Gear Changes: Consorting – Cross Over Noseband First Time, Lady Jetsetter – Barrier Blanket First Time & Tongue Control Bit – Off
1. Sandhill Flash: Traded wins with The Messina Nymph in harder class first and second up. On speed both starts which is perfect from barrier 2 today… most importantly The Messina Nymph is a Listed grade winner at Caulfield from last prep and Group 3 placed in Adelaide… so the form is genuine. Back in distance today for this talented gelding, he always puts in… and that’s why he is top weight.
2. Grane: Consistent type who is always there or there abouts, but doesn’t win very often. First up run with top weight was very strong blocked for runs hitting the line hard. Goes well over this distance as well. Barrier the issue.
3. Consorting: Two very poor runs last prep. Previous prep was a very nice horse measuring up in similar grade and won at course and distance in BM-53 grade. This looks much harder and first up form not that great.
4. Gallant Harmony: Placed 9 runs in a row with 3 wins in that also. Goes well around this distance in the past but his best has been over the 1200m at this track… did run well 2nd over 1000m at Flemington and here also though… so i don’t see an issue with the distance if good enough. Awkward barrier doesn’t help chances but good ride gets a perfect spot today.
5. Quartzite: Barrier 1 down from NSW. Will push forward and may try hold out the Adelaide visitors Sandhill Flash for the lead. Strong win at Randwick to finish last prep over 1000m and first up run just missed at Warwick Farm with 59kg in a fast run race. Down to 56kg today and back to 955m should suit considering four runs back 900m win. Looks a leading contender.
6. Canali: Old mate puts in runs when you don’t expect it, but last prep was fairly disappointing overall not placing from many runs… same with previous prep. Hard to have.
7. Sweet Emily: She has been thrown in the deep end all three runs this prep and not exactly measured up well enough. Beaten over 3 lengths all runs this prep, certainly suited by back to 955m as she loves it and back in class also… she is off a similar mark which helps. Won’t be handed an easy lead today though. Not the same horse this prep.
8. Reldas: Old mate was hard to catch last prep after some promising wins at course over 1200m… when he returned back over the 955m he wasn’t sharp enough for it, we learnt that and we can’t be on today.
9. Lady Jetsetter: Won 4 of her last 6 races, clearly a talented horse who loves these shorter distances. Will be sitting midfield and coming over the top late.
10. Steel Trigger: Not in this grade today sorry.
Comments: Reldas being bet as equal favourite a joke. The horse last prep showed us that he doesn’t have the early speed to keep up with them and to finish off late. Gallant Harmony is a consistent type, but she hasn’t got a win past the BM-78 grade and finds one too good every other time. Sweet Emily doesn’t look to be peaking with the three runs to date in harder company, she will run better today but I’m not convinced here at the price. The three of interest here for me today are Lady Jetsetter, Quartzite and Sandhill Flash. On principle of going from 3YO grade up into open grade, i do have to take Lady Jetsetter on but i do feel the price looks bettable today. Quartzite has clearly shown the ability to win over this distance and looks to be well in today, i just have a query with him beating all these home as there are some good sorts and the price just doesn’t appeal. Sandhill Flash is the horse i want to be with. Perfect barrier today, the leaders will be suited by the rail… could find the front but I’m happy with a sit outside the leader also. 59kg looks fair considering his strong Open class win first up… his last 5 runs have been in Open/Listed grade for two firsts and a second… his other not placed runs were 2L and 1.8L off the win at Flemington in sprints in harder grade. Everything points to him being a great price here.
Confidence 80%
Strategy: Sandhill Flash on the E/W
