Kah key to Annavisto
Bendigo, Listed The Preece Bendigo Guineas, $150,000, 1400m
Lightly raced filly Annavisto (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) looks ready to fire here third-up after narrowly missing last start at Flemington over 1400 metres. There she over-raced and was held up at a vital stage. Drawn in barrier eight of 12, she can settle midfield and produce out wide with a strong run under premiership-leading hoop Jamie Kah.
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Redeel (Dundeel {NZ}) was impressive over 1200 metres at Sandown last-start. Stepping out to a mile should see him improve again and from barrier nine Jye McNeil might find the back of Annavisto who is drawn to his inside.
Mozzie Monster (Sebring) was far from disgraced at Group 1 level during the spring. She has since returned with a commendable fifth-placed performance and can improve getting out to a more suitable trip while Military Parade (I Am Invincible) looks set to peak off the back of a nice Rosehill trial.
Clad eyes picket fence
Bendigo Listed Bet365 Golden Mile, $150,000, 1600m
The Australian Bloodstock-owned and Will Clarken-trained Ironclad (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is building an imposing record, having won his past three starts. This is another step for the progressive European import, but there’s no reason to suggest that he can’t measure up with a light weight and fitness on his side.
Lightly raced 6-year-old Kenya (Ire (Galileo {Ire}) resumes after finishing 1.3l behind Group-performed galloper Junipal (Reset) in the Sandown S. The Robert Hickmott-trained gelding is a proven first-up, having finished in the money at four of his five attempts. From barrier 12, expect Jye McNeil to roll across and take up a prominent position.
WA raider Platoon (Playing God) wasn’t beaten far into 13th last start in the G1 Australian Cup. He’s a classy type, but the query is his poor record over the mile.
Sale Cup-winning entire All Too Huiying (All Too Hard) is a proven mile performer who can score a knockout blow without surprising, while talented French import Skyward (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) looks ready to show his true potential this time in.
Vernanme looks top hope
Tauranga, G2 Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy, NZ$100,000, 1600m
Vernanme (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) is a free-going type and was a smart winner two runs back in the Listed Taranaki Cup. He then faded to sixth in the Listed Kaimai S. under 60kg and is better off here with 4kg less.
Prise De Fer (NZ) (Savabeel) added to his winning tally last time out at Ellerslie and looks a major player again, given that he drops 4.5kg while Travelling Light (NZ) (El Roca) and Siracusa (Sebring) are talented mares and are to be taken seriously.
Packing Rockstar (Fastnet Rock) was an easy open handicap winner at his most recent appearance and, while he has never tackled 1600 metres, looks equipped to handle the trip.
Yearn (NZ) (Savabeel) is a gifted mare and didn’t have a lot of luck in the straight when beaten into fifth in the Royal Descent S. and Ocean Billy (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) was too good in the G1 Auckland Cup and the drop back to a mile is the only question mark on him.
Belle to chime again
Riccarton, G3 Valachi Downs South Island Breeders’ S., NZ$80,000, 1600m
Belle Fascino (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) has hit a purple patch of form with three wins and a runner-up finish from her last four outings. There is no reason to think she can’t add to her tally again.
All About Magic (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) was third after an interrupted run at Ashburton and she should appreciate the extra trip while Lady Rudolph (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) blew her chances at the start last time out and with a clean getaway can atone.
Just Fabulous (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) made a successful South Island debut earlier this month and she looks capable of handling a rise in class. Bronte Beach (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}), Severine (NZ) (Pins) and Pownce (NZ) (Power {GB}) are a trio of in-form mares with place prospects.
Lyre to fire?
Morphettville, Listed Manihi S., $102,250, 1110m
Godolphin galloper Lyre (Lohnro) has continued to tease her faithfuls since winning the 2019 G1 Blue Diamond S. going on a winless streak of 15. However, she has produced various flashing light runs, with the most notable being her two Group 1 placings at this track last autumn.
She’s yet to win fresh but can potentially break that hoodoo here over a distance where she’s finished in the quinella on four occasions.
Humma Humma (Denman) was superb first-up at Flemington, flashing into third behind talented types Fabergino (Maschino) and Indian Pacific (Zoustar). Expect her to prove hard to beat stepping out over an extra 100 metres at a track where she’s prevailed before.
Garner (Barbados) can hit back after putting in a plain performance on Adelaide Cup Day, while fellow local hope Li’l Kontra (Krupt) can prove competitive if she recaptures her fourth placed effort in the 2019 G1 Coolmore Stud S.
Mare set to bounce back
Morphettville, Listed Clare Lindop S., $102,250, 1600m
Group 2-winning mare Victoria Quay (Dundeel {NZ}) was poor on resumption, finishing a distant sixth in the Listed Morphettville Guineas. If she can recapture her form from the spring when beating subsequent G1 VRC Oaks winner Personal (Fastnet Rock) expect her to prove too classy for these.
Ecumenical (Zebedee {GB}) hasn’t been able to go on with the job since finishing 1.5l in fourth in the G1 1000 Guineas. On class alone she’s good enough to be winning a race of this calibre. However, the jury remains out after she was beaten 6.8l on resumption here over 1200 metres.
Progressive filly Scream Dream (Shamus Award) scored a well-deserved victory last start at Pakenham and can make the step-up to Listed company, while fellow local hope Another Award (Shamus Award) has fitness and raw ability on her side.
Empire’s to lose?
Ascot, Listed Schweppes-Melvista S., $50,000, 2200m
The Bob Peters-owned Western Empire (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) looks primed to continue on his running ways in this small field. William Pike can push forward from barrier one and dictate the tempo. The only query is that he’s yet to be tested beyond 1800 metres.
Western Empire (NZ)
Off Wego (Oratorio) worked home well last start over 1800 metres when finishing third behind Western Empire. However, he was still 4.5l behind the winner despite his efforts. The extra 400 metres could see him lessen the margin this time in.
Flash Ducati (Blackfriars) has finished behind Western Empire by more than 5l at his previous two starts, while Outback Jack (Outreach) could be the big improver off the back of two bold showings at his two most recent starts.
Pure prospect
Ascot, G3 City of Belmont-WA Oaks, $250,000, 2400m
Pure Devotion (So You Think {NZ}) looks ready to add further success to her tally as the talented filly was impressive last-start, flashing home into second after leaving her run to late.
Star hoop William Pike will ride from barrier eight after returning from a successful Victorian stint. The only knock is the tricky draw, but the booking of Pike and an extra 200 metres should see her given every chance.
Brave Angel (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) succumbed to a tough run in transit last-start after prevailing in the G2 WA Guineas prior to that. Expect him to bounce back here after attaining the services of leading local hoop Brad Parnham.
Temptacion (All Too Hard) can make the step-up in grade here after winning her past two starts by a combined margin of 4.8l, while Reliable Star (Reliable Man {GB}) will be improved by the rise in distance.
