A fortnight ago Midsummer Sun, Brigantin and I’m Imposing ran 1st, 2nd and 4th respectively in the Gosford Cup and whilst all figure prominently in betting here, it’s Gai Waterhouse’s Travolta who held favouritism when markets first opened Wednesday. He ran second in this race and is in the right kind of form to go one better this year. In what has become almost the standard in Australian feature staying races over recent years, all bar one of the eight contesting this race commenced their careers overseas.
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1. BRIGANTIN – J Bowman (4) 59kgs
The 7yo stallion was disappointing in four runs during the spring and subsequently transferred to the Sydney stables of Chris Waller. He was good late over the unsuitable distance of 1550m when making his return to racing at the end of December and better again at his next and most recent start, when closing well to run third to Midsummer Sun in the Listed Gosford Cup (2100m) a fortnight ago. He can only be fitter again for having had that run over a distance and meets Midsummer Sun 1kg better at the weights.
2. TRAVOLTA – N Rawiller (2) 59kgs
Surprisingly for a Gai Waterhouse runner who has had fourteen starts in Australian since coming from New Zealand, this will be Nash Rawiller’s first ride on the well performed stayer. He ran second in this race last year to Shadows In The Sun and is capable of going one better again judging by his most recent effort when a head second to Permit in the Listed Tatt’s Club Cup (2400m). He ran them along last start and has always, fought on tenaciously in the straight. Only has the one win from six starts in Stakes races in Australia but has placed four times and will again be right in the mix.
3. I’M IMPOSING – J Cassidy (7) 56kgs
After finishing a close up seventh in the G1 Metropolitan Handicap behind Seville in October, the 8yo by Danehill Dancer was given a nine week break by trainer Chris Waller, before returning in a BM 95 (1400m) early December. From the tail of the field he never threatened but appreciated the step up 2000m three weeks later to score a nose win over Travolta in the G3 Summer Cup (2000m). His only start since has been another solid performance when fourth in the Gosford Cup (2100m), finishing 1 ½ lengths behind Midsummer Sun after making a long run from the tail of the field. Going as well as ever and did have to show is hand early last start.
4. MIDSUMMER SUN – G Schofield (1) 56kgs
Had almost six weeks off after running fourth in the WFA G2 Zipping Classic (2400m) and returned in the G3 Summer Cup (2000m) at Randwick on Boxing Day. The 6yo trained by Sam Kavanagh, held his position in the run home and finished fifth (2 ½ lengths) behind I’m Imposing. He took benefit from that run at his following start, the Gosford Cup, and was ridden a treat by Schofield to score a neck win over Brigantin. Drawn to get a nice run in transit again and capable of making it two on the trot.
5. RULE BOOK – A Hyeronimus (8) 54kgs
The 5yo by Aussie Rules was only warming up late first up over 1500m three starts ago in a BM 75 before appreciating the step up to 1800m at the same grade and running second, beaten 1 ¼ lengths, behind the promising Koroibete. Waterhouse than gave him a month off before he contested a BM 76 (2400m) at Warwick Farm a fortnight ago. He led and set an honest tempo in front fighting on strongly in the straight before going down to Celtic Prince by a neck. Carried 59kgs last start so the drop in weight here will be an advantage but the step up to Stakes grade and an awkward draw will require him to show significant improvement. Markets suggest he is capable of that improvement though.
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6. HEAVEN’S RICHES – (3) 54kgs
Robbie Laing trains this 5yo who returned off a nine month spell by contested the 2800m journey of the Listed Bagot Handicap at Flemington on New Year’s Day. Faces such a task, he obviously started a big price (40/1) and ran accordingly, finishing second to last and over thirteen lengths from the winner Outback Joe. He’ll find this challenge harder again.
7. BIG MEMORY – C Reith (6) 54kgs
Started favourite in each of his three runs back from a spell and after finishing a narrow second in the first two races, finally repaid punters who stuck with him when successful in a BM 74 at Canterbury (1900m) four weeks ago. It was the former European’s first win in only five starts and whilst he has improved with every run he has produced thus far, this is a significant step up in grade and distance.
8. HANDSOME – (5) 54kgs
Recorded his fifth career win, at start number forty-five, three starts back when recording a half length win in a BM 70 (2500m) at Moonee Valley. His two subsequent runs have seen him camp on the speed before weakening late and running fifth and in a RST 84 (2540m) and seventh in Open company over 2500m at Flemington. Couldn’t see him a winning a race of this nature off of those efforts.
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RACE OVERVIEW
Travolta will jump straight to the front and as always prove hard to run down. He has been so close in similar races recently and the engagement of Sydney’s strongest rider, Nash Rawiller, could prove vital. Following him throughout from the inside gate will be Midsummer Sun. The gelding has always shown above average ability and looks to be now fulfilling his potential. However Brigantin really caught the eye in the Gosford Cup and there are a lot of positives he takes out of it. He’ll be fitter again, will enjoy the mile and half trip and meets his successor slightly better again in terms of weight. He should prove very hard to beat.
- BRIGANTIN
- TRAVOLTA
- MIDSUMMER SUN
