BENALLA - 22 February 2020
CONTRITION was way too good over the 1590m when winning Heat 1, checking off heels to come over the top and win easy.
Pretty much last in a Jan 19 jump out before a much better Feb 2 jump out when 2nd, HUMAN TREADMILL was then no match for a couple of 3yo’s in Hartack or Quiz Show (since 4th MDN) in an 1100m Feb 9 trial before coming back in distance to the 1000m and back to his own age group (2yo’s) where he was way too good and classy. He won Heat 5 on Feb 22 really comfortably in the end and after 4x jump outs and trials now, he will be fit and ready to go on debut.
We blackbooked STONEFIELD after a nice Jan 28 jump out, and he’s since finished 3rd on Feb 12 and then 1st in Heat 9 on Feb 22 where he travelled 3-4 wide throughout before being asked for an effort around the bend where he responded, kicked away well and then the jockey put it away. He hit the line with the ears pricked and although he didn’t beat much and he was ridden out, this was a nice bit of work for a horse that will appreciate more than the 1000m.
GEORGIE’S PRINCESS was a very close 2nd to Vinrose in a Feb 8 trial where they had 3rd covered easily. She was entered to run at Terang, but scratched and instead jumped out in Heat 17 on Feb 22 where she absolutely flew late to win and clocked the quickest 1000m heat of the day too. She was away quietly, settling a clear last and would’ve made up at least 10L over the 1000m here to win - she was hard ridden, but this was impressive. Bit worried about the amount of jump outs she’s had this prep though. She was 3rd on Jan 11 to Sierra Sue around nice horses before really poor 1000m jump outs on Jan 25 and Feb 5. Wary of those but she will be fit and ready to go on debut.
CRANBOURNE - 22 February 2020
RUPERT’S DELIGHT showed nice gate speed to lead and then showed nice late speed to kick away from the field and win by a big margin in Heat 2 on Feb 22 (white with blue sleeves). He looked to do it well and really went to and through the line with some pace to suggest he had more to give. His half-brother and stablemate, Night Of Delight, debuted as a late 2yo and ran well so expecting that this gelding will follow a similar path.
Going to the line in 2nd place just behind Liqueuro (who’s undefeated from 2 starts) and in front of Mr Roger, ALWAYS IN MOMENT didn’t look out of place over the 1000m in Heat 9 on Feb 22 (black) and looks to have overcome the irregular heart rhythm she pulled up with in her only career run (when a $3.10 favourite). She looked to really salvage the line here and following an okay Jan 25 jump out, she’ll be looking to show why she was a $220k purchase with a bold showing first up. We’ll want to be following.
MARCHONS ENSEMBLE is a 4yo gelding from Europe and certainly looked like he has some ability when winning Heat 10 on Feb 22 comfortably in the OTI racing colours. According to the OTI Racing website (here), he’ll be targeted at restricted races before stepping up into open class.
PAY YOUR DUES bolted in Heat 11 but there wasn’t much substance time wise. Not reading too much into this considering he was ridden out as well.
CAULFIELD - 23 February 2020
Resuming as a gelding and for the new Maher/Eustace yard (ex-Danny O’Brien), RESTARTED looked to move well when 2nd in Heat 3 on Feb 23 (light pink) finishing in front of and alongside an alright field in Gyspy Choice and Wyld Savanna. On debut as a 2yo colt he started $2.10 but finished 2nd to a smart on in Crosshaven before stepping up to 1400m on a Heavy9 track and failing (forgive run). He started $2 and $3, so don’t be expecting a big price first up but if he can fulfil that potential he was expected to have with a 2yo, he should go very close first up as a gelding.
LITCHFIELD COUNTY was a blackbooked after a Feb 12 jump out and strengthened his credentials as a must watch and follow first up when finishing 2nd in Heat 7 on Feb 23 (pink) to South Parade who had the benefit of two runs this preparation including being a beaten $1.65 favourite last start. Expect him to go well first up.
TERANG - 23 February 2020
A half-brother to El Fabio, the son of Brazen Beau in POCKET ROX was a comfortable winner of Heat 2 on Feb 23 (blue with red sleeves) over the 800m. He was aware pretty poor, but mustered up speed to sit on the inside of the field with some cover before coming up the inside along the rail late to win by several lengths. He had plenty of speed late and had more to give as he was pulled up just before the line. Kylie Vella doesn’t generally have 2yo’s going around so if he does debut as a 2yo, expect there to be an opinion of him.
Mentioned after a July 14 jump out as a 2yo, WAITINGFORTHEDAY was a very impressive winner of Heat 3 on Feb 23 (yellow) as she was too good for the 75-rated Zabelarina late, who was even coming off a 7-week let up with some residual fitness. She had plenty of early speed in this heat as the jockey restrained her and had her throwing the head around heaps throughout. Once she got into stride in the straight, she was way too for the field and looks to have plenty of talent. Big fan.
Very good closing sectionals from GOLDEN HALO, flying down the middle of the track to finish 2nd in Heat 5.
She was ridden late, but though PINK AND BLACK did a good job of matching Yulong Sovereign for speed early and then kicking away late to win Heat 8 on Feb 23 (pink and black) well in the end. In her first jump out this preparation, she’ll take plenty of improvement of this. She is by Toronado and a half-sister to Westbrook Park and is one we are following. Worth note her that behind her in this heat were Zorro’s Dream, Mystery Shot, Pretty Brazen and Just Hifalutin.
MORNINGTON - 24 February 2020
FIVE STAR DECANTER looks like he might have some talent and a turn of foot. He travelled wide in a 600m Dec 23 jump out when 3rd and then was 4th in a 1000m Jan 6 jump out after going back to last and hitting the line under no jockey pressure at all. He was just as good in Heat 4 on Feb 24 (black and yellow) when again settling off the speed before coming wide a nice turn of foot to make up several lengths and only just miss on the line to finish a close 2nd. His mum raced from 1400m to 2000m so expect this gelding to be no different. Definitely one we want to put in the blackbook and follow.
BALLARAT - 25 February 2020
EXCELLERATION is a nice horse. Much like his two career runs to date, he put in a big run to win Heat 3 on Feb 25 (blue and white). The 4yo gelding was taken to the back of the field as a clear last and was wide throughout, 3-4 wide at least. He then made a run around the outside, travelled up with absolute ease and attacked the line hard, winning win the last stride. His 3L debut win over Freurmond (won his next two starts by 3.2L and 2.2L) reads well now. After a quiet Feb 15 jump out, he’s ready to go back to the races - expect him to go on with it.
REINE HAPPY won Heat 5 comfortably, leading from start to finish but clocked the slowest time of the day.
FLEMINGTON - 26 February 2020
SIRIUS SUSPECT super up the straight in Heat 1, just ahead of the Group 1 Winterbottom winner in ELITE STREET with a huge gap back to 3rd.
HORRIFYING is Group-3 placed over 1600m (3L off Crosshaven and Aysar), but he is also a maiden. He led and was ridden out over the concluding stages but matched motors with the 69-rated Ring Of Honour in Heat 3 on Feb 26 (blue) to win, putting a couple length gap to rest of the field including Order Of Command, Shandy and Mr Satchmo. He is a huge watch if we get him in a maiden early this upcoming prep, hopefully over 1400m or so first up but he might be one to follow second up over 1400m/1600m. Expecting another jump out before then to get a better gauge.
After a nice first up win, ESTORIL PARK can certainly go on with it after a 7-week let up. Her win in Heat 6 on Feb 26 (black with white and red sleeves) was simply super. She showed unbelievable gate speed to find the front by 2L within a matter of strides, was hard held around the bend and then kicked away late under no jockey pressure at all. From her first up win we’ve seen 2nd, 5th and 6th place in their next start and Aminatu (3rd) win her next start. Following her into her next run in a CL1 or BM64.
Not going to do a proper review as we want to see a full jump out where he has more room as this was only his first jump out, but we want to follow MICHIGAN into another jump out after Heat 10 (pink).