Only a small field to take part in the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes this year, continuing a worry trend over recent years. Rob Heathcote has produced some big results from a small team during the spring carnival this year. Buffering won his maiden Group 1 whilst Fire Up Fifi claimed the G2 Blazer Stakes and Solzhenitsyn, the second favourite in this race at $3.80, claimed consecutive Toorak Handicaps at his most recent start. Favourite is David Hayes’ Jet Away ($3.00) after an impressive performance first up in the Turnbull Stakes and a tenacious fifth in the G1 Caulfield Cup.
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1. MOURAYAN – S Arnold (4)
The 8yo has only had the two starts since resuming from a nineteen week spell. Not much was expected from him first up as indicated by his quote of 80/1 but, his effort to finish midfield in the field of fourteen behind Foreteller in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) was a credible one. He then had four weeks off and travelled to Sydney for G1 The Metropolitan (2400m) where he drew wide and pushed forward from the jump to sit second behind Julienas. His fitness, as expected, told late and he weakened in the run home to finish eighth, three lengths behind stable-mate Seville. Fitter again and did run second to Glass Harmonium in this race two years ago.
2. MR MOET – D Oliver (5)
Not much as gone right for this 6yo this prep. He kicked off this campaign in the Makybe Diva Stakes and found plenty of trouble in the run before encountering a slow track and pace in the G1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) when eighth of fourteen, 3 ¾ lengths behind It’s A Dundeel. He was doing his best work last in the JRA Cup (2040m) when fourth behind Mourinho and then, at his most recent start in the G1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), he was specked at decent odds and produced his best run this time in. He had a lovely run throughout and his chance in the straight but was only 2 ¼ lengths behind Fawkner on the line. He’ll get a lovely run again from gate five and does have a third to All Too Hard and second to Foreteller on his CV from earlier this year.
3. SIDE GLANCE – J Spencer (6)
Overseas galloper who made his Australian debut in last week’s G1 W. S. Cox Plate (2040m). The 7yo by Passing Glance settled just off the pace from his inside draw but not sure he appreciated the tight Moonee Valley circuit as his jockey last week, Craig Williams, had to guide him around the home turn. He stuck on well for sixth, finishing just over four lengths form Shamus Award. That was his first run in ten weeks and on the much big spaces of Flemington’s track, an improved effort would not surprise.
4. SOLZHENITSYN – N Rawiller (2)
Simply cannot fault any of his three starts this campaign. He ran second first up (under 58.5kgs) in the G2 Theo Marks (1400m) before running a head third to Rebel Dane in the G1 Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at his following start. That had him primed for his attempt to make it back-to-back victories in the Toorak Handicap. He had a lovely run in the Toorak, sitting fifth off a good speed and was too good for them over the final stages winning by 1 ¼ lengths. Carried 58.5kgs in the Toorak this year compared to 52kgs last year, indicating just how well he is going. He attempts this trip for only the second time in his career (the first at only his third start) but no better time for him to try given his current form.
5. MORIARTY – C Newitt (9)
Won the G2 Hill Stakes (2000m) three starts back, his third run back from a spell and his subsequent efforts in the G1 The Metropolitan and G1 Caulfield Cup have been full of merit. He got too far back in The Metropolitan Handicap and closed well to run fifth (beaten 1.4 lengths) behind Seville and again, was doing his best work late in the Caulfield Cup when finishing within three lengths (tenth) of Fawkner. Only his second go at WFA with his first coming earlier this year in the G2 Eagle Farm Cup (2200m). He ran a length fourth to Quintessential then and going just as well if not better, now.
6. JET AWAY – G Boss (1)
Remarkable effort first up off a six month break when finishing within two lengths of Happy Trails in the G1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m). Adding further credit to his Turnbull run was that he ran into trouble over the concluding stages. That effort saw him start a well supported (9/1) in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) but being only second up, the 7yo was still fresh and over-raced to the point that his jockey Damien Oliver, had to let him slide forward passing the 1000m. He joined the leaders wider out at the 500m mark before hitting the lead at the top of the straight and doing well to stick on for fourth (beaten 1 ¾ lengths). Will be better for having had that run and his previous effort in the Turnbull, over this track and trip, stands him in very good stead.
7. PAKAL – J Bowman (3)
He settled a long way back in the G3 Naturalism Stakes, two starts ago, and did well to produce the finish he did given the race was dominated by leader and eventual winner, Mr. O’Ceirin. He finished fourth (beaten 2 ½ lengths) and was given three weeks off before next stepping out in the Listed Cranbourne Cup (2025m). The Mick Price trained runner made light work of his top weight of 60kgs and recorded an impressive 2 ¼ length win over Sertorius – who won the Bendigo Cup on Wednesday. That was his second win from five starts in Australia since May this year and we still may have not yet seen the best of this lightly raced 5yo.
8. HVASSTAN – B Prebble (7)
After below par performances in a Caulfield Open class (1700m) race and the G3 David Jones Cup (2000m), he was taken to Moonee Valley last week by trainer Peter Gelagotis for an Open class race over (2040m). From a wide gate Hugh Bowman rode the 4yo out of the gates to sit second where he fought on strongly over the final stages holding off all challengers to record a head win. This is a significantly tougher race though and his first attempt at WFA. His current quote of $34.00 is an accurate one.
9. DEAR DEMI – C Munce (8)
A quality 4yo mare who won the VRC Oaks this time last year and has returned with stunning performances in her four runs this preparation. She sat behind It’s A Dundeel and Atlantic Jewel in the G3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) and chased the pair valiantly in this straight when third. To prove it wasn’t an exception to the rule, she snuck home along the fence to run third in the G1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) two starts later, at her most recent outing. Drawn wide makes it tough but she drew the extreme outside gate in the Caulfield Cup too and can’t leave her out of the leading chances.
RACE OVERVIEW
Hard to find a natural leader here and as is the case with most WFA events, this will be a tactical race. From his inside gate, Jet Away should get the opportunity to be in the right position however this race pans out. The Caulfield Cup will have taken the edge of him and expect him to settle much better here. Similarly Pakal, who was very impressive last start, has also drawn a gate that will see him placed to advantage throughout. He’s only had five runs in Australia – for two impressive wins, and although this is his first attempt at WFA during that time, he appears to possess all the attributes required. Solzhenitsyn in solid form but is some query over the 2000m at WFA whilst the value lays with Side Glance ($17.00).
- JET AWAY
- PAKAL
- DEAR DEMI
- MR MOET