WGCDR IAN BAYLES DFC
Competitive race. MUKHTALIF (2) was a strong winner at his Australian debut, pushed on to settle in the first pair from a wide barrier and simply proving too good for his rivals, coming away to score by two lengths. He maps ideally here from barrier two and the rise to 1800m only suits better. He's got plenty of upside and will take beating again. FIRST CHORUS (6) won dominantly fresh on heavy ground, striking a very slowly run race last time when just missing. Gets a faster tempo to run at here and just needs a good ride from Pozman to be figuring. Wary of SKIPPERS CANYON (3) at a big price. His return at Caulfield was great when getting home late in the race-fastest splits over 1400m. He's far better suited here. CAVALRY (15) has been dominant in two Newcastle wins his past two. Don't love the draw and the likely tactics from it but he'll be closing off strongly. MR BLUNT (16) was better last time and that form has been franked, each way chance.
Gelding returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last preparation second of 7 at Cork in the LR September 30 over 2112m, 1.3 len behind Purview carrying 59.5kg at $5. Previous preparation first-up won by 1.0 len Leopardstown Mdn Sw August 7 over 1810m defeating Slaney Drive with 61kg at $2.80. Looks forward enough after a recent trial win. Wary, watch betting.
Second-up. First-up after six months favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 2 len at Caulfield Bm74 April 4 over 1800m defeating Figlio D'argento with 59kg at $4.60. Previously second-up 2nd of 14 at Windsor 3&4yo Mdn Sw on July 21 over 2011m, slow going 2 len behind Royal Emblem with 60.5kg at $2. Made a good impression fresh and can go right on with it.
Second run back. First-up after four months 4th of 11 at Caulfield Bm84 on April 4 over 1400m, 2 len behind Merrigold carrying 56.5kg at $9.50. Previously second-up 4th of 11 at Caulfield Bm74 on November 29 over 1800m, slow going 2.75 len behind Opening Address carrying 59.5kg at $3. Good fresh and up in trip suits, go close.
Most recently tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 5th of 10 at Caulfield Bm74 on April 4 over 1800m, 2.5 len behind Mukhtalif with 60.5kg at $13. The start before that 5th of 9 at Bairnsdale Bairnsdale Cup on March 22 over 1600m, 2.25 len behind Kings Valley carrying 54kg at $4. Has a bit to find.
Form hard to fault. Last start 4th of 10 at Caulfield Bm74 on April 4 over 1800m, 2.25 len behind Mukhtalif with 58kg at $8. The race before that 2nd of 8 at Caulfield Heath Bm70 on March 18 over 1800m, long-neck behind Hallowed Halls carrying 60kg at $4.60. Place hope.
Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; scored a big 4 len win at Pakenham Bm70 F&M March 26 over 1400m in the wet defeating Belcony carrying 59kg at $1.90. Second-up raced on the pace when 2nd of 12 at Caulfield Bm74 on April 11 over 1600m, slow going nose behind Oceana Dream with 59kg at $2.70. Capable of a better showing. Should be very hard to hold out.
Second run back. First-up after six months 7th of 12 at Caulfield Bm74 on April 11 over 1600m, slow going 4.5 len behind Oceana Dream with 60kg at $51. Previously second-up 12th of 15 at Caulfield Bm78 on August 30 over 1800m, on a slow track; 9 len behind Unlimited carrying 59.5kg at $13. Looks a fair way off peak form so others are preferred.
At the latest run 3rd of 11 at Stawell Hcp on April 5 over 2000m, 1.2 len behind Wymark carrying 54kg at $12. The start before that 6th of 11 at Sandown-Hillside Bm70 Hcp on March 11 over 1800m, 5 len behind Zakouma carrying 60.5kg at $31. Faces a tough assignment this time.
At the latest run settled back and ran on when 6th of 10 at Caulfield Bm74 on April 11 over 2000m, 2.5 len behind Bring Forth carrying 58.5kg at $8.50. The start before that settled well back; won by 0.8 len at Sandown-Lakeside Bm70 March 25 over 1600m on a soft track defeating Merchant Flyer with 58kg at $12. Draw makes it tricky.
Most recently ran last of 11 at Rosehill 5yo+ Bm78 on April 6 over 1500m, on a slow track; 12 len behind No Drama carrying 58.5kg at $17. Before that raced behind the speed prior to fading 8th of 10 at Warwick Farm Bm78 on March 11 over 1600m, slow going 5 len behind Fiddlers Green carrying 59.5kg at $12. Others preferred.
Form hard to fault. Most recently ran on from midfield and won by a long-neck at Geelong Bm66 April 1 over 1700m defeating Houdini with 59.5kg at $4.40. The run before that 4th of 11 at Sandown-Hillside Bm70 Hcp on March 11 over 1800m, 4.5 len behind Zakouma carrying 58kg at $13. Harder here but not writing off.
Third-up today and placed third-up previously. First-up 6th of 9 at Geelong Bm70 on March 14 over 1412m, 6 len behind Arcandam with 61kg at $17. Second run from a spell second last of 12 at Caulfield Bm74 on April 11 over 1600m, on a slow track; 6 len behind Oceana Dream carrying 58.5kg at $71. Fully tested in this line up.
Recent form sound. At the latest run 4th of 7 at Caulfield F&M Bm78 on April 4 over 1600m, 2.5 len behind Terilee carrying 57kg at $7. Before that 3rd of 7 at Sandown-Hillside F&M Bm70 on March 11 over 1600m, 3.5 len behind Blistering carrying 59.5kg at $3.60. Each way chance.
Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming settled back and ran on when 4th of 8 at Cranbourne F&M Bm70 on March 13 over 1300m, 1.0 len behind A Diva with 58.5kg at $7. Last start 3rd of 7 at Caulfield F&M Bm78 on April 4 over 1600m, 2.25 len behind Terilee carrying 56.5kg at $10. Can be working home late.
Chasing a hat-trick. Last start favourite; came from midfield and scored a big 5 len win at Newcastle Bm64 April 11 over 1890m defeating Valentiago carrying 59kg at $1.45. Before that favourite; won by 3 len at Newcastle Mdn-Sw March 31 over 1850m defeating Scoop The Pool carrying 59kg at $2.30. Dominant in NSW past two, should measure up.
Third-up today. Resuming 6th of 8 at Caulfield Heath Bm66 on March 18 over 1200m, 3 len behind Eternal with 60.5kg at $2.35. Last start tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 8 at Ballarat Cl3 on April 3 over 1400m, 0.8 len behind Rohesia carrying 58.5kg at $4.80. Capable of a better showing. Better last time and that form's worked out well.
Dual acceptor. Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resuming ran on strongly from last on the turn; 2nd of 10 at Sandown-Lakeside Bm70 on March 25 over 1400m, on a slow track; 1.5 len behind Trapdoor carrying 57.5kg at $11. Last start 6th of 12 at Caulfield Bm74 on April 11 over 1600m, on a slow track; 4.5 len behind Oceana Dream carrying 56kg at $5.50. Possible improver third up.
Most recently 4th of 7 at Geelong Bm66 on April 1 over 1700m, 2 len behind Lario carrying 59.5kg at $11. The start before that came home strongly from last on the turn; 3rd of 7 at Warrnambool Bm66 on March 9 over 1700m, 3 len behind Both Sides Now with 59.5kg at $3.20. Others rate better this time.
Third-up today. Resuming ran last of 10 at Pakenham Cg&E Bm62 on March 12 over 1400m, 6 len behind Rasp with 59kg at $41. Last start 5th of 7 at Pakenham 0 - 62 on April 2 over 1600m, 3 len behind Pray Day with 59kg at $26. Can't have.