SATURDAY race day rolls around again, and the eastern seaboard of Australia has copped an absolute battering with rain.
Meetings called off left, right and centre, and the ones that do go ahead are continuing on very heavy going. There’s black type racing from Rosehill and Caulfield, and the G1 racing rolls on in the West, with the running of the Winterbottom Stakes from Ascot. Take a look at the inside mail below.
Caulfield:
R1 #1 Brereton $2.70 at PlayUp
Takes a very good 2yo to win the Merson Cooper, and we have identified one here in the Moody trained Brereton. Godolphin have won this race the past two years with Anamoe and Hanseatic, who have both gone on to be top level horses. Brereton was very good winning the G3 Maribyrnong at Flemington last time out, which bounced back off a very close defeat on debut. Third up here with race fitness and experience over key rivals, and P Moody is very bullish on his chances as well.
Takes a very good 2yo to win the Merson Cooper, and we have identified one here in the Moody trained Brereton. Godolphin have won this race the past two years with Anamoe and Hanseatic, who have both gone on to be top level horses. Brereton was very good winning the G3 Maribyrnong at Flemington last time out, which bounced back off a very close defeat on debut. Third up here with race fitness and experience over key rivals, and P Moody is very bullish on his chances as well.
R5 #9 Steinem $2.80 at PlayUp
Finally strikes a winnable race does Steinem, who has been flying so far this prep in much harder assignments than this. She was only beaten 3L last start in the G1 Empire Rose behind Colette, and prior to that finished 2nd behind that same horse in the G2 Tristarc. Her get back, run on style of racing has her limited at the top level currently, but this looks an easy kill for a horse fourth up and ready to peak.
Finally strikes a winnable race does Steinem, who has been flying so far this prep in much harder assignments than this. She was only beaten 3L last start in the G1 Empire Rose behind Colette, and prior to that finished 2nd behind that same horse in the G2 Tristarc. Her get back, run on style of racing has her limited at the top level currently, but this looks an easy kill for a horse fourth up and ready to peak.
R8 #6 Our Playboy $2.80 at PlayUp
Got a mile out of its ground in the Cranbourne Cup last start, flying home from near last to finish half a length off the winner. He spotted them an impossible margin in the run, and the fact he got so close on the line was a testament to how well the horse is going. A very smart Flemington win prior to that run is great form, and from a low draw, with a low weight, and a very positive rider change, he can be atoning.
Got a mile out of its ground in the Cranbourne Cup last start, flying home from near last to finish half a length off the winner. He spotted them an impossible margin in the run, and the fact he got so close on the line was a testament to how well the horse is going. A very smart Flemington win prior to that run is great form, and from a low draw, with a low weight, and a very positive rider change, he can be atoning.
Rosehill:
R4 #4 Kiss The Bride $7.00 at PlayUp
Thought this horse was over the odds in what looks to be a very tactical affair in the ATC Cup. He was just no match behind Torrens last start at Newcastle, but go back two runs and he was right alongside G1 winner Think It Over in the Rosehill Cup. Interestingly to note, this horses peak career ratings have all come in very slowly run races, and that is exactly what he will get here today. He has a sharp turn of foot for a stayer, and can get through heavy going as well. They should walk in the slow field, and it sets up for him to produce a big run.
Thought this horse was over the odds in what looks to be a very tactical affair in the ATC Cup. He was just no match behind Torrens last start at Newcastle, but go back two runs and he was right alongside G1 winner Think It Over in the Rosehill Cup. Interestingly to note, this horses peak career ratings have all come in very slowly run races, and that is exactly what he will get here today. He has a sharp turn of foot for a stayer, and can get through heavy going as well. They should walk in the slow field, and it sets up for him to produce a big run.
R5 #3 Liberty Sun $4.20 at PlayUp
Keen on Liberty Sun here with the race fitness on his side, coming off a sound effort behind On The Lead last start. The good 3 track rating was unlikely suitable for the horse, but not beaten too far anyway. Two back he won the BM94 sprint race at Port Macquarie, and is now deep into the prep and ready to hold peak. He is one from one undefeated on heavy going, gets a lovely map just a touch wider on the track, and the booking of Nash is a big positive here.
Keen on Liberty Sun here with the race fitness on his side, coming off a sound effort behind On The Lead last start. The good 3 track rating was unlikely suitable for the horse, but not beaten too far anyway. Two back he won the BM94 sprint race at Port Macquarie, and is now deep into the prep and ready to hold peak. He is one from one undefeated on heavy going, gets a lovely map just a touch wider on the track, and the booking of Nash is a big positive here.
Ascot:
R8 (G1 Winterbottom Stakes) #9 Stageman $17.00 at PlayUp
Very unlucky in the G3 Colonel Reeves last start, held up for a majority of the straight at crucial stages. Prior to that went very close behind Elite Street, now fourth up ready to peak and gets clear air from a wide draw. Way over the odds here.
Very unlucky in the G3 Colonel Reeves last start, held up for a majority of the straight at crucial stages. Prior to that went very close behind Elite Street, now fourth up ready to peak and gets clear air from a wide draw. Way over the odds here.
