The Group Two grand final for the two-year-olds!
The Karrakatta Plate is always is an intriguing race full of speed and precocity and trainer Simon Miller will be looking to go back-to-back with either Achernar Star or Listed Supremacy Stakes (1000m) winner Seannie after he trained Whispering Brook to win the time-honoured classic last year in 2016.
A capacity field of 16 juveniles will take their place in the $500,000 feature, let’s take a closer look at each individual runner:
1. KEEPER KEEN
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $15
The son of Golden Slipper winner Sebring burst on to the scene after winning his first two races including the $100,000 Crystal Slipper prior to Christmas. His first up effort this preparation when second behind Seannie in the Supremacy Stakes was commendable, especially considering he had to give her 3kg. But he looked plain last start in the Listed Perth Stakes (1100m). He will need to lift for the grand final.
2. ACHERNAR STAR
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $8
Trained by Simon Miller, Achernar Star showed he had good race smarts when winning the first two-year-old race of the 2016/17 season, at Belmont. He was three-wide and on-speed that day which suggested that he was very good. He came out and won at Ascot after Christmas before running a luckless second in the $250,000 Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic. Simon Miller won the Karrakatta Plate last year with Whispering Brook which also jumped from barrier 11.
3. RIASC
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $11
Riasc is yet to run a bad race in his four-start career. Trainer Brent Albuino has an ace left up his sleeve which he will be using for the Karrakatta Plate – blinkers. A major positive for Albuino and the gelding is that Chris Parnham sticks with him after having ridden him all the way through.
4. WACKED OUT
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $13
Wacked Out is a son of So Secret and is bred in the proverbial purple. He is out the family of Group One winners Magnifisio and Barakey which suggests he could be something quite special. He recorded the fastest 1100m time of any two-year-old, in season 2016/17, when impressively leading all of the way in the Listed Perth Stakes. He can lead all of the way here again.
5. REYKJAVIK
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $17
The colt by Artie Schiller was devastating when winning a moderate two-year-old race two starts ago. He backed that good effort up by running a cracking third in the Perth Stakes. Barrier 12 won’t pose too much of an issue for jockey Shaun O’Donnell as there does look to be speed around him to track into the race.
6. DEBELLATIO
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $9
A classy colt by Smart Missile, Debellatio has not had the best of luck in his short three-start career. The Fred Kersley-trained entire missed the start by three lengths on debut before breaking maiden status in a weak Wednesday juvenile race. Luck eluded him last start in the Perth Stakes when caught three-wide for the entire trip but he did fight on well. The query is how much the tough run took out of him. He oozes class though.
7. AL DI LA
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $34
Pushed Riasc to the limit four starts ago but is honestly making up the numbers here. Will be a key factor in the sense that he will be one of the main speed runners.
8. PURE GEM
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $21
A gelding by Sebring, won well last start over 1200m when coming from off the speed. The plan of attack has been aimed towards the Group Three Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), a fortnight after the Karrakatta, but he could be good enough to run a cheeky race in the Karrakatta.
9. ARRUM BOY
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $26
Failed on debut when highly spruiked. Was second behind Debellatio but had a very soft run in the lead and didn’t put up much of a fight. Last start behind Galveston Bay was only fair when second. Others better credentialed.
10. SOUNDCHECK
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $17
Inconclusive so far. Draws inside which is the shortest way home. Was a forgive run last start as the brother of The River had to sit outside of the leader which didn’t suit. He looks to be much better suited with cover.
11. LUCY MAE
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $12
A very tough filly which makes her own luck on the speed. The daughter of the ill-fated Stratum is not a quitter as shown by her gutsy win in the Magic Million WA 2YO Classic. Her run in the Group Three Gimcrack Stakes (1100m) was just as stout when second behind Kiss Bang Love. She has to be respected.
12. SEANNIE
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $2.80
Arguably the best juvenile in the race, Seannie was excellent on debut in October 2016 and could not have been more impressive in the Supremacy Stakes after missing the start by three lengths and picking up the rest of the field like they were posted to the fence. The run in the Gimcrack was good despite being a $1.50 beaten favourite. From the good draw, she is the one to beat.
13. KISS BANG LOVE
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $6
The Gimcrack winner has to be respected. The daughter of Demeit was three-wide with cover on that occasion and showed a dazzling late turn of speed under William Pike. She was holding Seannie in the latter stages and cannot be taken lightly. Pike will look to ride cold from barrier 15.
14. ROCK OR BUST
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $61
The filly by Hala Bek hit the line well in the Gimcrack. She will run on well but look for her in the Sires’ Produce.
15. FOXY PRINCESS
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $51
Only start was when winning a seemingly moderate two-year-old maiden at Bunbury. However, the filly with the white face was three-wide for the entire trip and won like a good thing although starting at $21. Keep an eye out for any late betting moves.
16. RETOSONA
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $101
A daughter of Newmarket Handicap winner Wanted, Retosona looks rather limited compared to rivals and will only be making up the numbers.
SELECTIONS
4. WACKED OUT
He can lead all of the way from barrier nine, just like Whispering Brook did last year in the same race. With the rail standing at the inside position and the breeze favouring those on-speed, Wacked Out is a great each-way play.
6. DEBELLATIO
Drawn in barrier five, Debellatio should get the luck that he has been screaming out for. Expect Daniel Staeck to settle much closer in running and with cover to allow the classy colt to finish off.
12. SEANNIE
The best horse in the race but doesn’t represent great betting value as there are things against her. She could get tangled up in traffic from barrier two, especially if she misses the start like she has been. The daughter of Sebring also has a lot of class and ability which should see her run well as long as she has an uninterrupted run.
11. LUCY MAE
Tough and bombproof, Lucy Mae will roll towards the speed and will give another honest account of herself. If she looks gone in the run, don’t give up on her because she will keep finding under pressure.
Happy punting and GOOD LUCK!
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