Despite letting punters down last start as the 4/6 on favourite in the Listed Mode Plate (1200m) by finishing third, Missy Longstocking ($2.60) supporters expect the Liam Birchley trained runner to bounce back to the winner’s stall in Saturday’s Group 3 Vo Rouge Plate. She’ll meet a field of fourteen competitors in the set weights race including the pair who beat her home last start, Enquare ($6.00) and Splendora ($7.00) According to early markets, punters firmly believe that the above-mentioned trio are the only runners worthy of consideration as the all bar a further two runners are at odds of better than $13.00 in the race.
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1. ARCHITECT – B El-Issa (9)
Resumed from a twenty-one week spell two starts back and, from the tail of the field, the Bel Esprit gelding snuck home along the fence before peeling out at the right time and finishing too well in the Open Class race, recording a head victory. At his next start and from an inside gate, he tried to produce a similar run but luck was not with him on this occasion and he found plenty of traffic in the straight, before finishing ninth (2.6 lengths) behind Into The Red in the Gold Edition Stakes (1200m). The outside gate shouldn’t harm this big striding galloper’s chances and the step up to 1350m should also suit. Has always shown he has the ability and shouldn’t be dismissed lightly.
2. INTO THE RED – C Munce (15)
Good effort when, off an eight week break, the Kelso Wood trained runner had to make his run early and around the field but was still coming on the line when ½ length second to Rudy. A much sweeter run in his next and most recent run – the Listed Gold Edition Stakes, saw him fight on well for a head win over Choose A Saga and Gundy Spirit. Unfortunately the draw this weekend is as bad as it can be and the colt by Not A Single Doubt will need to produce a career best.
3. DALTON – M Cahill (14)
Kicked off this preparation with a win in a Doomben Open class race (1010m) before drawing wide at his next two starts where he got back and was easily accounted for on each occasion. He stepped out at his most recent run in the Listed Gold Edition Stakes as a 40/1 chance off of those efforts but this time, secured the gun-run in the race courtesy of the inside gate and did well to run fourth (0.9 lengths) behind Into The Red. Back out near the outside fence again for this race and that diminishes his chances significantly.
4. CHOOSE A SAGA – E Wilkinson (8)
Did well when resuming of a twenty week spell when, on a heavy track, having to carry 58kgs, the Real Saga gelding sat second and tried valiantly before running second to Rudy with Into The Red third. At his next start, last fortnight’s Listed Gold Edition Stakes, despite drawing poorly in gate twelve, he shot forward to sit second in the run and again fought tenaciously late to run a head second to Choose A Saga. Can’t knock either run back and if he gets half a run in the race – which he should, no reason why he can’t be involved in the finish again.
5. RUDY – L Cassidy (4)
Took benefit from his first up run mid November and won a 3yo handicap on a heavy track as the 13/8 favourite, defeating Into The Red with Choose A Saga fourth. That was his third – all of which have come on heavy tracks and when he has settled nearer to the speed. His last start saw him get a long way back in the Listed Gold Edition Stakes (1200m) and only make steady ground late to run eighth (2.4 lengths) behind Into The Red. Will settle nearer to the speed today but best chance may be on a track with some give in it.
6. YOU DID WHAT – G Goold (13)
Jumped to the lead when making his return to racing off a nineteen week break in a Sunshine Coast Open class race (1200m) but folded quickly, finishing fifth of nine and almost five lengths from the winner. A break of four weeks saw him return in the Gold Edition Stakes as 66/1 chance and from just worse than mid-field in the run, he was only slightly able to improve his position in the run home and finished seventh (2.2 lengths). Will probably get back further again from a poor draw and that makes a tough task for him, tougher still.
7. CASINO BENJO – A Coome (12)
Rockhampton visitor who has only come to south-east Queensland three times in his thirteen start career and been well accounted for on each visit. His last trip to town was three starts back in an Eagle Farm Open class race over 1500m. The Casino Prince colt had his chance in the run but could only manage ninth in the field of thirteen. Not here.
8. NEPTUNE PALACE – C Newitt (2)
Made it two wins from five starts when, first up off a fifteen week spell, he recorded a long neck win in a Gold Coast Class 2 race (1100m). Does have the services of Craig Newitt (who rides Oakleigh Gal for trainer in previous race) and an inside gate but doubt those two factors will be enough to get him over the line here.
9. GUNDY SPIRIT – R Wiggins (7)
Broke his maiden status two starts back (his fourth race-start) with a soft two length win in an Ipswich Maiden (1200m). Despite the massive rise in class and accordingly, his quote of 20/1, the Jet Spur gelding ran an enormous race in the Listed Gold Edition Stakes last fortnight, coming from last on the turn to run third behind Into The Red (beaten ¾). Extra 150m of this race can only assist and does not need to make much improvement off of last start to go better again.
10. ROYAL SCRIBE – T Harrison (3)
The Publishing gelding won a Gold Coast maiden two starts back by three lengths before diving straight into the deep end and having a go at the Listed Golden Edition Stakes (1200m). He was caught wide in the run and despite finishing eleventh of thirteen, was only three lengths behind the winner Into The Red. He has drawn much better here but still needs to find several lengths improvement before being considered among the better hopes here.
11. SMART HUSS – R McMahon (6)
Lightly raced Husson gelding from the Meagher training establishment, lines up for only start number three but has shown more than enough in his two previous outings to be a worthy participant here. He registered a two length win on debut in an Eagle Farm Maiden before running a length fifth in the Gold Edition Stakes a fortnight ago. Drawn ideally in six and would still be on the improve. At an early quote of $21, may represent some value for the exotics.
12. MISSY LONGSTOCKING – D Browne (5)
The Liam Birchley trained filly has started favourite in nine of her of thirteen starts of which she has won six and will be hoping to make it seven from ten after this race. After competing with success during the Melbourne Spring Carnival, the Sequalo filly returned home off a months break in the Listed Mode Plate as the 4/6 favourite. She draw the widest gate and was taken to the lead but find the last 100m a test and ran third (beaten a neck) to Enquare. Fitter again and definitely better when she is doing the chasing. Her overall record (13:8-0-2) speaks for itself and is the one to beat.
13. ENQUARE – J Byrne (10)
Jason McLachlan’s filly made it three wins on the trot with victory in the Listed Mode Plate last start. She sat just off the speed and, at level weights, was able to run Missy Longstocking down, wining by a neck. That was her first run in seven weeks and would expect her to take good benefit from it. Creates plenty of attention at $6.00 given her last start and Missy Longstocking’s current price
14. SPLENDORA – G Colless (1)
Matt Dunn’s Jet Spur filly started this campaign as a maiden with five starts to her name but has since significantly improved her strike rate by winning three of her last four. She went within a head of remaining unbeaten this prep when a head second to Enquare in the Listed Mode Plate (1200m) last start. She closed well from the back of the field and the step up to 1350m here can only be a plus. May need to negotiate her way through traffic from the inside gate in a big field but no better jockey engaged to handle that task.
15. SHIRAZ ATTACK – T Bell (11)
The Oratorio filly from Gold Coast trainer Gillian Heinrich’s yard, has started favourite in each of her four runs this preparation, winning two and narrowly missing out on the others. She closed well last start and only missed picking up Padrino by a neck in an Eagle Farm 3yo race (1500m). That run was just over a month ago and the return to, what should be a solidly run 1350m, should be manageable but does come up against some proven performers at this level here.
RACE OVERVIEW
The trifecta from the Mode Plate – Enquare (continues to improve and fitter again), Splendora (won three from four this time in and step up in trip looks ideal) and Missy Longstocking (class mare, proven at this level), look to all the key given that they have all drawn well and have the services of three of Queensland’s top riders. Missy Longstocking being able to a sit here rather than having to lead like she did last start, will be the key in her turning the tables. Splendora’s run was probably the best out of the Mode Plate and she’s a good chance at odds. Back to the top for the value runners in the race. Into The Red has won or been involved in all the right lead-up races for this and is double figures whilst Architect will enjoy the extra trip and more room afforded to him from a wider gate.
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- MISSY LONGSTOCKING
- SPLENDORA
- ENQUARE
- ARCHITECT
