Check out our Saturday Racing Tips and Best Bets for October 24, featuring Ladbrokes Cox Plate Day at Flemington and Spring Champion Stakes Day at Randwick.
EXTRAGALACTIC (8) has come back this preparation in ripping form and looks cherry ripe for the McEwen Stakes.
The Trent Edmonds-trained mare kicked off her campaign in the Group 1 Moir Stakes where she was squeezed leaving the gates and settled back before saving ground on the turn and charging to the line for fourth, beaten 1.25 lengths.
She backed that top effort up last start in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes when hitting the line hard to finish three-quarters of a length second to Jimmysstar.
The daughter of Deep Field drops in class and will carry the same weight as last start.
James McDonald can stalk what looks a strong speed before letting the shackles off in the straight.
| 8. Extragalactic (7) 56.5kg22×42 | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up previously. First-up 4th of 13 in the G1 Moir Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1000m, on a slow track; 1.3 len behind My Gladiola carrying 56.5kg at $13. Second run from a spell sat on speed throughout when 2nd of 13 in the G1 Manikato Stakes at Caulfield on September 27 over 1200m, 0.8 len behind Jimmysstar carrying 56.5kg at $5. Been very good in a pair of G1’s, her turn of foot should really suit the straight. | |||
LINDERMANN (1) will appreciate the slight drop in distance after leading the Group 2 Hill Stakes over 1900m until the shadows of the post, when he was picked off by Attrition.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding is undefeated over this course and distance, with both wins coming in this race over the past two years.
Last year, he jumped straight to the front before dashing clear to win by 2.12 lengths.
Nash Rawiller can control the tempo against this year’s Craven Plate field, and Lindermann should prove hard to run down.
| 1. Lindermann (6) 59kgx9182 | |||
| Most recently gave a sight but was run down late 2nd of 8 in the G2 Hill Stakes at Rosehill on October 10 over 1900m, neck behind Attrition carrying 59kg at $1.70. The race before that struggled in the run home; ran last of 8 in the G1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield on September 19 over 1800m, 8 len behind Birdman carrying 59kg at $3. Can improve again. Been costly of late but this looks his race to lose. | |||
GLOBAL GOAL (8) caught the eye when returning in the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes, storming home from the back to finish 1.14 lengths third.
The John Sargent-trained filly stepped up to a mile in the Group 1 Flight Stakes and handled it beautifully, getting home over the top of her rivals to win by a neck.
She’s at peak fitness, and the rise to 2000m looks well within her wheelhouse.
Dylan Gibbons should be able to give her an economical run from the good barrier.
| 8. Global Goal (3) 54.5kg1×331 | |||
| Form hard to fault. Most recently won by a long-neck in the G1 Flight Stakes at this track on October 3 over 1600m on a soft track defeating De Armas carrying 56kg at $3.30. Before that 3rd of 9 in the G2 Tea Rose Stakes at this track on September 19 over 1400m, 1.1 len behind Bangkok Hottie with 56kg at $7.50. Should eat up the extra 400m and looks the one to roll again. | |||
AELIANA (10) chased home Autumn Glow two starts ago when second in the Group 2 Seven Sunrise Stakes.
The Chris Waller-trained mare looks primed to peak following an excellent performance in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes last start where she looked to be struggling early in the straight before picking up strongly in the final 100m to finish 2.75 lengths second to Cosmic Crusader.
She has a history of producing winning efforts fourth-up, completely the feat on three of four occasions including the Group 1 Tancred Stakes and Group 1 Australian Derby.
While she’s likely looking for 2400m now, this Ladbrokes Cox Plate will be run at a frenetic pace and that ability to run 12 furlongs will be to her advantage.
James McDonald has won four of his five rides on her and should land in a prominent position.
| 10. Aeliana (10) 57kg1×023 | |||
| Racing well recently. Last start 3rd of 13 in the G1 Turnbull Stakes at this track on October 3 over 2000m, on a wet track; 2.75 len behind Cosmic Crusader with 57kg at $3.80. The start before that 2nd in a small field in the G2 7 Stakes at Randwick on September 19 over 1600m, 1.3 len behind Autumn Glow carrying 57kg at $21. Building beautifully, will be charging home. | |||