Howmuchdoyouloveme lines up to defend in his title in this year’s W. J. Healy Stakes, the first of three Group races scheduled for Eagle Farm this Saturday. The Con Karakatsanis trained galloper will carry 60kgs, the same he carried to victory last year when he defeated recent G1 Stradbroke winner River Lad by a head. Unlike last though when he started the 7/4 favourite, he opened an $11 chance in early markets with tag of favouritism this year going to Bennetta ($4) just in advance of local hope Cape Kidnappers ($4.20).
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1. HOWMUCHDOYOULOVEME – N Rawiller (3) 60kgs
Resumed from a thirteen week spell by running seventh (3.6 lengths) in the Listed Lightning (1000m) at Eagle Farm a fortnight ago. He was assigned 61kgs for that race and from a wider draw, settled much further back in the run than normal and from that position under that weight, he failed to make an impression. Fitter again, drawn to go forward and can make the improvement required on the first up effort.
2. CAPE KIDNAPPERS – D Browne (6) 58kgs
He registered his ninth win at his thirteenth start with a head victory in the Listed Lightning Stakes (1000m) last start, a win that followed a strong 2 ¼ win over Adebisi in the Listed Chief De Beers. Was perfectly placed in the run by Browne last start and fought hard late to record the win, defeating Big Money by a head with Rocky King third. He is a winner and will be right in the mix here but does take on the 1200m for only the second time of his career; the previous attempt was in restricted grade at only his third start, and does rise 2kg from last start. Two factors that have to be considered.
3. EXCELLANTES – T Bell (7) 57.5kgs
Best to forget his run in the Listed Bribie Handicap two runs back when nothing went right from a wide draw and showed his true capabilities in last fortnight’s Listed Chief De Beers when third (2.5 lengths) to Cape Kidnappers. Shot over from a wider draw to race on a hot speed with Adebisi whilst under 59kgs. Meets Cape Kidnappers 4kgs better today and if Bell can find a spot early, Rob Heathcote’s gelding can again figure in the placings.
4. ADEBISI – (2) 56.5kgs
Resumed from a spell in the Listed Chief De Beers and crossed from wide gate to take up his customary position at the front of the field. Felt the pinch late though under 59kgs and was no match over the final 100m for winner Cape Kidnappers, whom he meets 6kgs better at the weights. Unwanted in betting at his next and most recent start, drifting from 12’s out to 16’s and ran accordingly, weakening quickly from a leading position to run eleventh (4.9 lengths) behind Cape Kidnappers again in Lightning Handicap. Will lead from two but yet to win at this track/distance in eight attempts and last start doesn’t instil confidence.
5. FACILE TIGRE – E Wilkinson (9) 56.5kgs
This son of Catbird ran second in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate last year behind Mrs Onassis however, in seven runs since that race, he has failed to secure a place. His most recent run, a fortnight ago in the Listed Lightning Stakes (1000m), was his first in nineteen weeks and resulted in a sixth (2.1 lengths) placing behind Cape Kidnappers after he made ground from last on the turn. Not a bad run for a first up effort last start and the extra furlong should suit but off of his form over the past year, could only give him a place chance at best.
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6. ROCKY KING – T Harrison (5) 56kgs
He had won ten of twenty-two starts when kicking off his campaign in the Listed Lightning Stakes (1000m) a fortnight ago when within a length of improving his already handsome strike rate, when third to Cape Kidnappers. Drawn to get a good run here but has only raced beyond 1000m a handful of times and been accounted for on each occasions.
7. BENNETTA – T Berry (8) 55kgs
Went within a long neck of registering her fourth career win and her first since claiming the G2 Light Fingers when third Sacred Star and Masthead in the G2 QTC Cup. Sacred Star has subsequently run very well in the G1 Stradbroke Handicap whilst Masthead run second in last week’s Eye Liner Stakes to the good galloper Alma’s Fury. 55kgs, a dry track and solid speed up front are all to her liking and she should take a lot of holding out.
8. SEEKING MORE – G Boss (1) 54kgs
A consistent Sequalo gelding who always tries his best, as was the case in the Listed Bribie Handicap and the more recent Lightning Stakes. He took up a forward position in both races and stuck on to run fourth (1.9 lengths) and fifth (1.3 lengths) respectively. Will get a nice run behind the pace here from gate but at this level, likely to find at least a few too good.
9. METALLURGICAL – R McMahon (4) 54kgs
His last win came in the Listed Hinkler Quality, two years and nineteen starts ago now although, the well bred son of Redoute’s Choice has threatened to break the drought in each of his three runs in this campaign. He ran second to Pure Purrfection first up and then had little luck in the run home along the fence when fourth (3 lengths) behind Cape Kidnappers. Again, not a great deal of room in the run home when fourth (1.3 lengths) in the Lightning Handicap to the same horse. A bit of luck could have him looking at a hat-trick here and the be looking for him charging late.
10. BIG MONEY – R Thompson (10) 54kgs
A big win at Scone when trapped wide throughout in a BM 75 (1100m) was followed up with a better effort again, when finishing a head second to Cape Kidnappers in the Listed Lightning Stakes. Great effort last start, after drawing an inside gate and coming home from the back in the field in restricted room, a similar effort here where he meets Cape Kidnappers better at the weights and over 1200m, would see him turn the tables.
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RACE OVERVIEW
Adebisi leads out from Howmuchdoyouloveme with Excellantes going forward from a wide gate and the pace will be strong. Bennetta looks very well placed here after her recent start in a better quality race with the form holding up very well. She’ll bide her time with Berry pulling her out at the top of the straight and finishing well along with a couple of swoopers in Metallurgical and Big Money. Big Money last two runs have been outstanding and if the Choisir 4yo keeps improving at the rate he has been, he’ll make it six wins from ten starts.
- BENNETTA
- BIG MONEY
- METALLURGICAL
- CAPE KIDNAPPERS