Friday night racing under lights returns to Pakenham with the Australia Stakes meeting headlined by the return of Stradbroke Handicap winner War Machine, who resumes in the feature event and adds genuine star power to the card.
The spacious circuit and typically fair racing conditions should give every runner its chance, with a strong mix of progressive types and proven performers engaged throughout the program.
One of the emerging names to watch is Aliano, a potential Group horse who lines up chasing a third consecutive victory.
Plenty to like on the Australia Stakes night program, so let’s get stuck in and find some winners.
INVINCIBLE LOVER (8) caught the eye on debut at Cranbourne.
The Lloyd Kennewell-trained filly settled in the second half of the field over 1000m before coming with a powerful finishing burst to miss the win by a neck.
She’ll be better for the experience and given how strong she was late, the rise in distance will suit.
Zac Spain can stalk the speed.
Selections: 8-11-4-9
| 8. Invincible Lover (5) J: Zac Spain 56.5kg 2T: Lloyd Kennewell |
I ONLY WISH (2) looks close to a win and gets a great chance to break through here.
The Robbie Griffiths-trained mare finished three-quarters of a length second but should have won three starts ago when shuffled back and held up over a mile here.
That bad luck followed her two starts ago at Cranbourne when she was blocked for a run the entire straight. Truly sickening.
She was super last start over 1800m at Flemington when chasing home Tarvue to finish 1.25 lengths second and that run suggested that 2000m wouldn’t pose a problem at this stage of her preparation.
This race looks no harder than last start and she’s drawn to get an economic run.
Selections: 2-3-1-4
| 2. I Only Wish (3) J: Luke Currie 59.5kg 63282T: Robbie Griffiths |
PICK ‘N’ MIX (4) played up pre-race and subsequently disappointed when resuming in a stronger race last month.
Tony & Calvin McEvoy have added ear muffs which should keep the Turn Me Loose mare calm before the race.
She looked super winning a recent jump out and prior to last start she had won three of four races.
There’s plenty of speed in the race, but Luke Currie shouldn’t have her too far from the lead.
Selections: 4-3-9-2
| 4. Pick ‘N’ Mix (7) J: Luke Currie 60kg 1x1x7T: Tony & Calvin Mcevoy |
FROSTNIP (4) returned in great order on Geelong Cup Day over 1100m.
The Price & Kent Jnr-trained filly led and showed plenty of fight only to be picked off late to finish a long neck second to the smart Jewel Bandit, but she did beat home the in form Job Done.
She’ll strip fitter second-up and the slight drop in trip aids her with the big weight.
Armed with plenty of speed, Jye McNeil will have her close to the action if not leading.
Selections: 4-1-5-3
| 4. Frostnip (4) J: Jye Mcneil 59kg 169×2T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr |
GLOBAL ECLIPSE (6) was stiff not to finish closer last start over 2100m on the Lakeside track.
The Price & Kent Jnr-trained gelding was shuffled back to the tail entering the straight and then never got a clear crack at them, going to the line with something in hand for a 2.55 length sixth.
Prior to that, he started this preparation with four consecutive placings.
He’s rock hard fit and should race in a forward position for Ben Melham.
Selections: 6-4-1-3
| 6. Global Eclipse (7) J: Ben Melham 58kg 32226T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr |
ALIANO (1) is an exciting talent that I believe has the potential to win at black-type level.
Following two very good placings to start this preparation, the Robbie Griffiths-trained gelding looked primed to win his maiden third-up over 1106m as Sale and he made no mistake about it, putting his rivals to the sword for a 4.25 length victory.
He went back-to-back last start in impressive fashion when letting down powerfully in the straight to win by 3.75 lengths over 1200m on the Hillside track.
He’s on an upward trajectory and looks ready for the rise to 1400m.
Jye McNeil can settle in a prominent position from an inside barrier.
Selections: 1-2-10-13
| 1. Aliano (2) J: Jye Mcneil 61kg x3211T: Robbie Griffiths |
The Group 2 Australia Stakes looks like the perfect race for WAR MACHINE (1) to kick off his campaign.
The Team Hayes-trained gelding flies fresh and won the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes when resuming last preparation.
He’s warmed up for this with two jump outs with the most recent proving to be an exceptional piece of work to win.
The Group 1 Ladbrokes Stradbroke Handicap winner is well weighted under the weight for age conditions of the race.
Jamie Kah will give him the run of the race from barrier 2, which makes him extremely hard to beat.
Selections: 1-2-8-5
| 1. War Machine (2) J: Jamie Melham 58.5kg x100xT: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
PARADISE CITY (1) improved significantly second-up when appreciating a rise to this distance at Flemington.
The Moody & Coleman-trained mare was held up on straightening, but once clear she let down strongly, almost running down the all-the-way leader to finish three-quarters of a length second, three lengths clear of third.
She’ll strip fitter third-up and while she rises in weight with the drop in class, young gun apprentice Emily Pozman’s 3kg claim comes in very handy.
There looks to be good speed in the race which should see Pozman settle just off the pace before launching in the run home.
Selections: 1-5-2-7
| 1. Paradise City (2) J: Emily Pozman 62kg 37×82T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman |