Group 1 racing across two states this Saturday, Spring really is the best time of year!
I’ve got a handful of runners to follow and we’ll kick off at Royal Randwick where it’s Epsom Handicap Day.
WITHOUT PEER ($4.20 at time of publish) comes off a brave run in the Ming Dynasty and he looks ideally placed stepping out to the mile in the Dulcify Stakes.
Off a wide gate, he tried to slot in but was caught deep in the early part but still finished off strongly to claim third in the 1400m Group 3 feature.
The Ciaron Maher trained gelding kicked off his career in fine style with a solid debut win over 1200m at Rosehill and he charged home late over the 1300m at his following outing, only to miss by the barest of margins.
The way he finishes off his races suggests he’ll love getting out over that bit further and if he can find cover early, I think he’ll be too good for them late.
Briasa will start the short priced favourite in the Premiere Stakes but I’m keen to stick with JIMMYSSTAR ($3.20 at time of publish), especially after his sharp performance in a recent trial.
He just found the 1000m too short when making his return in the Concorde Stakes four weeks ago and he’s sure to appreciate the rise in trip. Settling back at the tail, he was always chasing but picked up strongly late to finish fifth.
He stepped out in a 1030m trial last week, where after spearing out of the gates he sat second and kicked away to win the heat.
The Ciaron Maher trained six-year-old has continued to rise through the grades and with two Group 1 victories in the Autumn, he firmly established himself as one of the county’s elite sprinters.
In the small field here, he can settle within striking distance and unleash late.
Off to Flemington where it’s Turnbull Stakes Day and I’ve got three that I’m keen on.
SHE’S AN ARTIST ($2.90 at time of publish) finished fourth when resuming as the heavily backed favourite three weeks ago but there was plenty of merit in her performance and I think she’ll be hard to beat in the opener.
Settling up on the speed over 1100m at headquarters, she tried hard but was just run down late.
She was found to have pulled up with a slow recovery, so she did well to stick on and hold fourth.
A very progressive filly, she was terrific in her first campaign, trouncing her rivals in a Bendigo maiden on debut and it was similar story at her following outing.
She put up a brave effort to finish second in the Listed Creswick Stakes behind Bridal Waltz, who went on to win the Bletchingly.
With that first up run under her belt, she strips fitter and with Blake Shinn aboard, I think she’ll be very hard to beat.
The luckless last start run of ON DISPLAY ($2.80 at time of publish) in the Let’s Elope Stakes certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed as there’s already been plenty of early support for her in Saturday’s Rose Of Kingston Stakes.
It was a horror watch if you on her as she was held up for much of the straight and just as the gap appeared to open, it quickly closed, and she was lucky to stay on her feet.
The daughter of Fastnet Rock was ultra impressive when resuming over 1400m at Caulfield, carrying the top weight of 60.5kgs she made it look easy as she powered past them in the straight to score by over a length.
Winner of the Adelaide Guineas last preparation, she was unlucky not to have won the Group 2 Queen Of The South Stakes at her start prior.
She’s come back in top order this time in and I think she’ll continue to step up as the bar is raised.
BUR DUBAI ($12.00 at time of publish) will take his place in The Bart Cummings and whilst I think Gilded Water will be hard to beat, I feel this former UK galloper is worth following.
He just found them a bit sharp when resuming over the mile at the Valley and out to 2000m there second up, he charged late into second.
I thought he looked well placed last start at this course and distance as he stepped out in The Archer, but he was chopped out at a vital stage, losing all momentum.
He picked up again late and it a solid performance to finish only 2.4 lengths off the winner.
He presents at peak fitness and with even luck, he’s sure to make his presence felt.