Picket fence looms
Flemington, G3 Standish H., $160,000, 1200m
The in-form Phillip Stokes will look to get a third win from three starts this campaign for Defiant Dancer (Foxwedge), who saluted the judge over this course last start. The 4-year-old gelding gets into the race with the bottom weight of 54kgs and has drawn barrier seven in an eight-horse field which is ideal going down the straight.
Two starts ago, Sirius Suspect (Wanted) finished third behind Exhilarates (Snitzel) in the Listed MSS Security Sprint over this course. He then came out and won comfortably at Pakenham in open class but this is a step up in class, although he also gets in with 54kgs.
Morrissy (Snitzel) has been up for a very long time but he is yet to run a bad race. This race is much weaker than what he faced throughout the spring, however, he is dropping back down from 1400 metres to 1200 metres down the Flemington straight.
G2 Caulfield Sprint winner Graff (Star Witness) comes into the race off the back of finishing 5.7l behind Bivouac (Exceed And Excel) in the G1 VRC Sprint Classic, however, he will have to carry the maximum weight of 59kgs.
Southern Lad (Ocean Park {NZ}) has made the trip down from Sydney for John O’Shea, who has a great record when travelling horses to Victoria over the recent months. The gelding finished second at Listed level last start but this is his first-ever start down the straight.
Turn the tables
Flemington, Listed Bagot H., $160,000, 2800m
Miyake (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Tralee Rose (Tavistock {NZ}) will clash again after the former narrowly defeated the latter over 2530 metres at Flemington last start. They will both carry 54kgs however Tralee Rose has drawn barrier two while Miyake will start from seven, so Tralee Rose is likely to get a much more comfortable run.
Behind those two in the race was Danny O’Brien’s Reflect The Stars (Starspangledbanner), who was back in the field, wide around the bend and stormed home alongside Tralee Rose. Both Reflect The Stars and Tralee Rose look like the will appreciate the extra ground in this race.
Sin To Win (NZ) (Sir Percy {GB}) broke a very long winning drought over this course back in the spring however he will have to carry 59kgs, and Wentwood (GB) (Pour Moi {Ire}) has won his last two starts including the Werribee Cup, but he will carry the top weight of 60kgs.
Back-to-back
Canterbury Park, Listed Christmas Classic, $150,000, 1200m
Athiri (Lonhro) scored a well-deserved maiden stakes win last start and will be out to make it two in a row here. She has drawn barrier one so she will get a nice run on the speed and her jockey Rachel King is riding as well as anyone at the moment.
Eleven Eleven (Fastnet Rock) was an impressive winner of the Magic Millions Wyong 3&4YO Guineas at his last start. He has drawn barrier 12 of 12 for this race but he is known to get back and run home strongly so it shouldn’t hinder his chances too much.
Discharged (Snitzel) is resuming after a dominant 4.5l trial win and only has to carry 53kg while Southern Lad (Ocean Park {NZ}) has dual accepted for this race and the Standish at Flemington on the same day.
Peter and Paul Snowden’s Hightail (Written Tycoon) was a Group 3 winner at his last preparation and has also trialled up well.
