The Blackbook returns this week, and I’ve got six standout runners worth tracking across three states this Saturday.
We’ll kick off at Rosehill where I’ve found three that I’m keen on.
Alphard will line up the first event and he was unlucky not have won when making his debut over 1200m at Canterbury.
After settling in the box seat, the Street Boss colt was unable to work his way into the clear until the final 50m, where he picked up strongly.
With the race experience and natural improvement, I think he can atone for that here. Adam Hyeronimus jumps aboard for Chris Waller and with barrier one, he’ll no doubt be mindful to make sure he gets plenty of room when needed.
Maori Chief had little luck last over 1400m here and looks primed to make amends in the fourth event.
Settling midfield on the rail, he was badly held up in the early part of the straight but after forcing his way through with 100m to go, he finished off nicely to get within half a length of the winner.
He also found trouble at the top of the straight when resuming over 1300m at Randwick but closed off nicely over the final part. Fitter after two runs this preparation, he looks well suited out to 1500m and I think momentum is the key to getting the best out of this son of I Am Invincible.
Spywire kicked off his campaign with a promising run over 1100m here late last month and he will have taken significant benefit from the outing.
Gelded during the break, the son of Trapeze Artist found limited room in the straight but charged late to grab second behind King’s Secret, who saluted again last weekend.
This lightly raced three-year-old has always shown genuine ability and the ultimate gear change could be the making of him. Now fitter for that first-up run, the slight step up to 1200m is ideal and he’s well weighted with Anna Roper’s 2kg claim.
Heading south to Flemington where I have one in the penultimate that I’m very keen to observe.
Relentless Voyager didn’t have a lot of luck when kicking off over the mile at Flemington, but he will have taken plenty of improvement from the run and he’ll certainly appreciate stepping out over more ground.
Making his first raceday appearance on Australian soil, the UK import settled back at the tail and looked to be losing touch as they started to quicken into the turn. As he balanced up, he started to make good ground late but didn’t have a lot of room over the final stages.
Stakes placed in three of his twelve starts, including the Group 2 Italian Derby, he’s not short of talent and I think he’s one worth following.
Last but not least, I have two at Eagle Farm that produced eye-catching runs last start.
Galifianakis made a striking return over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast and he’ll be better for the outing.
Unable to match early speed, he settled well back in the field but travelled sweetly throughout and unleashed a powerful late surge to fall short, beaten only a nose on the line.
Finding traffic in the early part of the straight, he was unlucky not to have got the prize.
Whilst many stayers can tend to race flat after a solid first up performance, his second up record does read well. He’ll certainly appreciate stepping out over that bit further, he drops back in grade and Codi Vitler’s 3kg claim sees him in nicely at the weights.
Benzou returned off a six week let up with an eye-catching performance over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast and I think he’ll relish stepping out to 1200m.
From the outside gate the Zousain three year old covered plenty of ground, coming the widest on the turn but charged home late to finish only a neck away in third. His overall record is very good and whilst he appeared disappointing at his prior start at Doomben, he was found to suffering from the thumps post-race.
He does rise significantly in the weights but the inside draw will see him afforded a soft run and he’ll certainly appreciate getting back on a firm surface.