The Group 1 feature of the day is the time-honoured George Main Stakes. Shoot Out ($7.50) lines up again having won this race last year and with his trainer Chris Waller also represented by Sacred Falls ($7.50), Hawkspur ($2.50) and Royal Descent ($6.50), Sydney’s premier trainer is a short price to make it successive victories. Outside of Wallers quartet, the remaining five entrants are all worthy participants and from a betting perspective, are headed by Streama ($9.00) and 3yo Dissident ($8.00)
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1. SHOOT OUT – J Bowman (7)
The now 7yo returned to racing off a fourteen week spell with a luckless eleventh of fourteen in the G3 Tranway Handicap (1400m) here at Randwick a fortnight ago. He was caught in the middle of traffic jam and whilst going to the line untested, still managed to finish within 3.5 lengths of winner Malavio. Hasn’t won at his past three second up runs and hard to know where he’ll get to from his awkward draw.
2. SINCERO – B Avdulla (5)
After finishing mid-field in last year’s Cox Plate behind Ocean Park, the son of Umatilla had a good nine month break before returning in the G3 Tramway Stakes (1400m) a fortnight ago. He had two barrier trials leading into the Tramway and was sent out a genuine each way chance at $8 however, he never raised backer’s hopes at any stage and finished second to last. Will be better for that run off the long break and he’s drawn more favourable here than in the Tramway but would still have to show significant improvement to be winning here.
3. VEYRON – C Reith (9)
New Zealand galloper who was in the right spot just behind a very hot speed in the G2 Warwick Stakes two starts back. He was able to finish over the top of Stream and Rain Affair to take out his first Australian victory and fifteen of his thirty start career. Off that effort he stepped out the 15/8 favourite in the G2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) a fortnight ago but only managed ninth – six lengths away from winner Hawkspur. From the wide gate, has too much ground to turn around on that effort.
4. FAWKNER – N Hall (1)
A lightly raced 6yo from the Victorian establishment of Robert Hickmott, he lines up for start number eighteen, his second of this preparation and his first at WFA. He’s first was a pleasing effort in the G3 Tramway Stakes where, he settled at the tail of the field but was doing his best work over the final stages and finished seventh, two lengths from the winner Malavio. The Tramway was dominated by those up on the speed and on that run and good draw here, he should perform well.
5. SACRED FALLS – T Berry (8)
The winner of the G1 Doncaster Handicap earlier this year, the son of O’Reilly returned to racing after a winter spell with an eye-catching effort in the G3 Tramway Stakes (1400m) a fortnight ago. He missed two runs in the straight and then had to ease across several horses before coming to the outside and storming home to run fourth, 1.6 lengths behind Malavio. He’s won two from three second up and finished within four lengths of It’s A Dundeel in the G1 Randwick Guineas second up last time in. Look for him to be rocketing home out wide.
6. HAWKSPUR – J Cassidy (2)
Will this be Jim Cassidy 100th success at Group 1 level? He’s certainly got the horse to achieve that target given this 4yo’s impressive win last start in the G2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m). From near the tail of the field he tracked up behind the leaders before getting a split and surging away to win by 3 ¼ lengths. That win followed a sensational first up performance in the G2 Warwick Stakes and cannot see any reason why the son of Purrealist would not go on with it here.
7. STREAMA – B Shinn (6)
Talented and honest mare who had placed in three of four G1 races over an Autumn/Winter carnival. She went within a whisker of claiming the G2 Warwick Stakes first up off a short spell where she chased tear-away leader Rain Affair and was left a sitting shot for Veyron who in turn, had trialled her throughout. No one would begrudge here success in this race but she’s won seven races overall, including two Group 1’s and four Group 2’s but each of those victories has been against fillies and/or mares.
8. ROYAL DESCENT – N Rawiller (3)
The impressive winner of this year’s ATC Oaks by a staggering ten lengths, the daughter of Redoute’s Choice has returned to racing this preparation with two outstanding efforts. Under 59kgs and from the widest gate, she went within a long neck of Hidden Kisses in the G3 Toy Show Quality (1300m) before drawing wide again and rattling home to run third (beaten 0.6 lengths) in the G3 Tramway Stakes behind Malavio. Fantastic effort last start given that the winner and runner-up of the race dictated from the front. The step up again in distance will suit and she is another live chance for Waller.
9. DISSIDENT – T Clark (3)
A 3yo trained by Peter Moody who was very good in last week’s G1 Golden Rose behind budding superstar Zoustar. From a wide draw the son of Sebring went forward and had to sit three wide on the pace throughout the event. Nevertheless, he gave a kick at the top of the straight and made Zoustar earn the neck victory every step of the way. That was his third start this time in and all have been very good. With 50.5kgs, is capable of offering plenty of cheek.
OVERVIEW
A fantastic race with most holding legitimate claims. Streama should cross to lead and in doing so, provide Shoot Out and Veyron, who are drawn on her outside, the opportunity to follow her across. Both Streama and Shoot Out, who should be able to set a tempo to their own liking, will give the field plenty to catch. Hawkspur’s two runs back have been outstanding and he is improving by lengths each time he steps on to a race course. If Cassidy – who is hot form, can negotiate some space from an inside gate, he’ll be the one they have to beat but the opening quote of $2.50, would be as short as price as you’d want to take in a quality field. Sacred Falls and Royal Descent were both very good in the Tramway and will be steaming home and wouldn’t right off the 3yo Dissident. Great race, plenty of chances.
- HAWKSPUR
- SHOOT OUT
- DISSIDENT
- STREAMA
