Feature race of the day in Sydney is for the Stayers and is the Listed Christmas Cup. A competitive field of ten take part with early favourite Cantonese ($3.60), narrowly from Fuimicino ($4.00) and Moriarty ($4.60)
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1. FUIMICINO – N Rawiller (9)
He finally broke a two year drought by winning the ATC Cup (2400m) last start at Warwick Farm a fortnight ago. That followed two very good efforts in the Listed Tatt’s Cup behind Crafty Irna and the Bendigo Cup behind Puissance De Lune. Although a nine year old, he’s in good form but pity about the awkward draw.
Odds $4.00
2. MORIARTY – C Brown (5)
Strung three wins together before having every chance behind Levi’s Choice in an 1900m event at Rosehill and similarly, at his two most recent starts where he has finished second (to Cantonese over 2000m) and third (to Fuimicino over 2200m) he has been afforded every opportunity. He drops 2kgs today on his most recent run and from five, should again get a sweet run but the question mark over him getting the trip still remains.
Odds $4.60
3. CANTONESE – J Cassidy (4)
He has been in a purple patch of form winning five of his last seven outings for his Trainer, Bjorn Baker. He had to do a bit of work last start from a wider gate to sit outside the leader but fought on extremely well to finish fourth (beaten ½ length) behind Scream Machine (who is going well) last start. Drops 2.5kgs on that run, should be able to do his own thing out in front today and has to be rated a chance.
Odds $3.40
4. FROMELLES – N Berry (1)
A Savabeel mare who is facing the starter for the fifth time this preparation. She snuck home along the fence two starts back when third to Levi’s Choice and Moriarty before finishing sixth of eight behind Fuimicino in the ATC Cup last start. Looks a dour type and would probably need a good drop of rain to be rated a chance of winning this.
Odds $16.00
5. KING UTAH – C Reith (10)
He’s going well this 5yo by Bradbury’s Luck from Port Macquarie. He was a strong winner three starts back of a BM 73 event at Warwick Farm defeating Blazing Dragon and Coup Acclaim before running into a Slow Track and Rothera up in QLD. He returned to run second to Fuimicino in the ATC Cup last start. Has to be considered, despite the poor draw he’s received, on recent efforts.
Odds $9.00
6. TRAJET – P Robl (6)
Queensland visitor who ran third to Rothera and King Utah two starts back before being pipped on the post at his last start by Poste Restante in an Open Handicap at Eagle Farm over 2100m. I’d expect him to go forward but to also find a few of these too good.
Odds $17.00
7. IGGI POP – G Schofield (2)
He ran fourth in the G2 Tulloch Stakes behind Polish Knight and fourth to Fat Al in the G3 Frank Packer Plate as a three year old last season. Kicked off this campaign with a pleasing effort over 1500m but has been a bit flat in two subsequent runs, the latest of which he finished third (beaten 3.8 lengths) behind Cantonese and Moriarty.
Odds $7.50
8. DREAMWORKER – B Shinn (8)
Encosta de Lago mare who has won two from nineteen starts but had has had every opportunity in recent months, in weaker races, to better that record. She finished seventh of eight (beaten 5.4 lengths) last start behind Fuimicino and that followed a close second to Slivovitz in a BM 68 at Rosehill on Melbourne Cup day.
Odds $26.00
9. WATERTIGHT – K O’Hara (3)
Good win at Gosford in a BM 75 event two starts back before settling at the tail of the field in the ATC Cup and failing to make an impression in the run home, finishing close to four lengths from Fuimicino. She’ll have to make too much improvement to be considered a legitimate chance here.
Odds $26.00
10. PLATINUM JACK – (7)
His only win from twelve starts has been a Wyong Maiden over 2100m. Made up good ground last start behind Purrfect at Warwick Farm last Wednesday but this obviously is a steep rise in grade and confident to say he’ll struggle.
Odds $81.00
SUMMARY
Can the old boy Fuimicino make it successive wins? Had he draw a little better, I think I would have suggested he can but sticking with Cantonese. He should get a good time of it in front, a nice weight drop on last start and if the Rosehill track favoured those that raced on pace as it did last week, he’ll prove hard to run down. Next best outside the two mentioned above for mine is King Utah @ $9.00
