All bar one of the nine runners tackles the trip for the first time with the unbeaten Philippi looking to make it four wins from as many starts.
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Norman Robinson Stakes Form Guide
1. KABAYAN – N Rawiller (1)
A last start winning of the G2 Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) by 1 ¾ three weeks ago in Sydney. Let down well on the occasion and whilst he does face a significant step up in distance here, his trainer – Gai Waterhouse, has prepared horses to perform well under similar circumstances in the past.
Odds: $3.20
2. JIMANDO – C Williams (6)
Commands colt who has had four runs in this preparation, winning the first two races and running third at each of his most recent starts behind Pierro in the Stutt Stakes and behind Philippi in the UCI Stakes. Only beaten a length behind Philippi last start and had to give the winner 3.5kgs. Meets him much better at the weights in this race and has to be a genuine chance.
Odds: $7.00
3. PHILIPPI – B Rawiller (7)
Unbeaten colt by Host and trained by Mick Kent who won the UCI Stakes at his most recent start (1800m) at Flemington. Was strong at the finish of that race from mid-field and it’s impossible to knock his record.
Odds: $4.60
4. HONORIUS – C Brown (3)
He was very good two starts back in the Gloaming Stakes behind the current Derby favourite and unbeaten It’s A Dundeel, running second beaten 1 ¼ He then stepped out in the G1 Spring Champions Stakes (2000m) and again chased home It’s A Dundeel and the smart Priosir – arguably the two best three years racing at the moment. He’ll have to be included on those two runs.
Odds: $5.50
5. HVASSTAN – G Boss (2)
Son of Fastnet Rock who has won two of his last three including a win here in Open Class over 1700m and back that up with a very smart effort at his most recent start, when closing well to run second to Philippi in the UCI Stakes. He’s another who has genuine claims.
Odds: $5.50
6. RIGHT TO ROAM – R McLeod
Only the one win from eight starts to his name at the moment; that was Bendigo Maiden back in March of this year. He is lining up for his fifth run this time in with the latest effort a fourth (beaten 1 ¾ ) after sitting on the speed, in the UCI Stakes. It’s hard to see him turning the table on those who finished in front of him last start.
Odds: $26.00
7. SUBIASCO – D Dunn (4)
Testa Rossa colt who got a long way back in the UCI Stakes and never figured in the run home, finishing ninth, beaten 5 lenghts. The start prior was a second in a RST 72 Sandown event.
Odds: $51.00
8. ELECTRIC FUSION – N Hall (8)
He has had three starts to date – all in Maiden company and winning his most recent of them at Moonee Valley by 1 ¼, where he finished from well back in the field. Gave the indication at his last start that the further the races are, the more he’ll enjoy them however, he has been thrown in the deep end here.
Odds: $11.00
9. COSTA NOVA – J Bowman (5)
He was 20/1 chance when running second to Hvasstan two starts back at Caulfield but only held his ground at his latest start behind Philippi in the UCI Stakes at Flemington. Yet to record a victory from six starts and it’ll be a task to break his maiden status in this race.
Odds: $51.00
OVERVIEW
It wouldn’t be surprised to see any of the top five runners winning here but I’ll be sticking with Honorius and Jimando. Honorius has chased home a very smart horse(s) at his most recent starts, been over the trip and drawn to get a lovely run throughout. Jimando was excellent last start and meets the winner 3.5kgs the better for being beaten a length. Hasn’t run a bad race this time in and will be finishing hard.