Cover image courtesy Georgia Young Photography
Wodeton often the bridesmaid, now ready for a big one
He may have been the perennial bridesmaid in features such as the G2 Todman Stakes, G1 Golden Slipper, G3 San Domenico Stakes and G1 Golden Rose, but Wodeton (Wootton Bassett {GB}) looks ready to peak and deliver in Saturday’s G1 Caulfield Guineas for trainer Chris Waller and his late sire Wootton Bassett (GB).
A question mark for many of these colts is their ability to run a strong mile, but judging by Wodeton’s racing pattern, that shouldn’t pose any problem. His sire has proven capable of leaving elite middle-distance performers in the Northern Hemisphere, so the mile looks no concern.
Wodeton | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Delving deeper into his pedigree, his dam Fiera Vista (by Exceed And Excel) was a Listed winner over the mile in the Morphettville Guineas, and is a half-sister to Dynasties (Sebring), a Listed winner over 1800 metres. His grandam won up to 1550 metres, and although the family also includes Hong Kong sprinting legend Silent Witness (El Moxie {USA}), his pedigree still reads as though the mile will suit perfectly.
Chris Waller commented on his weekly preview:
“Our two colts are very well (Wodeton and Autumn Boy), and blinkers remain on both. Wodeton was good last start, second in the Golden Rose. I think the draw will suit him and I think he is a good chaser - he chases hard, so if the two emergencies don’t get a start he’ll come into eight and he’ll have a wing on every foot turning for home.”
Chris Waller | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
It shapes as a cracking $3 million Caulfield Guineas, with plenty of depth beyond the Waller pair. The Group 1 winning I Am Invincible colt Vinrock looks ready to peak, while Nepotism (Brutal {NZ}), a Group 1 winner over the mile as a 2-year-old, should improve off his first two runs this preparation. Navy Pilot (I Am Invincible) also looks primed for a big showing for Ciaron Maher and he is bred to win a big one.
Treasure takes on a small but mighty field in the 'Might And Power'
Classy mare Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express) headlines the G1 Might And Power Stakes at Caulfield for trainer Matt Laurie. Where she will be taking on only three rivals - reminiscent of Winx (Street Cry {Ire})’s three-runner victory in the same race back in 2016.
After an interrupted preparation that included a mild bout of colic, Treasurethe Moment’s winning streak was halted by the bold front-runner Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) in last month’s G2 Feehan Stakes at Moonee Valley. Despite the defeat, Laurie was far from disappointed in the horse given the disrupted lead-up after missing the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes, but he accepted he doesn't like losing.
Treasurethe Moment | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I was pretty disappointed at the time; I don’t like losing any race,” Laurie told media earlier in the week.
“I would prefer it if there were more runners on Saturday, because I find it’s a harder watch with the small fields and you can sometimes come unstuck. But Damian gets on so well with her and we do think she’s getting back to the mark, so hopefully they can knock off another Group 1 together.”
Treasurethe Moment boasts four Group 1 wins, is unbeaten from three starts at Caulfield, and is seven from seven with jockey Damian Lane, who returns to partner the mare after missing her last run through suspension.
Matt Laurie | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Buckaroo (GB) (Fastnet Rock) demands major respect - he finished third behind Treasurethe Moment in the G1 Memsie Stakes, and then ran second to Sir Delius (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the G1 Underwood Stakes, with that form being franked when Sir Delius won the G1 Turnbull Stakes at his next start.
Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr saddle up the remaining pair, Globe (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) and Hezashocka (NZ) (Shocking). Globe could easily produce an upset as the likely leader, especially with Blake Shinn aboard and potentially conditions to suit, in what may become a tactical affair.
Sutton feels Feroce is ready to roll in the Toorak
Talented gelding Feroce (NZ) (Super Seth), trained by emerging Flemington horseman Dominic Sutton, gets his chance to claim a second career Group 1 over the mile in Saturday’s G1 Toorak Handicap.
It’s his first run at the distance since winning the G1 Australian Guineas in March, and he looks right back to form after a strong third in the G1 Rupert Clarke Stakes last month behind Sepals (Calyx {GB}).
Understandably, Sutton is confident. He explained to Racing and Sports:
Feroce (NZ) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“First-up was a lot shorter, distance-wise, than what he wants, and he ran a very creditable race. He ran the second-fastest 200 metres of the day and finished off nicely. Then stepping up to the Sir Rupert Clarke he was terrific.
“He gave four kilos to the first horse and second horse and three kilos to the fourth. He ran a PB on his ratings and we knew he’d take benefit from that run into the Toorak, so we’re very happy.
“I think this is his prime distance - the mile. Third-up, he’s going to be rock-hard fit. I can’t complain.”
“I think this is his (Feroce) prime distance - the mile. Third-up, he’s going to be rock-hard fit. I can’t complain.” - Dominic Sutton
After the Toorak, Sutton may be tempted to head north to Sydney for the $10 million Golden Eagle over 1500 metres.
“It’s too big a carrot to pass up on,” he said.
“It’s too big a carrot to pass up on.” - Dominic Sutton
“They’re only four once, and it’s a restricted race for 4-year-olds. The question will be going the Sydney way, but I don’t think that’ll be too much of an issue.”
Sepals may carry more weight following his last-start Group 1 win, but he still looks hard to beat. Other key chances include Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}), who brings winning form, and Lazzura (Snitzel), who chases a hat-trick after consecutive Group 3 and Group 2 victories.
Dominic Sutton | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
The Slipper winner is ready to beat up the boys
The G2 Roman Consul Stakes has attracted a strong field of eight, but a standout talking point is that Marhoona (Snitzel) - last season’s G1 Golden Slipper heroine - is the only filly taking on the colts.
The Emirates Park-bred and raced filly comes into the race, often a key lead-up to the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, as favourite following a narrow yet convincing win in the Listed Heritage Stakes, where race rival Beadman (Snitzel) finished third.
Marhoona | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Her jockey, Tommy Berry, is full of confidence after her resuming win and likes how she’s set up for this run.
“It was good to see what she did first-up. She’s got to face Beadman again and meets him better at the weights this time and gets up to the 1200 metres where she won the Slipper at that course and distance.
“Her work on Tuesday was very strong - she feels like she’s come on since that run, and she’s mapped perfectly once again.”
When asked to compare her with other top juveniles or early 3-year-olds he’s ridden, Berry added:
Tommy Berry | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“She is right up there. She’s a good filly, she only does what she has to, though. With other good fillies or two and 3-year-olds I’ve ridden in the past, you sort of know where they’re at pretty quickly. I find it hard to get a read on her.
“As she steps through the grades this preparation, we’ll see where her ceiling lies.”
“As she (Marhoona) steps through the grades this preparation, we’ll see where her ceiling lies.” - Tommy Berry
Beadman again looms as her biggest danger after their last clash, while Gallo Nero (Wootton Bassett {GB})resumes and has always shown ability. Up-and-comer Napoleonic (Wootton Bassett {GB}) also adds intrigue after posting back-to-back wins leading into this assignment.
Lindermann looks ready to light up the Hill Stakes
There’ll be no superstar swooping late to deny him this time, as Fangirl (Sebring) did in the 7 Stakes, with Lindermann (Lonhro) well placed to strike in the $2 million G2 Hill Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
The talented Chris Waller-trained gelding, who will be again partnered by Nash Rawiller, looks primed to add to an already impressive record of six wins and nearly $2.5 million in prizemoney.
The boosted purse has drawn a full field of 15, with only three runners rated under 100 - a clear sign of the race’s depth. These types of contests are often taken out by genuine Group 1 performers, and Lindermann fits that profile perfectly.
Lindermann | Image courtesy of Sportpix
A G1 Rosehill Guineas winner over 2000 metres as a 3-year-old, that has won another three Group races, and has also been Group 1-placed four times between 1600 and 2000 metres.
“Lindermann is going really well,” trainer Chris Waller told Racenet.
“This is his type of race - it’s like the Chelmsford, being that one run down from the big Group 1s and worth $2 million, so amazing prizemoney.
“He loves Rosehill and has won the Rosehill Guineas there and another set weights and penalties race (the G3 Sky High Stakes). He’ll be well suited at weight-for-age.”
“He (Lindermann) loves Rosehill.... He’ll be well suited at weight-for-age.” - Chris Waller
The main danger for the Lonhro gelding could come from his stablemate Kovalica (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}), while Light Infantry Man (Fr) (Fast Company {Ire}) adds intrigue after being scratched from the G1 Might And Power Stakes to contest this event instead - potentially a strong pointer to his chances.
Meanwhile, the exciting Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Elamaz (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) looks an emerging talent and should have taken good improvement from his first-up fifth in the G2 Kingston Town Stakes.
