O outro evento do Grupo 1 no cartão Caulfield, o Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (corrida 7) acima de 1400m, deve ser um caso intrigante com o Chris Waller's Contra ataque Buscou-se no topo das apostas depois de um segundo sem sorte, atrás de Mackintosh, nas marcas de Theo.
Parado por uma corrida sob Hugh Bowman, o garoto de quatro anos atingiu a linha com força depois de encontrar um ar claro na marca de 150m e está dizendo que Waller optou por colocá-lo aqui em preferência às estacas de Shannon em Rosehill.
Embora ele seja sem dúvida um cavalo talentoso, um segundo recorde de baixo e a relativa falta de qualquer experiência de corrida em Melbourne dão aos nossos comerciantes uma avenida para se opor a ele no fim de semana e em um campo com um pouco de profundidade, estamos ansiosos para levarele ligado.
Weir tem um forte recorde recente nesta desvantagem com ambos Estrela de estrato e Confie em uma rajada bem-sucedido nos últimos dois anos e ele será representado pela forma Vodu rapaz (foto acima), que já recebeu apoio em nosso mercado de preparações.
Having disappointed in consecutive runs down the straight at Flemington, the lad cast a spell on them with a runaway win in the Regal Roller.
He followed up an equally impressive performance in the Chandler Macleod last time out, coming from the tail of the field to finish over the top of them in style.
Teenage jockey Chris Parnham, who has partnered the horse at each of his past three victories, may have some work to do to find cover after the horse drew out in 10 and it’ll be interesting to see what tactics he adopts in pursuit of his first triumph at this level.
Stradbroke winner Under the Louvre drops 1kg off his two runs this preparation and has performed credibly on both occasions but statistics don’t paint a pretty picture for potential backers.
Six-times Group 1 winner Testa Rossa is the only horse this century to lump 58kgs or more to victory in this race and while we expect the bay to prove competitive and it will take a huge effort to claim the purse here.
Of the others, highly touted Kiwi Xtravagant enters this race with huge question marks surrounding his temperament after flopping badly at his only two previous runs on this side of the ditch, most recently in the Bobbie Lewis where he failed to beat a runner home.
In an unusual step, connections have negotiated an agreement with stewards that will allow the horse to bypass the parade ring and head straight to the barriers in an attempt to prevent him being stirred up by the raceday experience.
It remains to be seen whether that will do the trick and our traders will be keenly anticipating any market moves closer to the race.
Of the others, Tivaci wasn’t far away in the Bobbie Lewis and figures to run a forward race from the favourable draw while Thames Court has been thereabouts at Group level this preparation and is definitely one to consider for the trifectas.
