HOWDEN VICTORIA DERBY
The Group 1 Howden Victoria Derby and OBSERVER (1) goes clearly on top. He was desperately unlucky and arguably should've won the G1 Caulfield Guineas two back before an arrogant win last week in the G2 Moonee Valley vase. He was eased right down late by Mark Zahra and could've won by at least another two lengths if ridden out. The draw looks perfect and he should stay the 2500m. PROVIDENCE (6) got back and charged home into second behind Observer last week. While the 0.5 length margin is underselling Observer's win, Prodivdence will relish 2500m on the big track, although the wide draw isn't ideal. O'SHEAMUS (9) was third in the Vase behind that pair when just held up at a crucial stage. He can run a strong race. OPTIONS (5) draws better this time and can improve while MIEWA (4) might be the one through the Caulfield Classic getting to 2500m.
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Racing well recently. Last start favourite; won by 0.5 len at Moonee Valley G2 Vase October 25 over 2040m defeating Providence carrying 57kg at $1.75. The race before that raced on speed throughout when 3rd of 15 at Caulfield in the G1 Caul Guineas on October 11 over 1600m, 2.5 len behind Autumn Boy carrying 57kg at $20. Dominant last week, sets up beautifully here.
Last start rolled along in front then was edged out late 2nd of 11 at Geelong in the LR Geel Clsc on October 23 over 2200m, on a slow track; long-neck behind Azazel with 60kg at $4.40. Before that second last of 15 at Caulfield in the G1 Caul Guineas on October 11 over 1600m, 8 len behind Autumn Boy with 57kg at $31. Tried hard last time but this looks too tough.
Chasing a hat-trick. Most recently won by 0.8 len at Caulfield G3 N Robinson October 18 over 2000m defeating Miewa carrying 57kg at $4.60. The start before that was well back until straightening; raced back then made ground from the turn; won by a nose at this track 3yo C&G-Swp September 21 over 1800m defeating Engine Of War carrying 56kg at $4.60. Hard to knock but the draw isn't ideal.
Form hard to fault. At the latest run 2nd of 8 at Caulfield in the G3 N Robinson on October 18 over 2000m, 0.8 len behind Autumn Mystery with 57kg at $4.20. The run before that 2nd of 12 at this track in the LR Super Impose on October 4 over 1800m, nose behind Options with 57.5kg at $3.40. Coming along well, ready to fire up in trip.
At the latest run eased back early on 5th of 9 at Moonee Valley in the G2 Vase on October 25 over 2040m, 4 len behind Observer with 57kg at $4.60. The race before that won by a nose at this track LR Super Impose October 4 over 1800m defeating Miewa with 57kg at $6. Drawn well and can make his presence felt.
Last start ran on strongly from last on the turn; 2nd of 9 at Moonee Valley in the G2 Vase on October 25 over 2040m, 0.5 len behind Observer with 57kg at $7. The race before that 8th of 16 at Rosehill in the G3 Gloaming on October 11 over 1800m, 4.5 len behind Shangri La Boy carrying 56.5kg at $8. Very good last week, just needs luck from the draw.
Racing well recently. Most recently came from midfield and won by a long-neck at Geelong LR Geel Clsc October 23 over 2200m in soft going defeating Highvol with 57kg at $6.50. The start before that 4th of 12 at this track in the LR Super Impose on October 4 over 1800m, 1.2 len behind Options carrying 57kg at $15. Will stay the trip, can run a place.
Last start 5th of 11 at Geelong in the LR Geel Clsc on October 23 over 2200m, slow going 1.2 len behind Azazel with 58kg at $6. The race before that second last of 12 at this track in the LR Super Impose on October 4 over 1800m, 3 len behind Options carrying 57.5kg at $12. Can't have on recent form.
Form hard to fault. Last start 3rd of 9 at Moonee Valley in the G2 Vase on October 25 over 2040m, 1.5 len behind Observer with 57kg at $10. The run before that won by a head at Warwick Farm Super Mdn October 6 over 1600m defeating Crusader Voyage with 54kg at $5.50. Should stay strongly and can improve again.
At the latest run held ground to the line 3rd of 8 at Caulfield in the G3 N Robinson on October 18 over 2000m, 0.9 len behind Autumn Mystery carrying 57kg at $26. Before that 7th of 12 at Bendigo Mdn-Sw on October 5 over 1500m, 3 len behind Couldthisbetheone carrying 57kg at $2.45. Maps well but risking.
At the latest run raced behind the speed prior to fading second last of 8 at Caulfield in the G3 N Robinson on October 18 over 2000m, 4 len behind Autumn Mystery carrying 57kg at $2.70. Before that 2nd of 12 at this track 3yo C&G-Swp on September 21 over 1800m, nose behind Autumn Mystery carrying 57kg at $6. Poor last time, hard to have off that.
Most recently tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 11 at Geelong in the LR Geel Clsc on October 23 over 2200m, on a slow track; 0.9 len behind Azazel with 57kg at $3.60. The start before that favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 5 len at Sale Mdn-Sw October 8 over 1744m defeating Savisanta carrying 57kg at $2.80. Had his chance last time, risking.
At the latest run 4th of 9 at Moonee Valley in the G2 Vase on October 25 over 2040m, 3 len behind Observer with 57kg at $61. The start before that 14th of 16 at Rosehill in the G3 Gloaming on October 11 over 1800m, 9 len behind Shangri La Boy carrying 56.5kg at $91. Has plenty to find.
Last start 3rd of 11 at Geelong in the LR Geel Clsc on October 23 over 2200m, on a slow track; 0.8 len behind Azazel carrying 57kg at $9.50. The race before that 2nd of 11 at Sale Mdn-Sw on October 8 over 1744m, 5 len behind Matsuda with 57kg at $2.15. Promising stayer but needs to go to another level.
Third race start today. When well in the market at debut, won by a nose at Wodonga Mdn-Sw September 16 over 1590m defeating Pleasing Smile carrying 57kg at $4.40. Last start 5th of 8 at Caulfield in the G3 N Robinson on October 18 over 2000m, 1.0 len behind Autumn Mystery with 57kg at $20. Open to improvement but will need it.
Last start 4th of 8 at Caulfield in the G3 N Robinson on October 18 over 2000m, 0.9 len behind Autumn Mystery carrying 57kg at $9. Before that 4th of 12 at this track 3yo C&G-Swp on September 21 over 1800m, 2 len behind Autumn Mystery carrying 56kg at $71. Has a bit to find.
Third-up today. First-up 5th of 12 at this track in the LR Super Impose on October 4 over 1800m, 1.4 len behind Options with 57kg at $9.50. Second-up from last on the turn 6th of 8 at Caulfield in the G3 N Robinson on October 18 over 2000m, 1.2 len behind Autumn Mystery carrying 57kg at $5.50. Improver up in trip but not sure how he wins from the gate.
Most recently settled back and ran on when 6th of 11 at Geelong in the LR Geel Clsc on October 23 over 2200m, slow going 1.5 len behind Azazel with 57kg at $8.50. The start before that 10th of 16 at Rosehill in the G3 Gloaming on October 11 over 1800m, 7 len behind Shangri La Boy carrying 56.5kg at $41. Looks tested in this field.
Most recently 7th of 9 at Moonee Valley in the G2 Vase on October 25 over 2040m, 5.5 len behind Observer carrying 57kg at $16. Before that won by 4.5 len at Warrnambool Mdn-Sw September 22 over 2000m on a soft track defeating Nicoffhome with 57kg at $1.95. Outclassed on latest.
Most recently from last on the turn 9th of 11 at Geelong in the LR Geel Clsc on October 23 over 2200m, on a slow track; 4 len behind Azazel with 57kg at $41. The start before that 10th of 12 at this track in the LR Super Impose on October 4 over 1800m, 2.5 len behind Options carrying 57kg at $151. Can't win.