TATURA - 17 May 2021
Really good jump out by LAYERUPONLAYER, a 2yo that was only beaten by the 80-rated 4yo Think ’N’ Fly, with a 4L gap to 3rd in Heat 6 on May 17. He’s had a fair few jump outs and trials now - jump outs on Apr 13, Apr 20 and Apr 27, all of which had him dropping out and not having much involvement. His two trials though have been quite the opposite, finishing 2nd in May 3 trial as well as 2nd in this heat. He is a $110k son of Stratum Star, showing good gate speed to lead for much of this heat. He certainly won’t be short of experience or fitness on debut. He’ll go close if he runs up to this bit of work.
VAIL MOUNTAIN looks like a 2yo with some talent. After going to the line with Frontman in an Apr 27 jump out, the gelding put the entire field away in Heat 13 on May 17 where he won by 4L with some ease. He showed good gate speed and was able to find the lead alongside the rail, kicking away around the bend to put up several lengths pretty quickly once D Stackhouse gave him a slight squeeze. He looked a bit green, but like how he’s responded to jockey pressure in his last two jump outs and think he can bring this form into his debut.
Ridden out, but DANA POINT was a huge 7L winner of Heat 17 in the fastest time of the morning to back up her hard held May 11 win. It’s good to see a hard held jump out followed by a ridden out jump out, which will bring her on for that first up run. If she’s in a BM58, think she wins. Even if she pops up in a BM64, can back her anyway, especially if it’s a country (not metro) BM64 like she’s been competing in.
OTHER
EL SALTO was a class above, winning Heat 3 just ahead of Just Jake but gapping 3rd by 4L. Can win a BM64 first up.
MADAM SUPERIOR just got the head down to knock off SO SI BON in Heat 8, the second fastest 850m heat of the morning.
HIT RESET a big 5L winner of Heat 10, clocking the third fastest time of the morning whilst being given a little encouragement from the rider. Probably needs a BM58 first up where we’d expect her to lead and be in it a long way. Can do similar in a lower rated BM64.
ALL OF BRIGHTON is a smart horse, hard held to finish 3rd in Heat 16 behind the winner in PIONEER RIVER. The other one is BOGA DREAMS, who managed 4th but was never asked for an effort and pretty much trailed All Of Brighton throughout. He’s a three-start maiden, having done the quick 4-day back up from his first up to second up run with the jockey (Harry Coffey) saying he’d be better ridden with cover - which is exactly what he did in this trial. Expect him to do the same when resuming off this freshen up, think he can win a maiden but will be mindful or price.
CRANBOURNE - 17 May 2021
OCEAN’S JEN trotted in Heat 13 on May 17 over the 1200m with Address Melbourne a decent margin back in 2nd. She just needs to get to the races now and should be very hard to beat. Her Apr 19 jump out was super over 1000m too - big fan of this filly.
OTHER
ANIMAL KINGDOM x TUMBLE TURN —> Nathan Dunn’s runner in Heat 2 (yellow silks) somehow managed to finish 3rd, only 1L or so off the winner after making up at 10-15L in the straight. This runner was always at the back throughout the heat, but the work that was done late to make up such a large amount of ground was unbelievably impressive. This runner is by Animal Kingdom and is out of the mare Tumble Turn.
THE GAUCH is a nice gelding, his win in Heat 4 no exception. Having enjoyed a nice spell after pulling up lame start, the 4yo has now also been gelded and will go very close to winning a BM70 first up. If this gelding brings him on, we might see him in some upcoming city races.
MUSK LOLLIE debuted in a Flemington maiden, finishing 4th under the guidance of D Oliver to Oxley Road. Returning to the jump outs, this 3yo filly took out Heat 5 and always looked a class above this lot. Looked to move well and with another jump out under her belt, she’ll go very close first up.
NENEKA was really good when winning ahead of star 4yo KINANE in Heat 6. The 5yo mare (Neneka) travelled beautifully under a strong hold throughout the heat, moving super (she didn’t get out of first gear) and will be very competitive in a BM64/BM70 first up. She goes alright.
The winner of Heat 7, IMPRINTED, is out of the mare Indelible who was 2nd in the SA Oaks back in 2007. Despite being by Written Tycoon, this 3yo colt looks to be better suited over a bit further. Coming off a 6-week freshen up having had two runs at 1200m and 1400m, he looks set to be peaking third up and looks likely to step up to a mile or so. Probably won’t be a big price though having started below $3 in both career runs. One to watch regardless.
BALLET MASTER bolted in over 1200m in Heat 12.
CAULFIELD - 17 May 2021
OTHER
SARTORIAL SPLENDOUR would’ve won Heat 1 by lengths if he was ever allowed to run. Instead he over-raced for most of the heat. ROMANCER was good too.
Surprised MIRACLE DAY is still a maiden. A previous feature of our reviews as previous star trialler, his win of Heat 3 (red, blue and white) in the clear fastest time of the morning was no surprise. In his latest run when 3rd, the 2nd horse (Sun Samurai) came out and won his maiden by 1L, so the form is there. This 3yo has a maiden win in him and it should be right around the corner.
The run of the Ciaron Maher runner finishing 3rd under the breeding SEBRING x ROMAN TREASURE was the eye catcher of Heat 6 (orange with black sleeves). This runner made very good ground late in only their first jump out, so keen to put the breeding on the watch list and watch for another jump out.
AVOCA - 17 May 2021
OTHER
NABBED is a daughter of Pasadena Girl, the winner of the Group 1 Champagne Stakes over 1600m as well as being being 4th multiple Group 1’s such as the Sires, Caulfield Guineas and the Oaks - she was obviously a classy horse. This 2yo is by Written Tycoon, so very well bred and was a $320k purchase at the NZ Karaka Sales. She was 2nd to the 3yo Witch Queen in Heat 1, but was never let off the bridal and travelled beautifully. Only her first jump out this prep, she’s one to follow with that sort of breeding.
In her first jump out, the Noblet runner (EXOSPHERE x BELLA HEART) won Heat 2 smartly. Keeping an eye out for another jump out.
PEGGY SELENE is travelling super. She bolted in Heat 3 following a nice Apr 19 jump out behind Mister Mogul and Bam’s On Fire.
BLOOD SWEAT TEARS was a class above over the 1000m in Heat 15. Did have some race fitness though having had two runs this preparation since being gelded. Expect him to be peaking now third up when he goes to the races.
MORNINGTON - 19 May 2021
Two 1000m jump outs now for POLYPHONIC, both of which the 2yo filly has been quietly ridden. The first on May 5 (2nd) and a win in Heat 4 on May 19 (purple), she looks to be travelling pretty nicely. This heat in particular, she was ridden cold out the back but was able to find the rail and the gaps opened up in the straight. She just cruised to the front along the rail to win, albeit in slow time. She is out of a full-sister to the champion Pierro, with her half-brother by Snitzel recently getting sold for $620k at the Inglis sales. Very well bred filly that has had two really nice long distance jump outs now. Also being by Deep Impact, suspect she won’t be a sprinter so looks to be one to follow as she goes deeper into her debut preparation.
OTHER
The 5yo mare BE AMAZING bolted in Heat 5 over 1000m. She was simply way too good but is must be noted that 2nd and 3rd were both Freedman 2yo’s.
BELSIELLE won Heat 9 well over the 750m, cruising to the line and looking like she had a bit to give late. She was good in her first prep without breaking the maiden.
WANGARATTA - 19 May 2021
OTHER
LUNAR HERO is back in VIC after four SA runs that ended in competing in a Group 2. The stable clearly has an opinion of him. Winning Heat 2 comfortably, this gelding can certainly win a BM64 back in VIC (even SA).
FLEMINGTON - 21 May 2021
OTHER
FAULDS is a nice 2yo, winning Heat 2 and travelling beautifully throughout. He can go on with his debut win in his second prep.
BETTER KICK had the better of the handy Influential Jack in Heat 5, the nose roll a very noticeable gear addition here. JUNGLE JIM (pink) cruised in 4th position, looking to travel really nicely.
BETTER KICK the pick of the bench though, he looked super and continued on with it past the line. Can go on with it.
The 2yo JEZOULENKO took it up to the 3yo THE SPHINX in Heat 6, ran in really slick time being the second fastest of the morning. The son of Zoustar was a $100k Inglis purchase.
PERITO MORENO was a nice winner of Heat 8, but it was PAMMY JOY (red) who looked to really close well out wide. These two were clearly the best of this heat.
Big win by MYSTERY FLYER in Heat 9, with the 3yo filly pushing straight to the front and being hard ridden around the bend. A full-sister to Heka Express, her May 12 jump out was pretty poor so not completely sold.