The feature race of the day is not only a race that holds significant prize-money for the winner, it also ensures that he’ll be a hotly sought after commodity when his racing days are over as a stallion prospect. Redoute’s Choice, Lonhro, Show a Heart, God’s Own have all won this race and gone on to forge successful stud careersor about to embark on careers as leading stallions. More recent winners Starspangledbanner and All Too Hard will have their much anticipated progeny racing in the coming seasons. Who will join the elite list this year? According to the punters, the most likely possible additions to honour-roll will be Darley’s Long John ($3.80) or Prince Harada ($4.60), trained by Tony Vasil. In early markets, the only other two runners under double figures odds are Adelaide’s Éclair Big Bang ($9.00) and New Zealand representative, El Roca ($7.50).
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1. DISSIDENT – L Nolen (13)
Son of Sebring who has produced excellent efforts in each of his four runs this campaign. He was caught wide and on the pace from a poor draw in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) two starts ago but still managed to run second to Zoustar, who was ultra impressive winning the Roman Consul Stakes last weekend, by a neck. That effort encouraged trainer Peter Moody to enter him in the G1 WFA George Main Stakes (1600m) the following week. He settled on the fence, just behind the leaders and didn’t have a great deal of room or luck when searching for a run. He finished 2.4 lengths behind Stream who in turn was beaten a nose in last weekend’s G1 Epsom Handicap. There’s good form all around him at present.
2. CHARLIE BOY – M Rodd (3)
Impressive winner when resuming from an eighteen week spell in September, claiming the G2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) up the Flemington straight defeating Kiss A Rose and Éclair Big Bang. Éclair Big Bang was able to turn the tables on him at his next and most recent start – the G3 Guineas Prelude a fortnight ago. The son of Myboycharlie got back mid-field on the fence and didn’t have much room at the top of the straight but, once clear, hit the line well to run fourth (beaten 3 ¾). That was his first run in three weeks and only his second back this prep. Going on both of those efforts, this trip third up looks ideal and he represents value at $21.00.
3. DIVINE CALLING – N Rawiller (10)
Improving son of Stratum from Gai Waterhouse’s yard, he won the G2 Bill Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley – only after surviving a protest – to narrowly defeat Shamus Award by a nose The win was well deserved given he had to make his run from worse than mid-field and as far out as 700m from home. That victory followed another impressive win, albeit in easier grade, also in Moonee Valley when sitting on the pace. He appears to be a versatile and progressive galloper.
4. LONG JOHN – K McEvoy (1)
This colt by Street Cry has always given the impression that the mile will suit him and, for the first time in his six starts, he gets to that distance here. After winning his first three starts, including the Listed Anzac Day Stakes (1410m), the Darley representative has continued to impress at his three runs since returning from a spell in late August. He dominated the field in the Listed Henry Bucks (1400m) at Flemington two starts back, winning going away by 2 ½ lengths before getting back to worse than mid-field last start in the G3 Guineas Prelude (1400m). He got himself to the outside and open space at the top of the straight and let down well to finish fasts and within a length of winner Éclair Big Bang – who had a much more favourable run. As he did in the Prelude, he’s drawn inside again and in a big field, may require a touch of luck to find the open space he’ll need to wind up but if he does, he’ll be terribly hard to hold out.
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5. SHAMUS AWARD – G Boss (11)
Returned to racing from a twenty-four week spell with a good second (Long John third) behind Cauthen in the Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley. The Danny O’Brien trained galloper then ventured to Caulfield and the Listed Henry Bucks only to get back from an inside draw and find traffic in the run home. He finished seventh (beaten 4 ¼ lengths) behind Long John. He returned to Moonee Valley and to a racing back on the speed when second to Divine Calling in the G2 Bill Stutt Stakes (1600m) last start. Gutsy effort last start but he’s still a maiden and to crack that status in a race such as this is a big challenge.
6. ÉCLAIR BIG BANG – D Tourneur (4)
From the very-much in form Phillip Stokes stable (seven winners from their last fifteen runners), this son of Savabeel contributed to that record with victory in the G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) last start. He got a lovely cart behind a strong speed and finished too well for El Roca and was able to hold off the late challenge from Long John. He had the perfect run last start but again, has drawn a gate that should see him afforded every opportunity in the run and as he has shown, he only needs that half a chance.
7. PRINCE HARADA – D Oliver (12)
He was an easy winner on debut in a Ballart Maiden (1000m) and backed that effort up by stepping out in Open company at his next start at Moonee Valley over 1200m three weeks later, to again score comfortably, this time by a length. The Haradasun colt, who was given a brief let-up by trainer Tony Vasil, returned with a luckless second to Fast’n’Rocking in the G3 McNeil Stakes (1200m). He then travelled north for a tilt at the G1 Golden Rose and from the inside gate, found himself in traffic for most of the straight, limiting his chances to stretch out. He ultimately finished fifth, 3.2 lengths behind Zoustar. Hasn’t raced in four weeks leading in to this race which has to be of some concern but does possess his fair share of ability. His draw will see him drop back and come wide.
8. WEINHOLT – B Melham (6)
He hasn’t been that far away in the right lead up races for this race and the son of Stratum will appreciate the step up to the mile. He trailed Long John during the run and finished second, beaten 2 ½ lengths, in the Listed Henry Buck (1400m) at his third run back from a spell before, three weeks after that run and at this most recent outing, he again followed Long John into the straight but found him too good strong late, finishing fifth (beaten 3.9 lengths). Might not have to get as far back as he did from a poor draw last start, having drawn gate six here but, that being sad, he’ll need to find a few more lengths on recent efforts.
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9. LATE CHARGE – V Duric (9)
The Wendy Kelly trained runner won an Echuca Maiden (by 4 ¾ lengths) and Flemington 2yo race (2 ½ lengths) at his first two starts back in July before brief let-up. He returned in the Listed Henry Bucks and, from the tail of the field, was doing his best work late running sixth (beaten 3 ¼ lengths) behind Long John and Weinholt. His most recent start was in the G2 Bill Stutt Stakes (1400m) where he was caught three wide throughout the run before joining the leaders at the top of the short Moonee Valley straight. He was no match for Divine Calling, Shamus Award and Cluster late, finishing fifth (beaten 3 lengths). Didn’t have much luck last start and will improve ridden with a sit.
10. EL ROCA – C Newitt (2)
New Zealand galloper who had won both starts in his homeland, including the Listed Challenge Stakes (1200m) before crossing the Tasman and lining up in the G3 Guineas Prelude. He led in the Prelude and despite having set a solid speed up front, Newitt went for home on him rounding the bound (400m) and he establishing a couple of lengths lead on his challengers. The son of Fastnet Rock was able to deny all bar Éclair Big Bang who was afforded a lovely trail behind El Roca throughout. Both horse and jockey will be better for having had the experience of last start and, from barrier two, he’ll be leading or on-pace again. He will not have to find much improvement to be involved in the finish again.
11. CLUSTER – J Bowman (9)
Has been making quite an impression in four runs back since returning from a thirteen week spell but the Anthony Cummings trained galloper, is still searching for that elusive maiden win. After storming home in the G3 Run To The Roses (1400m) behind Va Pensiero (Dissident second) to finish fifth (beaten 1.9 lengths) the colt by Fastnet Rock was ridden closer to the speed in the G1 Golden Rose and didn’t have the same sprint, finishing eighth behind Zoustar. He was given a six week break before stepping out in the Bill Stutt Stakes (1600m) where he loomed up ominously on the turn but, being his first run for a over a month, he peaked on his run late and finished third, a long neck behind Divine Calling and Shamus Award. That run will serve him well here and also has the advantage of an in form Hugh Bowman to assist him. Definitely could make a case for him at $21.00.
12. NITE ROCKER – J Bowditch (14)
Lining up for only his fourth start, this Lloyd Kennewell runner is coming off a solid second (beaten 1 ¼ lengths) behind Lion Of Belfort in Open Company (1200m) at Moonee Valley. That followed a comfortably win on a slow track at his home-track of Morphettville in a BM 72 (1050m). The significant step up in distance and class, combined with his poor draw, will make this far too challenging for him and he’s entitled to be big odds.
13. GREAT ESTEEM – C Schofield (5)
He’s overall record of five starts, for two third placings, can be a bit misleading on closer examination. At his second career start, back in March of this year, he ran ¾ length third in the G2 Sire’s Produce Stakes (1400m) behind Twilight Royale, with Shamus Award second. The well bred Redoute’s Choice colt was then spelled and in three runs back, has encountered slow tracks twice on which he as only performed fairly. He’s one attempt on a good track resulted in him running fifth (beaten 1 ½ lengths) behind Stamina, Bull Point and Savvy Nature in a BM 75 (1400m) at Rosehill. Bull Point subsequently produced an outstanding effort to run third in the G1 Golden Rose and Savvy Nature went on to win the G3 Spring Stakes at Newcastle at his next start. Might not be able to win here but will run better than his current quote of $67.00 would suggest.
14. MARWOOD – B Prebble (7)
After winning his first two starts, a Seymour Maiden and Bendigo RST 74 by 4¾ and 4½ lengths respectively, the son of O’Reilly trained by Mike Moroney was well supported despite the rise in grade, when stepping out last start in the G3 Guineas Prelude. Had a nice run throughout midfield and was in the right spot when they turned for home to do more than what he did in the straight. He finished sixth, over 4½ lengths from Éclair Big Bang and would think on that run, he has to make too much improvement to be winning here.
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SUMMARY
El Roca goes forward from his good draw with Éclair Big Bang again happy to trail him. Both will be in advantageous positions throughout and more often than not, a forward position at Caulfield is a bonus. Not sure connections will be all that happy with gate one for favourite Long John however. He may need a little luck in running or alternatively, be ridden closer to the speed than what he has been recently. In a quality field and race, $3.80 is a short price. A few that should not have to rely on luck in running are Dissident and Prince Harada. They’ve drawn wide and whilst they’ll both be giving most of the field a start heading into the straight, their respective jockeys will have the opportunity to put them into the race at a time of their choosing. Both posses class as evident by their recent efforts and can finish home over the top here. Charlie Boy probably should’ve finished closer than what he did last start and at his price, is worth speculating that the luck may come or that he can fill a place. Cluster will derive plenty of benefit from last start’s close up third in the G2 Bill Stutt and could improve enough to turn the tables of Shamus Award and Divine Calling. Great race – as it always is, with plenty of chances.
- DISSIDENT
- EL ROCA
- ÉCLAIR BIG BANG
- PRINCE HARADA