Chris Waller has won two of the past four editions of this race and looks set to bolster his strike rate further still, with Brazen Beau on Saturday. Waller prepared Pressday to victory in 2010 and last year won it with Zoustar and well send Brazen Beau out as the short priced favourite after the colt’s impressive win in the G2 Champagne Stakes a fortnight ago. He sits alone at the top of the betting at $2.50 with main dangers according to the market being Victorian galloper Pressing ($5.50) and local hope Looks Like The Cat ($6.50) who finished second to Brazen Beau in the Champagne Stakes.
Special Offer: $300 FREE BET – Luxbet
1. TIME FOR WAR – T Angland (1)
He led and displayed plenty of fight in the straight when successful by a head in the G2 Pago Pago Stakes first up before finding a few too good for him in the G1 ATC Sires’ Produce at his following outing, finishing fourth (6.4 lengths) behind Peggy Jean. Drew poorly in the G2 Champagne Stakes at Doomben a fortnight ago and for the first time in his career, was ridden back in the field. The son of Snitzel didn’t enjoy the experience and never threatened in the run home, finishing second to last and over seven lengths from the winner – Brazen Beau. He has drawn the fence on Saturday so expect him to be rolling in front and to produce a much improved effort.
2. BRAZEN BEAU – N Rawiller (5)
The I Am Invincible colt was very impressive in comfortably claiming the G2 Champagne Stakes a fortnight ago. The Chris Waller trained galloper camped of the speed before finding clear room at the top of the straight and letting down well, winning by 1 ¾ lengths. That was his second win from three starts with the other start a close up fifth at Listed level on a slow rated track. Drawn to get a lovely run, smart type and would’ve only come on from his last start which was his first for two months.
3. PRESSING – D Oliver (8)
Victorian colt who has finished strongly from well back in the field to win his only two starts to date with both victories coming at Caulfield and include the Listed Dandenong Stakes (1200m). The Sebring colt could not have been more impressive in either win and has earned his shot at this level. Oliver goes on and the 1350m should suit ideally. Some queries over the clock-wise direction on the tighter Doomben track see him miss out on being included in the top four.
4. MOHAVE – M Rodd (15)
The Darley runner won the Listed Blue Diamond Preview before finishing tenth and sixth in the Prelude and Stakes editions of the series respectively. Unwanted in betting when making his return a fortnight ago in the G2 Champagne Stakes drifting form 11’s out to 16’s, he settled four back in the running line and was produced at the right time turning to stake his claim but the Exceed and Exceed could only hold his spot in the run home, finishing fifth. Needs to show significant improvement off of that run and faces an extremely tough task from the widest gate.
5. LOOKS LIKE THE CAT – D Browne (12)
Immediately put away by trainer Tony Gollan after his strong debut victory back in February and returned with a very good second to Brazen Beau in the G2 Champagne Stakes a fortnight ago. Can only be better for that run but so will be Brazen Beau – who jumps from five compared to Looks Like The Cat’s gate 12. Has the making of a very good horse but may found it just a shade too difficult from the poor draw.
6. CARELESS – K McEvoy (3)
Darley’s second runner in the race, this Exceed and Excel colt is still looking for his first win after recording two second from four starts. One of those placings came at his most recent start, back in April, when 3 ¼ lengths behind Veuvelicious in the Listed Fernhill Handicap. Has been getting back in his races from poor draws and from a good gate here, could expect to see him settle much closer to the speed. Last two starts have been on a slow and heavy tracks and an on a firmer surface, from a good position in the run, capable of a good run at attractive odds.
7. FURBISH – J Byrne (6)
The Collate colt was good in winning an Eagle Farm Maiden and an Open class race at his first two starts before contesting the G2 Champagne Stakes (1200m). As he had done so previously, he settled back in the field in a race and on a track that didn’t lend itself well to that pattern. He only made a marginal amount of ground in the straight and finished eighth (7.2 lengths) behind Brazen Beau. A more solid speed should assist him produce an improved performance but not enough to be winning here.
8. POWER DE TED – L Rolls (9)
Helen Page trained runner who finishing strongly on debut to claim a Gold Coast Maiden (900m) before doing his best work late again at his following start, when fifth (3.3 lengths) in the Listed Ken Russell Stakes (1200m) behind Aimee. Can’t knock either run to date and whilst the Red Element gelding will win his share of races, not sure at this stage of his career, a Group 2 race will be one of them.
Special Offer 2: $250 FREE BET – Ladbrokes
9. PUNTA NORTE – L Nolen (10)
Street Sense colt from Rob Heathcote’s yard whose only start thus far was a fifth (2.9 lengths) in an Ipswich Open (1100m) two weeks ago. Was only warming to his task late on debut and whilst he’ll derive plenty of benefit and experience for the run, it won’t be enough to counter the significant rise in grade.
10. AIMEE – J Taylor (14)
She made it four wins on the trot with a head win as the 11/4 favourite in the Listed Ken Russell Stakes (1200m) three weeks ago. The Exceedingly Good filly took up the box seat from a handy draw in the run and on the heavy conditions, dug deep late to prevail. Steps up in class again here and will have to do a lot more work early than her previous start to find a similar position.
11. STROAK – M Cahill (13)
Won her first two starts before rattling home for second behind Unencumbered in the G3 BJ McLachlan Stakes (1200m) and behind the same horse again when fifth (4.2 lengths) in the 2yo Magic Millions Classic. Spelled after the Millions run and although first up, expected more from her first up in the G2 Champagne Stakes where from back in the field, she made little impression in the run home and finished seventh (7 lengths) behind Brazen Beau. Showed good promise first prep but needed to see more first up to include her among the selections here.
Special Offer 3: $250 FREE BET – Sportsbet
12. SARISARA – T Bell (11)
Red Dazzler filly who won two of her first three starts but just found at least a few stronger in four subsequent runs in better grade. She ran fourth in the G3 Ken Russell Stakes on the Gold Coast before, from an on-pace position, battling away for sixth (2.5 lengths) behind Tales of Fashion last week in the Listed Lancaster Stakes. Will find this no easier.
13. SAGATONA – G Colless (7)
Liam Birchley trained filly still looking for her first win at this, her seventh start. As she did in debut, enjoyed the heavy track conditions when contesting the Listed Ken Russell Stakes at her most recent run where, from the tail of the field, she closed very well falling only a head short behind Aimee. Won’t be a maiden much longer, especially if she strikes a heavy track, but don’t think she’ll break her status here.
14. FREEZETHEMILLIONS – R McMahon (4)
Had the bookmaker’s cheering her on when as a 14/1 shot, she was out-bobbed don the line by Tales of Fashion in last week’s Listed Lancaster Stakes. Steps behind 1200m for the first time in her career and gives the indication that it will suit but the class of this race may be against here.
15. HAVEN ANGEL – T Harrison (2)
Each of the five starts she has produced of which she has placed second twice, both on the Gold Coast track, would suggest she’ll fill a place in this race.
DEPOSIT SMALL BET BIG
Special Offer 1: Deposit $10 BET with $40 – Luxbet
Special Offer 2: Deposit $30 BET with $130 – Centrebet
Special Offer 3: Deposit $25 BET with $100 – Ladbrokes (use code: TWT75FREE)
RACE OVERVIEW
Expect Time For War to go forward today and produce a significant improvement. Trailing him from gate five should be Brazen Beau who should be in the box seat throughout. He was very impressive last start and hard to see him not producing a similar effort again on Saturday. Although still a maiden, Careless could be the big improver here. Hasn’t had conditions to suit last couple and gets the opportunity here to show his best. Looks Like The Cat has shown plenty of potential at his two starts and looks set for a bright future but from poor draw, the speed map has him awkwardly placed.
- BRAZEN BEAU
- CARELESS
- TIME FOR WAR
- LOOKS LIKE THE CAT
