To be run under the lights on Friday evening, the Group 1 sprint sees a smart field of ten runners taking part. The two most recent winners of the race, Sepoy and Hay List, have been odds-on favourites in their respective races and leading this year’s market is Buffering ($2.10) who is looking for his first Group 1 victory of his career.
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1. BUFFERING – J Bowman (1)
Ultra-consistent galloper who has won both of his starts this prep and eleven from twenty-eight starts overall. Registered his second win at his fourth start this track when claiming the G2 AJ Moir Stakes at the end of September and backed that up with a comprehensive victory (won by 1 ¾ ) a fortnight ago in the G2 Schillaci Stakes. From one, he’ll have to ensure he holds his position but this is the only query on him.
Odds: $2.00
2. TEMPLE OF BOOM – C Brown (7)
Resumed in the Schillaci Stakes when fifth (beaten 3.4) behind Buffering. Winner of the G1 Shorts in April of this year and ran third in the G1 Doomben 10,000 (behind Sea Siren and Buffering) in his five G1 starts thus far. Normally gets back and this is first look at the Valley circuit, if he handles it, could be finishing hard.
Odds: $26.00
3. WE’RE GONNA ROCK – M Rodd (10)
Came back to racing as a gelding in the G3 Bobbie Lewis and registered a good win, his fifth from fifteen starts. He then stepped out in the G1 Rupert Clarke (1400m) and have every chance when finishing second to Moment of Change (beaten 1 ½ ). Going very well but will have to be to negotiate an awkward draw.
Odds: $12.00
4. READY TO RIP – L Nolen (4)
A former Queensland galloper who, since joining the Moody yard, has recorded two wins (G3 Bletchingly Stakes and Listed Victorian Sprint) and two placings from four starts. His latest effort was a head second to Buffering in the Moir Stakes where he little luck from his inside draw. Drawn better here and should be stalking the leaders throughout. On the back of his last start, no reason why he shouldn’t be considered here at good each-way odds.
Odds: $19.00
5. BEL SPRINTER – B Melham (2)
He won five of his first six starts before an unlucky sixth (beaten 1.5) in the Oakleigh Plate in Feb of this year. He’s won one of his four subsequent starts and that was two starts back here at the Valley in the G3 McEwen Stakes before a slightly disappointing effort in the G2 Gilgai Stakes up the Flemington straight, where he finished fifth (beaten 2.8) as $2.80 fav. Will be up on the speed and better suited here at the Valley.
Odds: $15.00
6. MENTAL – K McEvoy (9)
A promising 4yo from the Darley yard who won the G3 Fred Best (1350m) and, the Listed Daybreak Lover (1600m) over the Brisbane Winter carnival this year. This is his first taste of G1 racing and WFA conditions and, whilst there’s a good chance of him measuring up to these two conditions in the future, he might need this one.
Odds: $13.00
7. SEA SIREN – J Cassidy (5)
A smart mare who won both the BTC Cup (1200m) and Doomben 10,000 as a 3yo earlier this year and in doing so, took her career tally to five wins from eight starts. She’s had two trials in preparation for her return here, winning the latest on the 12th October. Always produces a smart run fresh and should be close enough from her good draw when they turn for home.
Odds: $6.00
8. HALLOWELL BELLE – N Rawiller (3)
She chalked up her third career win when first up in the G2 Gilgai Stakes at Flemington three weeks back. That was a tough win on pace but under the WFA conditions of this event; she does rises 3kgs on that effort. She hasn’t missed a place in her last seven starts, including a third in the G1 T J Smith in April.
Odds: $19.00
9. SATIN SHOES – J McDonald (6)
She ran third in the G3 Concorde Stakes first up and as backed that up with seconds in the G2 The Shorts and Premiere Stakes at her latest two starts. Normally likes to press forward but will have plenty of company on her inside and interestingly, she’s had two starts here at the Valley and finished second to last on each occasion.
Odds: $51.00
10. LONE ROCK – M Zahra (8)
Little raced 5yo mare who won last year’s G1 Goodwood Handicap (May) and G3 Bobbie Lewis (September). She’s had five starts over the course of this year with the most recent of them a luckless seventh of ten in the G2 Schillaci Stakes a fortnight back. Ran fourth here in the G1 William Reid behind Foxwedge, Hay List and Buffering (beaten 2.8) and with a solid speed up front, should be able to finish well and may be worth some thought for any multiples.
Odds: $7.00
OVERVIEW
From their inside gates, Buffering and Bel Sprinter will be keen to lead with Hallowell Belle, Ready to Rip and Sea Siren, all handy. Buffering is a hard horse to run down, he is wound right up with two runs under his belt and sure to be right in the mix. Ready to Rip should get a nice trial and was a bit unlucky behind Buffering in the AJ Moir Stakes. At his current quote ($19.00) he’s worth serious consideration. Prepared to have a look at Sea Siren first up and including Lone Rock and We’re Gonna Rock for place chances with both of them to be finishing hard off of the good speed.
