The first of three feature races on the card, the WA Guineas also represents possibly the best chance the locals have of claiming victory. With interstate horses dominating the betting in the Group 1 races that follow, Simon Miller’s Miss Rose De Lago, favourite here at $3.00, will be attempting to fly the flag early for the home-state. The improving filly appears to be all the requirements to beat the boys judging by her last two wins. Her biggest threat could come from the Melbourne Cup winning combination of Gai Waterhouse and Damien Oliver who will team up with Vitello. The Sydney-sider brings with him strong form references and is on the second line of betting at $5.00, in from an opening quote of $6.00
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1. TRICHOLOGIST – P Harvey (13)
Based on his three runs during the autumn, which included second placings in the G2 Karrakatta Stakes and G3 Sire’s Produce, it is fair to say a lot more has been expected from this son of War Pass in two runs since returning from a spell, than what he has produced. He sat on the speed and weakened in the run home to finish eighth (3 lengths) in the Listed Belgravia Stakes before drawing poorly and from the tail of the field, never raising hopes when second to last in the Listed Fairetha Stakes (5 ¼ lengths). Drawn wide again and would need to improve.
2. PETROL POWER – SCRATCHED
3. MOET ME – D Whyte (6)
His chances certainly improved when leading international jockey Douglas Whyte was booked for the ride. Moet Me, no relation to Mr. Moet, won his third race from nine starts with a narrow victory in a RST 72 race (1400m) two starts back. He then stepped up to contest the Listed Fairetha Stakes a fortnight ago and finished well from the tail of the field to run seventh (2 ¾ lengths) behind Saint Bro. He will not get that fair back from gate six and is capable of a strong performance.
4. TERROR FORCE – J Noske (4)
The Al Maher gelding has had four starts this time in with the latest two suggesting that, with the right run, which he should get from gate four, he is not without some hope. He finished sixth and within two lengths of Arcadia Rose in the Listed Belgravia Stakes (carrying 58kgs) and closer again (1.1 lengths) behind Saint Bro in the Fairetha Stakes when fourth. They are the right races to be competitive in leading into this event.
5. IHTSAHYMN – S Parnham (2)
He rounded out his previous campaign with a strong three length win over a mile – his third victory from only five starts at that point in time. The Fred Kersley trained galloper returned with a fair performance in the Belgravia (seventh, beaten 2 ¼ lengths) before closing well when two lengths behind Saint Bro in the Listed Fairetha Stakes. Will certainly appreciate the step up to the mile and has already met with some early support, firming from $14 into $12.
6. SAINT BRO – P Carbery (15)
Unbeaten Flying Pegasus gelding who is a half brother to the well performed Darley runner Offenders. After winning a restricted race on debut he handled the step up in grade with relative ease winning the Listed Fairetha Stakes at his next start by ¾ of a length. On both occasions he has sat up on the speed and found plenty when asked but he has also drawn good gate each time – two and four respectively. Here he has drawn the nearer the outside in gate fifteen.
7. MOONSEARCH – T Turner (14)
Won two of his first three starts earlier this year but although he has gone close since, the Danehill Dancer colt hasn’t been able to chalk up his third win despite a further five attempts. As a 15/1 chance second up from a break, he rattled home to run a head second to Run For Rum in Restricted race over 1400m before, at his most recent start, settling handier to the speed and sticking on well to claim third behind Saint Bro in the Fairetha Stakes. Can’t knock that effort where he also lost a plate however, he tackles the mile for the first time and has drawn poorly.
8. RUN FOR RUM – D Staeck (9)
Winner of a Belmont Park Open 3yo race at his third career start and immediately backed that up with another victory in a Restricted race at Ascot where he accounted for Moonsearch. Took the step up to Listed level last start in the Fairetha Stakes but from the widest gate, he’s job was always going to be a difficult one and he finished eleventh (3.9 lengths) behind Saint Bro. Drawn better today but doubt that factor alone will not be enough to see him win here.
9. VITELLO – D Oliver (3)
Led and held on well to run third (beaten 0.6 lengths) behind Best Case and Kirramosa two starts ago at Randwick. Best Case has ran fourth in G3 and G2 in Victoria since whilst Kirramosa went on to claim the Wakeful Stakes/VRC Oaks double. Vitello stayed in Sydney however and under 59kgs, dug deep late to hold off Mutajara in a BM 68 (1800m). He’s had six starts since making his debut back in late August so definitely fit enough and, is one of only four horses in the race to have won at or beyond a mile. He’ll give them plenty to chase.
10. LOW TIDE – W Pike (7)
Finished well to record a neck win in a Restricted race at his second run back from a spell before again closing well behind Wroughted in a BM 60 (1400m) race. He took the step up in grade at his next and most recent start but was found to be a few lengths off the pace when eighth of sixteen (3 ½ lengths) behind Saint Bro in the Listed Fairetha Stakes. He would need to improve too much off of that effort to be winning this race.
11. WEEKEND SHADOW – B Parnham (1)
The Bernardini colt won on debut back in April this year for trainer Neville Parnham but in seven subsequent starts, has only managed to register a few minor placings. After running fourth of ten in an Open 3yo race over 1500m, he stepped out in the Listed Fairetha Stakes as a 30/1. He drew the second to widest gate in the field of sixteen and settled at the tail of the field before running tenth (3 ¾ lengths) behind Saint Bro. Will go forward here and should be afforded a lovely run behind likely leader Vitello. Has blown out in early markets from $17.00 to $26.00.
12. STEP RIGHT UP – C Newitt (10)
Won his second career start back in July but hasn’t been able to run a place in his six starts since. The Dehere gelding’s latest start was a poor sixth of ten (6 ¾ lengths) in a Restricted race at Ascot over 1500m. That effort is not good enough for him to be considered a chance here.
13. THUNDERCLAP NEWMAN – S McCruddy (5)
Recorded his second win from his four starts with an impressive 5 ½ length victory in a Restricted race over 1500m, defeating Devotto. Off of that effort, it certainly worth having a shot at this race. The Song of Tara gelding will have to improve again but he’s lining up for only start number five and the step up to a mile should be a positive. He’s one to include for those looking for some value in the multiples.
14. MISS ROSA DE LAGO – P Knuckey (12)
It has been hard not to be impressed with this progressive filly’s last two wins. She has led on each occasion and given plenty when challenged over the final stages. After winning the Listed Burgess Queen Stakes by a length, she stated odds-on in the G3 WA Champion Filly (1600m) and prevailed by ¾ of a length. On both occasions beating home Via Laurentina. She has drawn wide here and may have to possibly do some work early if she’s again to take up a forward position however, this factor hasn’t deterred punters who took the $3.30 she initially opened up at which has seen her price tighten to $3.00.
15. VITAL IMPORTANCE – C Parnham (11)
Ran last first up three starts back when resuming from a seventeen week spell and in two subsequent runs, has shown only slight improvement. She finished close to ten lengths behind Miss Rose De Lago in the Burgess Queen Stakes at her next start before last week, finishing fourth (beaten 4 ¼ lengths) behind the same horse again in the WA Champion Filly Stakes. Hard to see her turning the tables on the favourite here.
16. VIA LAURENTINIA – SCRACTHED
The Stratum filly has been gallant chasing home Miss Rose De Lago at her last two starts when beaten a length in the Burgess Queen Stakes and ¾ of a length in last week’s WA Champion Filly. She has had her chance on each occasions where, from good draws, she’s been able to stalk Miss Rose De Lago but unfortunately, from the widest gate, she will not be afforded that opportunity here.
17. HUDSON RIVER – (8)
Surprised most when, as a 50/1 chance, she finished well to run fourth behind Arcadia Rose in the Listed Belgravia Stakes but her two subsequent runs, last in a restricted race and twelfth of sixteen in the Listed Fairetha Stakes, would indicate that the Belgravia run was the exception to the rule. On her two most recent runs, she’ll start a big price.
RACE OVERVIEW –
It will be interesting to see just how keen Miss Rose De Lago and Saint Bro are for the lead here from their wide gates and secondly, how keen Vitello is to either beat them to that spot or, make her work for it. Either way, it’s the option that Oliver has on Vitello that may prove the advantage. His last two starts have been very good and the decision not to go to Victoria and concentrate on this race instead, should pay dividends. Fred Kersley’s runner Ihtsahymn has produced two solid efforts since resuming and given every indication that the mile is right up his alley. He may require a little luck from an inside draw given he likes to get back but if Parnham can find the right way home, look for him to be finishing hard late. Miss Rose De Lago to round out the placings.
- VITELLO
- ITSAHYMN
- MISS ROSE DE LAGO
- MOONSEARCH
