Kerrin McEvoy upset most punters when he won the 2011 edition of the Carrington Stakes aboard Jest Crewsin’ at $21 but he’ll be hoping to keep them satisfied this year with his mount for Saturday’s race She’s Clean, the early favourite at $4.20. Vying for the same position is That’s A Good Idea ($4.40) who bounced back to his best when pushing the well regarded Ball Of Muscle all the way in the Listed Takeover Target Stakes at Gosford recently. Gai Waterhouse will be hoping to make it consecutive victories in the race with last start winner Spurtonic ($6.50) after No Looking Back, who started favourite, saluted last year. Two more runners are under double figure odds in early markets Heart Testa ($9.00) and Ninth Legion ($6.00), last year’s The Villiers winner who will tackling this race first up from a spell.
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1. SPURTONIC – B Shinn (11) 59kgs
The lightly raced 5yo was on the Gold Coast last start for the MM Cup (1400m), his first run since October of last year, and from worse than midfield, took advantage of a clear through the field in the straight to finish hard and claim Strawberry Boy right on the line. Has always had above average ability and whatever the problems were that had kept him away from the track over the past year seemed well and truly sorted judging by his Gold Coast effort. Despite the top-weight and awkward draw, he can’t be ignored.
Odds: $6.50
2. HEART TESTA – J Collett (5) 58kgs
Started favourite in this race last year (finished sixth to Dances On Stars) and is going well enough this time in to be considered a hope again this year. Closed strongly at his most recent start to run fourth (1.1 lengths) behind Barbed in the Canterbury Classic. Hasn’t yet won over 1400m but he his drawn to get a good run here and his last three starts over the trip, all at Listed level, haven’t seen him finishing far from the winner.
Odds: $9.00
3. NINTH LEGION – J McDonald (1)
Spelled after a very good fourth (1.7 lengths) to He’s Your Man in the G1 Epsom Handicap and has been prepared for his comeback by Hawkes Racing with a quiet trial earlier this week. The 5yo bumped into Terravista at his past two fresh runs, running third to him in the G3 Liverpool City Cup (1200m) and more recently, seventh in the G3 Show County (1200m) on a heavy track. 1400m suits first up and from gate one, should get his chance in the straight.
Odds: $6.00
4. SCREAM MACHINE – T Berry (9)
Came from a very long way back in the G2 The Villiers (1600m) to run fifth (2.4 lengths) behind Rudy and then raced without any luck at Canterbury last start, finishing second to Amovatio in the 1550m Open class event. Four weeks since that run works well for the return to 1400m and is going well despite not posting any victories this time in. Racing patterns requires everything to go right in the run and at double figure odds, would take the chance it just may.
Odds: $12.00
5. THAT’S A GOOD IDEA – J Bowman (10)
Had to do a bit of work early from a wide gate to find a position outside the leader in the Listed Canterbury Classic, his first run in almost two months, and knocked up in the straight to run eighth. Drawn three at next and most recent start, the Listed Takeover Target Stakes and made mover from an on-pace position to take the lead with Ball Of Muscle at the top of the straight. The pair came away to fight out the finish with Ball Of Muscle getting the bob in on the line. Last start is what we can expect from the Flying Spur gelding at his best but a jumps to 1400m here, a distance he hasn’t contested for over a year, and a wider draw are concerns when asked to take $4.40.
Odds: $4.20
6. SHE’S CLEAN – K McEvoy (6)
Returned from Victoria where she had been racing well without winning and emphatically accounted for her four opponents, headed by Boomwaa, in a BM 95 (1400m). Never out of second gear last start so the rise in class isn’t a great concern and she should appreciate the anticipated speed of the race. Will be charging at them late with 54.5kgs, the lightest weight she has ever been assigned.
Odds: $4.20
7. EIGELSTEIN – G Schofield (12)
Drifted in betting for his return to racing off a sixteen week spell and ran accordingly, finishing last of five and over eight lengths from winner She’s Clean in a BM 95 (1400m) a fortnight ago. Whilst his stats at this track/trip read well, his second-up record isn’t strong and there’s a lot of improvement for him to make off of the first up effort.
Odds: $41.00
8. HAUSSMAN – S Clipperton (8)
Secured a lovely run throughout from the inside gate and went around a horse when scoring at Rosehill two runs back. He stepped up in grade and lined up in the Listed Takeover Target but unlike his proceeding run, had no luck at all from position that saw him three back on the fence as they turned. Put a pen through last start yet to win from eleven attempts at 1400m – most of which have been in races of lesser grade than this one.
Odds: $13.00
9. MIGHTY LUCKY – N Thomas (2)
Connections would’ve been rapt the return of this 5yo gelding who closed strongly from a position worse than midfield, to run sixth (1.6 lengths) behind Ball Of Muscle and That’s A Good Idea – who dominated from up front – in the Listed Takeover Target Stakes. Has won three from four second including the Listed Luskin Star (1300m) at Scone where he defeated Hausmass. Honest performer, who seems to have come back in good order and at $21.00, might be value chance in some multiples.
Odds: $21.00
10. HIGH ESTEEM – K O’Hara (3)
It’s been a while now since we’ve seen 5yo, who boasts a second placing to Toydini in the G3 Cameron Handicap, produce any effort of note. His most recent start, his second for this campaign, saw him take up a forward position in a BM 90 (1350m) at Rosehill but unable to maintain that spot in the run to the line, battling his way to sixth (8.1 lengths) behind Vashka.
Odds: $51.00
11. TESTARYTHYM – D Muscatt (7)
The 7yo has had three runs back from a spell but none unfortunately would suggest that he is a legitimate chance of winning this race. He finished a distance fifth (of six runners) to Our Boy Malachi in the Listed Razor Sharp (1200m) and was again struggling to reel in the winners when fourth (of five runners, beaten 6.9 lengths) to She’s Clean. Not going well enough.
Odds: $81.00
12. PAEDEROS – B Avdulla (4)
Progressed through the grades well last campaign for trainer David Payne and was spelled after finishing a head second to Excess Knowledge in a BM 95 (1600m). Had a quite trial at Rosehill in the first week of the New Year in readiness for her return but would prefer to see here, especially when at this level, have a run or two before adding her into selections.
Odds: $17.00
RACE OVERVIEW
Paederos, Heart Testa, Ninth Legion and High Esteem all drawn well enough to push forward with That’s A Good Idea from wider out joining in. Can see She’s Clean falling in nicely behind this pack from gate six and she’ll enjoy the 54kgs, is in good form, and sure to be involved in the finish. Scream Machine’s last two outings have been good and he’s the one over the odds for mine. Started 7/2 for the Listed Winter Championship (1400m) last year and ran third to Generalife with 58.5kg.
