm trained pair Translantic (Snitzel) and Press Link (NZ) (Press Statement).
The former - a son of the G1 ATC Oaks heroine Gust Of Wind (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) has been out of the placings only once in seven starts whist the latter has won three of his first four starts.
G2 Victory Stakes - Group 1 form
There is some nice Group 1 form around the runners in this Group 2 contest, a race which does boast a handy record of being won by horses who have gone on to elite level success.
Golden Rhapsody (NZ) (Sharivari {USA}), Handy Proverb, Quick Flick (Spectacular Spy {USA}), Mr. Bureaucrat (Bureaucracy {NZ}), Rough Habit (NZ) (Roughcast {USA}), Swiss Ace, I Am Excited (Snitzel), Impending, Srikandi (Dubawi {Ire}) and Buffering (Mossman) have won this race on their way to Group 1 wins whilst a number of other winners had already won big races.
As is the case this year with Uncommon James (Cable Bay {Ire}) the winner of last year's G1 Oakleigh Plate whilst the stud bound Golden Mile (Astern) took out the 2022 G1 Caulfield Guineas.
Gallery: Uncommon James the winner of last year's G1 Oakleigh Plate whilst the stud-bound Golden Mile took out the 2022 G1 Caulfield Guineas, images courtesy of The Image Is Everything
The former, who boasts such a good second up record (three wins from four attempts) is favourite on the back of his close up first up fifth in the G1 Galaxy and he certainly has the the right form lines - last spring placed behind Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) in two Group 1 contests.
It has been a while since his last win whilst Golden Mile recorded a stakes victory last spring - the G2 Theo Marks S. at Rosehill.
Wee Nessy (Snitzel) is the only last start winner lining up in this race on Saturday and she looks ready to take on the boys having been so good taking out the G2 Sapphire S. at Randwick.
“There is some nice Group 1 form around the runners in this Group 2 contest, a race which does boast a handy record of being won by horses who have gone on to elite level success.”
Front Page (Magnus) was good in the Galaxy before striking heavy going in the G3 Hall Mark S. whilst Antino (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) boasts excellent fresh form - three wins from four first up runs.
The speedy Prince Of Boom (Spirit Of Boom) has some nice tie-ins with this race's history - his sire's half-brother Temple Of Boom (Piccolo {GB}) won in in 2014 whilst his trainer Robert Heathcote won it last year with Rothfire (Rothesay) and twice with Buffering in 2011 and 2013.
G3 Hawkesbury Guineas
Favourite to atone for his unlucky run behind Joliestar (Zoustar) in the G2 Arrowfield Sprint, Schwarz (Zoustar) looks nicely primed for his third up assignment - noting at at the same stage of his previous (and debut) campaign he created a big impression leading throughout in the Listed Springtime S. at Flemington.
Purchased as a stallion prospect by the Rosemont Victoria Alliance and Suman Hedge Bloodstock for $1.25 million at the 2022 Magic Millions, Schwarz is out of the Group 2 winner Summer Sham (Not A Single Doubt) and he certainly boasts an interesting pedigree with his fourth dam Shantha's Choice (Canny Lad) being the dam of the horse he is line-bred 3 X 3 to - Redoute's Choice.
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott won this race last year with the stud bound Hawaii Five Oh (I Am Invincible) and look to make it two in a row by saddling up Butch Cassidy (Written Tycoon) who at his third run last campaign was a close up fourth in the G1 Golden Rose S. won by Militarize (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}).
Schwarz | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Panic (NZ) (Time Test {GB}) is one of the runners really on the up; recording four wins from his first six starts - going through the classes nicely. Off a BM64 success at Wyong in mid-March he was able to measure up in better company taking out the Listed South Pacific S. and whilst he has drawn a tricky gate he will have plenty of fans.
Konasana (Dundeel) also comes off a stakes victory, relishing the heavy conditions in the G3 H.B James Carr S. - as does Xidaki (Zoustar) who has been kept fresh since claiming the Listed Canberra Guineas. Third in Konasana's race - doing a good job at big odds - was Hasty Honey (Epaulette).
G3 Hawkesbury Crown - black-type for the girls
First run as a Listed contest in 2010 and upgraded to its current Group 3 status in 2014, the Hawkesbury Crown has been a race for good sprinting mares; won by several who are multiple Group winners. Such as Solicit (Street Cry {Ire}), Shillelagh (NZ) (Savabeel) and Sweet Deal (Casino Prince). This year's running is an even one, five mares who are already stakes winners taking on a big field who have promised to measure up to that level.
Leading the way of those who already have valuable winning black-type is the 2022 G1 1000 Guineas winner Madame Pommery (No Nay Never {USA}). She is however amongst the emergencies and will need a bit of luck gaining a run. Assured of a place however is Banana Queen (So You Think {NZ}), last spring's G3 Tibbie S. winner who has trialled nicely in preparation for her return.
Madame Pommery | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
The Listed winners Ghaanati (Deep Impact {Jpn}), Razeta (Deep Field) and Mirra View (More Than Ready {USA}) also have solid credentials though favouritism is held by a mare yet to win at stakes level - the consistent Shadows Of Love (Dissident).
She makes her black-type debut and looks up to the task on the back of a consistent record that has seen her win six of her 14 starts.
Willinga Beast (Snitzel) has won just the one race but has been competitive in good company whilst Miss Hellfire (Hellbent) was doing her best work late in the G2 Sapphire S.
Listed Dalrello Stakes - speedy juveniles
Two members of the I Am Invincible sire line are fighting out favouritism for this 2-year-old 1000 metres speed test - his daughter Embassy having as her main foe Mishani Lily by his son Kobayashi.
Still a maiden but close up when contesting Sydney stakes races over the summer, Embassy has caught the eye recording two easy trial victories whilst Mishani Lily has the score on the board - proving just too fast for her rivals when recording a 6 and a half length victory at Doomben in mid-April.
Two debut winning daughters of Pierata take their next steps here - Pareto (Pierata) and Carravilla (Pierata) whilst several other promising first season stallions are represented.
Embassy as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The Magic Millions Debut winner Lead Me On (Brutal {NZ}) resumes off a Doomben trial second, Zouna (Zousain) vies to remain undefeated whilst Devine Force (Cosmic Force) is back in Queensland off a disappointing run in Sydney. And the third emergency Aye Eye Boom (Unite And Conquer) is one of the three unraced (the other two are also emergencies) to accept.
This is a race named in honour of a Queensland favourite, Dalrello a horse who successfully mixed sprinting with staying and who gained popularity winning feature races locally and even bigger ones in Sydney - namely the G1 Doncaster H., the G1 George Ryder S. and two editions of the G1 All-Aged S.
