These Highway races are always reasonably tough to analyse, but the resuming Burning Crown has opened a clear odds-on favourite and does look extremely difficult to beat. Burning Crown recorded two impressive wins when he debuted in spring before overcoming a slow start in one of these Highway sprints to finish third. He’s trialled well and probably wins, but he’s far too short for me and I’m happy to watch.
No Bet
Tassort has only made one competitive appearance at the races, but he stamped himself as a colt to follow with a dominant six-length win in the Golden Gift at this track and distance in November and a repeat of that effort would see him winning again. The son of Brazen Beau produced a slick performance at a recent barrier trial and on exposed form, is the one to beat. There’s absolutely no value left for him in the market and I’m happy to watch with a view towards the Golden Slipper.
No Bet
Archedemus faces a step up in class into this race, but he has recorded three wins on the trot and looms as a threat again. The Lope De Vega gelding has continued to produce as trainer Gwenda Markwell has raised the bar and is rock-hard fit for this assignment.
Thy Kingdom Come has been charged with lugging 60kgs and has drawn a potentially tough barrier (11) but was an impressive winner at Rosehill last time and importantly, likes the cut in the ground. The booking of James McDonald to ride is obviously a bonus and he looks well placed to record the fifth win of his career.
1 Unit Thy Kingdom Come
Seaway resumed for an easy win at this track and distance three weeks ago and has already received a truckload of bets to win again on Saturday. The Ocean Park gelding does face a rise in class, however and will need to improve.
Seven of the ten horses in this field are resuming and obviously that makes the analysis a little tougher, but there’s plenty of appeal for a horse like Mask Of Time, who should be able to navigate to a forward position in a race that doesn’t look like harbouring much pace. Mask Of Time’s fresh form is decent and he looms as a genuine each-way theat.
1 Unit Mask Of Time
The Autumn Sun is a genuine star and will launch his highly-anticipated autumn campaign in the Hobartville. Having ended his two-year-old season with a maiden Group 1 win in the JJ Atkins, the Redoute’s Choice colt added wins in both the Golden Rose and Caulfield Guineas to his mantle and is simply the best horse in this field. With McEvoy aboard and from an ideal barrier, he should be winning. He’s into $1.55 at publish and that quote is likely to shorten further.
Royal Celebration looks the value at a genuine each-way quote, but he’d need to improve considerably to finish close to The Autumn Sun.
No Bet
This is one of the more open races on Hobartville Stakes Day and we’re looking at $5 the field, two days from jump.
Baller will return from a freshen-up and has been a consistent performer through his short racing career so far. The High Chaparral colt has posted two wins and a close-up second through only four starts and has drawn beautifully into this field, with only 53.5kgs in tow. I like that he has been kept up to the mark with a trial and with even luck, he can fight out the finish.
2 Units Baller
The Millie Fox always draws a strong field of fillies and mares and this year’s edition of the Group 2 race is certainly no exception.
The resuming I Am Serious was a strong and consistent performer through spring and has drawn ideally here (barrier 4). The Choisir mare has posted eight wins and six minors through her fifteen career starts and was last seen winning the Angst Stakes with ease in October. She’s had the benefit of a couple of trials and with even luck, does look tough to beat.
Egyptian Symbol has a fitness edge over many of her rivals and has been racing well this time. She stormed home late to beat a talented field to the line in the Magic Millions Snippets last month before another fair effort for fourth in the Breeders Classic two weeks ago. She can settle a little closer on Saturday from an inside draw and does look a touch of overs at her current price.
3 Units I Am Serious
1 Unit Egyptian Symbol
If the quality of this Parramatta Cup field is anything to go by, we’re set for outstanding editions of the Tancred Stakes and Sydney Cup this season.
High Bridge is a noted fresh performer and looks well in under the conditions of the race. The European import won each of his first two starts for Chris Waller in spring, including a 1900m race at Canterbury. He’s had several trials in the lead-up to this race but hasn’t been asked to do much and on class alone, he’s capable of fighting out the finish.
1.5 Units High Bridge
All Too Royal has continued to improve with racing this time and is seeking a fourth-consecutive win in the last on Saturday. The All Too Hard gelding will need to show some early speed to work forward from his wide draw, but he does have speed to burn and several of his key rivals have also drawn wide. He’s at peak fitness and will give them something to chase.
1 Unit All Too Royal