Despite winning his last two races over this course, both at Group 1 and including last year’s edition of this race, punters are side-stepping Buffering ($6.00) for Lankan Rupee and Sydney visitor Terravista – both at $3.70, for this year’s renewal.
Buffering shaded Lankan Rupee in the Moir Stakes when the pair met last month handing the reigning Horse Of The Year his second defeat this campaign as an odds on favourite. Buffering will get the advantage here too after drawing well in gate four compared to Lankan Rupee in nine whilst Terravista, who is having his first start outside of NSW and the anti-clockwise race of racing, will jump from seven. The only other runner under double figures in early market is Rebel Dane ($8.00) who finished a half-length third in the Moir recently and who flashed home for fifth (1 length) in this race last year.
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1. BUFFERING – D Browne (4)
Back with a typically tenacious win in the G1 Moir Stakes (1200m) four weeks ago, his third win from his last five attempts over this track/distance, leading all the way to hold off the challenges of Lankan Rupee (2nd) and Rebel Dane (3rd). Drawn the perfect gate to build on his outstanding record and will be in front for a long way.
Odds: $6.00
2. LANKAN RUPEE – C Newitt (9)
Started odds-on in his two runs back from an outstanding Autumn preparation but has fallen short, albeit just, on both occasions. Went hard in front with Eloping first up in the G2 Mitty’s McEwan Stakes (1000m) and was left vulnerable late when claimed by Angelic Light before surprisingly, handing up the lead position to eventual winner Buffering early in the G1 Moir Stakes (1200m). Drawn a little awkwardly here in gate nine which will mean he’ll have to run Buffering down again.
Odds: $3.90
3. TEMPLE OF BOOM – T Harrison (8)
Gave exciting sprinter Chautauqua 5.5kgs when finishing second first up in the G2 Bobbie Lewis before running fifth (6 lengths) to the same horse again at his next and most recent start, the G2 Gilgai Stakes. Had no answer to the winner over the final stages last start and will find this race no easier, especially from a gate that should see the 8yo settle back in the run. Has run fifth and tenth in this race the past two years.
Odds: $26.00
4. MOMENT OF CHANGE – C Schofield (10)
Lined up at his favourite course and distance – the Caulfield 1400m, when contesting the G1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at his second run back from a spell in August but weakened quickly and unexpectedly from the turn, finishing last and over eight lengths from winner Boban. Subsequently discovered he had suffered a muscle tear in the Memsie and trainer Peter Moody has given the 6yo eight weeks since that run to make a full recovery. Will be giving them a start in the run and the Valley wouldn’t be the most suitable circuit however, he did flash home from well back in last year’s edition, running fourth (0.6 lengths) to Buffering, and will be finishing well here.
Odds: $19.00
5. REBEL DANE – C Williams (3)
The 5yo stallion has finished within a length of the winner in two of his past three attempts at Group 1 level, the most recent of which came four weeks ago in the Moir Stakes where he dove through late to finish a head third to Buffering and Lankan Rupee. The son of California Dane has always threatened to win a race such as this since claiming the G1 Rupert Clark last year and provided he gets some luck from gate three, could fulfil that promise here. Finished fifth (1 length) behind Buffering in last year’s race where he came home hard after circling the field.
Odds: $8.50
6. FAMOUS SEAMUS – T Clark (5)
After a pleasing return from a spell, where the 6yo gelding ran third (2.1 lengths) behind Terravista in the G2 The Shorts, he was sent out a short priced favourite for the G2 Premiere Stakes at his following and most recent start. Overcome a wide run to record a determined head win over Charlie Boy with Wouldn’t It Be Nice completing the placings. Faces tougher company here though and whilst he enjoyed a nice run from a similar gate as to what he has drawn here when defeating Spirit Of Boom and Buffering in the G1 Btc Cup (1200m) earlier this year, that was his only placing from six starts at Group 1 level.
Odds: $17.00
7. TERRAVISTA – J Bowman (7) 58.5kgs
Faces his toughest test to date but has been well prepared for the challenge by trainer Joe Pride who has kept him to the sprint races this time in. The lightly raced 5yo has won eight of his eleven starts including both outings this campaign, the G3 Show County (1200m) and G2 The Shorts (1100m). Camped just off the speed in both before extending well late to defeat both In Cahoots and I’m All The Talk by two lengths respectively. Winning easier races well but the combination of a gate that doesn’t see him map all that well, coupled with the depth of this field and his current price, presents others in this race proven at this level as better value.
Odds: $3.90
8. ICONIC – N Hall (2)
Continued his good form this prep with a fourth (1.5 lengths) to Rubrick in the G2 Schillaci Stakes a fortnight ago, closing well from the back of the field in a leader dominated race, where he gave all those who finished in front of him at least 2kgs. This is a step up again however and if he gets as far back as he has been in recent runs, he’ll require plenty of luck or a career best effort, to be running the likes of Buffering and Lankan Rupee down.
Odds: $67.00
9. NOT LISTENIN’TOME – T Berry (1)
A lot more was expected of this 4yo gelding than he produced when first up in the G2 Schillaci Stakes (1000m) a fortnight ago. Although he hadn’t raced for seven months, the twice G1-placed son of Dylan Thomas had trialled well for his return and seemed to find a nice spot in the run after pulling out of an early speed battle. He was niggled at heading into the turn though and battled in the straight, finishing second to last in the field of seven and close to four lengths from winner Rubrick. Not the effort you want to see heading into a Group 1 and would think he’ll have his hand forced here from the inside draw.
Odds: $26.00
10. PLATELET – B Melham (12)
Returned from a five and a half month spell by running her fourth consecutive second placing – two of which have been in Group 1 company – when chasing Rubrick home in the G2 Schillaci Stakes (1000m). Settled on the leader’s back first up and just had to wait and then work for a run before finishing well late. She has a fantastic second up record, having only finished outside of the top two once in five starts, and whilst the draw here will be a testing factor, she’s never to be underestimated.
Odds: $15.00
11. BOUNDING – M Du Plessis (11)
Smart New Zealand mare that ran second to Chautauqua at her first Australian start, her first run for five months. She settled on the pace as the field made its way up the Flemington straight in the G2 Gilgai Stakes but she was no match for the winner over the final 100m and finished four lengths behind him. Will strip fitter for that run but his is tougher again and for a horse that likes to settle forward, she’ll have to do much early from her gate to have enough left in the tank for holding off the challengers.
Odds: $26.00
12. ANGELIC LIGHT – D Oliver (6)
Caused a boil-over when she claimed Lankan Rupee right on the line in the G2 McEwan Stakes (1100m) two starts ago and then chased Buffering and Lankan Rupee home in the G1 Moir Stakes (1200m) more recently. Had every chance last start but just couldn’t reel in the length margin the leader’s established at the top of the straight last start. Again the 5yo mare will get a lovely run from gate six but would think a filling a place would be her best result.
Odds: $9.00
RACE OVERVIEW
Buffering takes up the lead with Lankan Rupee sitting outside of him this time, not behind him. Little separated the pair last start and no great margin will again either come Friday night which makes Buffering appear over the odds for mine at $6.00. Rebel Dane just had to wait and change direction for a crucial few strides upon straightening in Moir. Would’ve preferred to see him drawn out rather than three but if he gets a touch of luck at the right time, he’ll be right in the mix. Angelic Light is as honest as they come whilst the swoopers Moment Of Change – good in this race last year, and Platelet – never runs a bad race, will add value to the multiples.
- BUFFERING
- LANKAN RUPEE
- REBEL DANE
- MOMENT OF CHANGE
