The Sydney Review Feb 6

2 weeks ago

Rain came earlier than anticipated. Hard up the inside rail was avoided, but there were good runs up the inside throughout the day and I’d say everything had its chance.

 

All about JAMAEA. Ran home in a clear race F L600m after copping interference top of the straight, and the F L200m OTD. She was back in trip from 1200m to 1000m, so a step back to 1200m is a big follow. 

 

COMMANDO HUNT is promising and lightly raced. Back in trip 4 weeks between runs going Heavy to dry and ran the clear R F L600m. Follow. Favourite ANOTHER ONE was disappointing. Maybe the blinkers come back off? 1400m and leading looks his go now. Barrier was a major disadvantage for STAND YOUR GROUND. Dragged back from the wide draw but a real eye catcher late. Better gate next start can follow, had won two on the trot prior. MNEMENTH sat 3 WNC on speed and only just pipped for a placing. Huge run, 1400m yes! 

 

WRITTEN BEAUTY ran the F L600m OTD sitting wide without cover. A definite satisfactory return. SPACEBOY uncharacteristically missed the start, and that kept him pocketed throughout. He was most unlucky and ran the equal F L200m OTD. Does he beat the winner? It’s all hypothetical, but he didn't get every chance. Liked the fight of CRADLE MOUNTAIN. An absolute enigma, but a good run for further. Desperately wants a 1400m race he can lead and dictate.

 

Very nice win from APRIL RAIN and she remains undefeated this prep. Can sprint off any tempo, which is a great asset. She looks like a Stakes grade miler in waiting. FASHCHANEL every chance, but ran well fresh. First up runs have been her best, so wary of if she can reproduce 2nd up; trials were forward. OUTBACK DIVA squeezed badly early, forced way back. Railed hard, home in R F L200m. Same trip, wet track yes. MADAM LEGEND slow recovery and the thumps; forgive.

 

The sustained speed from PROFITEER was silly good. 7.75 (1100-1000m) / 10.32 / 10.70 / 11.29 / 11.62 / 12.59 (L200m). That speed through the middle stages was brutal, sustained and simply will break the hearts of most rivals. The fact he did it over 1100m 6 weeks between runs says to me that all he needs to do is harness that speed ever so slightly better and he wins the Golden Slipper. You’d think he runs in the Todman 2 weeks prior to The Slipper and if he keeps improving, he will be unbeatable. He should be outright Slipper favourite. Yard reports suggest he is just an absolute powerhouse.

 

NORTH PACIFIC was disappointing if you look at it from an SP point of view, but the run had merit and was just a run of a horse that wants 2000m this prep. Outsprinted by PRAGUE top of the straight, but then ran the 2nd F L200m OTR and warmed up nicely late. “Ran up to the trials” was the phrase, and I too said he trialled much better last prep. Maybe he just trialled like he’s on a 2000m path; he certainly raced like it. PELTZER went 5/5 at Randwick and giving most weight at WFA he ran the F L200m OTR and was dominant. He has put his hand right up for a G1 this prep. 

 

A far more even tempo through the early/middle stages saw the previous race go some ~6L slower than this sprint won by ROCKETING BY, but both races were quality. What it does say is that OLE KIRK is going to be mighty hard to beat when he gets to 1600m. Home in a R F L600m, and a clear R F 6-200m, before peaking late. That is the type of run that is a punter's dream when it comes to following horses stepping out in trip. Didn’t win today, but huge prep incoming. The winner was excellent. When the gap presented he punched it hard. He was held up, held up, held up and then able to explode. Perfect scenario. DAME GISELLE can now be pegged as a dry track; jock noted just didn’t let down, but travelled well. PRIME STAR had the run of the race, but it was still a good return. He has PELTZER form at 1500m. I’d say he’s a level off the top dogs, but there’s a race in him somewhere.

 

ALL TIME LEGEND was pestered and brave. Word is he spells now and then aimed at sprint trips in the Spring. He’s had a great prep. MOUNT POPA was outstanding. Just one soft trial 3 weeks ago and only just outbobbed by SHARED AMBITION who had the two trials and blinkers on fresh. MOUNT POPA has a black type win in him at 2000m this prep without a doubt. 

 

SKY LAB has run the 3rd F L200m OTD over the mile and that’s something only smart ones can do. He has Derby horse written all over him. He had the weight pull, but he was coming straight to Saturday grade off a provincial win and doing it 5 weeks between runs. Superb win. BLAZE A TRAIL luckless. Can stay at 1600m and go again. Preferably on a Good track.