I’ve got five to follow across three states once again this Saturday.
We’ll kick off at Ipswich where it’s their feature raceday and I have two that I’m very keen on.
Heman has been the runner up in both of his runs this campaign and looks ready to peak.
The son of I Am Invincible kicked off over 1200m at Doomben, where he settled second last and powered home down the outside to get within half of the length of the all-the-way winner.
Stepping out to 1350m there last time, he again got back and worked home strongly behind the talented Tuff Tu Mus.
He’s only had one outing over the mile, where he finished second at Group 3 level in the Carbine Club Stakes, so the rise in trip should suit and the low draw can see him settle within striking distance.
Warnie made an appearance in the blackbook prior to his first up outing and he gets another mention as he looks primed to strike in Saturday’s Eye Liner Stakes.
The Ciaron Maher trained four year old returned to the races having been gelded during the break and kicking off in the Takeover Target, he travelled well in the second half of the field and charged home late in restricted room to be beaten only a long neck.
He didn’t have much luck last start in the Moreton Cup as he found himself back at the tail off a slow start and with it all to do at the top of the straight, he powered home late into third.
The UK import has continued to progress well since his arrival in Australian and the ultimate gear change looks to have had the desired effect.
The rise to 1350m looks ideal and he draws to get a cosy run in transit.
Raikkonen is currently accepted for two races at Randwick on Saturday and looks a live chance in both.
He was never on the track last start in the Fred Best Classic at Doomben but despite covering plenty of ground, he still hit the line strongly to finish just on the heels of the placegetters.
The Bjorn Baker trained son of Shaala showed plenty of talent in his first campaign and he returned in fine order as he proved superior first up over 1200m at Gosford.
If he starts in race eight, he does have the wide draw to contend with but I think he’ll be much better suited on the bigger track and if he takes his place in the Civic Stakes, he gets in with just 53kgs and a kinder draw.
Nearco Frod comes off a very encouraging performance over 2000m at Flemington and I think he’ll run another bold race as he steps out over that same track and distance at his third run back.
At just his fifth race start, his second on Australian soil, the imported French colt was taken right back off the outside gate and just raced a little keen in the middle stages but worked home nicely to claim third.
He just looked to peak on his run late when kicking off over the mile and with the two runs under his belt, he looks ready to fire.
He does take on Shockletz again and whilst the filly has had his measure on both occasions, he meets her much better at the weights this time and the low draw can hopefully see him settle a touch closer in the run.
St Lawrence returns to the races at Flemington on Saturday and whilst there’s no hard luck stories, or notable gear changes (aside from the addition of a tongue tie) he does step for new connections and a new yard.
Formally prepared by Ciaron Maher, the Redwood gelding has recorded eight wins from his twenty-three starts and has amassed almost $1m in prizemoney.
He made it back to back wins last preparation when taking out the Little Dance at Randwick but he’s yet to salute at stakes level.
We’ve so often seen Gavin Bedggood work wonders with these types of gallopers and I’m keen to see if he can get this six year old to take to a new level.
He boasts an outstanding first up record and looked sharp winning a recent trial.