Race 1 - 12:38pm 2017 Freshman Sires Plate (1400 Metres)
THE WINNER
Salubrious sat outside of the leader and race favourite Ocean Jewel before out-toughing her to the line. The son of Wanted has now won his last two races and has been ridden by hoop Jarrad Noske on both occasions.
THE GOOD
The Shoe, Lob City and Noir De Rue all hit the line superbly to fill third, fourth and fifth respectively. Despite finishing seventh, Teacher’s Pet actually worked to the line nicely in behind the leading group.
THE BAD
Honorfic came into the race off two good runs over 1400m but failed to let down before finishing last. He did cop a slight bump on the turn but, on form, he still should have finished off better. Trackta finished eighth and comes from the same form line so it could just be that the midweek form lines aren’t very good.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Lob City – 35.46
Race 2 - 1:18pm Awesome Rock Handicap (1400 Metres)
THE WINNER
Friaresque was snagged back to last and rounded up the entire field after the leaders walked through the race at a very slow tempo. This galloper has bigger targets ahead of him in the future and will only get better over further.
THE GOOD
Leitfaden got too far back off of a very slow speed. She loomed along the inside but just had to do too much work too late. The daughter of Choisir looks to be back in reasonably good form.
THE BAD
Detango went back to second last and didn’t travel in the run after barrier attendants had a tough time of loading her into the gates, once again. The daughter of Demerit pulled up lame and will now be sent for a spell.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Friaresque – 34.36
Race 3 - 1:58pm King's Troop At Taunton Vale Handicap (1000 Metres)
THE WINNER
Pop Hero received a lovely run in the race, just off the speed, behind leading chance I Am Incredible. When popped the question in the straight, the gelding let down beautifully under apprentice Clint Johnston-Porter.
THE GOOD
Punters are used to seeing Two Silver Trees leading but the daughter of Encosta De Lago took a sit in a midfield position before running on strongly into second. Blitzem Someday was outstanding first up when running on into fourth after settling in the back half of the field. He looks set for a nice campaign.
THE BAD
Kramden was heavily backed into $4.20 favouritism before having no luck in running. The Brett Pope-trained gelding sat three-wide on the speed before compounding in the straight.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Blitzem Someday – 34.28
Race 4 - 2:33pm Lucky Street At Darling View Thoroughbreds Handi (1200 Metres)
THE WINNER
Flying Time appreciated the month between runs as well as a perfect ride from Dan Staeck. He sat fifth behind the two leaders before peeling off in the straight to win by over two lengths. The seven-year-old son of Heritage clearly enjoys his runs spaced and is also relishing racing.
THE GOOD
The Celt led and was grabbed late and held on for second. He proved that his last start disappointment was an anomaly. Ripper Rio returned nicely first up when running on for fourth. He will improve over further.
THE BAD
Majinika sat outside of the leader before fading in the straight to finish fifth as $2.45 favourite.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Flying Time – 34.49
Race 5 - 3:10pm Rommel At Mogumber Park Handicap (2100 Metres)
THE WINNER
Jetoomy was given a gun run three back on the fence from Lucy Warwick. When given clear air in the straight, along the rail, the son of Reset let down superbly well to go on to win by 3.5 lengths.
THE GOOD
10-year-old Verdello Blue led the field up and stuck on gamely to hold on to second at $31. There is a win around the corner for the old boy.
THE BAD
Rosewood Hill was left with too much to do at the back of the field. She still ran on strongly but will probably run again next week in 2100m benchmark 78+ and will be hard to beat.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Jetoomy – 34.70
Race 6 - 3:45pm Aquanita Stakes (2000 Metres)
THE WINNER
You won’t see a better ride than the one Brad Parnham gave to Stephen Miller’s Variation. After jumping from barrier 11, Parnham managed to find a spot midfield and, after main rival Gatting was caught three-wide and on a limb, the son War Chant was never in doubt. He didn’t run out the 2000m like that would be his pet distance in the future but class certainly got him home.
THE GOOD
Western Temple and Jackpot Prince filled the other placings and were super from back in the field. They will improve again out to the 2200m of the Listed Belmont Classic in a fortnight’s time.
THE BAD
Gatting started as second favourite and the WATC Derby winner was fancied stepping out to the staying trip of 2000m. Unfortunately for connections and jockey Matthieu Autier failed to find cover in running and was out of petrol in the final stages of the race.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Jackpot Prince & Western Temple – 35.51
Race 7 - 4:20pm New Kids On The Block-Belmont Oaks (2000 Metres)
THE WINNER
Fontainebleau stepped cleanly out of the machine and Glenn Smith took up the running in the early stages of the race before being headed by Miss Sapphire at about the 1350m mark. Smith then popped off the fence and outstayed the rest of the field in the straight.
THE GOOD
$101 shot Midnight Drama sat on the rail behind the speed and plugged away to the line well to hold on to second from the fast finishing Elegant Blast, Persian Princess and Fast As The Wind, which were all notable performances.
THE BAD
Perfect Dream box-seated in the run but failed to find anything in the straight.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Elegant Blast – 35.60
Race 8 - 4:55pm It Just Has To Be Vert De Grece Handicap (1600 Metres)
THE WINNER
Stocks was ridden positively by Fred W Kersley from the wide barrier and landed in the sweet spot behind the leader before getting the run along the inside, in the straight. The race was all but over at the 150m mark.
THE GOOD
Politics was freshened up and, despite racing keenly, found the line well for second after leading. The Forgotten One hit the line strongly for third and is in for another good staying preparation.
THE BAD
In what was a muddling run race, Gangbuster got shuffled back to last under William Pike and threw his head about in running. He never really got into the event but did run the fastest last 600m sectional of the event. He is still worth following.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Gangbuster – 34.84
PERFORMANCE OF THE DAY
In what was a slowly run race, Friaresque got back to last in the Awesome Rock Handicap (1400m) before letting down with an exciting turn of foot, which saw him burst through the field on straightening to win. Watch out for him over 1600m and beyond later this preparation.
RIDE OF THE DAY
Brad Parnham on Variation in the Listed Aquanita Stakes (2000m). From barrier 11 of 11, Parnham was cool and calm when jumping the son of War Chant out of the barriers before spotting the opportunity to slot into the running line in a midfield position. In doing so, he had forced main rival Gatting to sit three-wide for the race which was the winning move.
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