Feature race in NSW on Saturday is a beauty! A quality field lining up in the Festival Stakes where it is $5.00 the field with Cabernet holding favouritism, just in front of Galah with Malavio, the only other runner under double figure odds according to Sportsbet’s early market.
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Stanley Dewalt Festival Stakes Guide
1. MONTON – S Clipperton (8)
The winner of this race last year (carried 55.5kgs then – has 59kg this year), who resumes after having finished sixth in the G1 Epsom Handicap won by Fat Al eight weeks ago. He can produce a run fresh as evident by his second to More Joyous in the G2 Canterbury Stakes.
2. TRIPLE ELEGANCE – N Rawiller (18)
He was excellent when resuming and running second to All Legal in the Listed Skin Fitness Stakes at Hawkesbury. Followed that with an eighth of fourteen (beaten 4.2) behind Classics here at Rosehill a fortnight back in a race not run to suit. Last win was March 2011 and he has a horror draw to contend with.
3. CABERNET – B Avdulla (4)
A 6yo mare who has really hit her straps since joining the Stables of Matthew Smith at the start of this preparation. She wis collared right on the line by Koonoomoo two runs back in the Herald Sun Stakes on Cup Day before making amends at her most recent start and winning the Summoned Stakes at Sandown. Was afforded every possible opportunity then and from her favourable draw, should get a similar run.
4. DARCI BE GOOD – J Bowman (17)
He has been ridden a bit more aggressively this campaign than he had been previously and with success. Was a close up second to Moriarty before, at his most recent start, claiming the G3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) with a tough win. He might have a bit of work to do early from his wide gate but going as well as he ever has.
5. THUMBTACKS – J Collett (7)
He won two starts (BM 86 and BM95) before a brief let-up of eight weeks and returned a fortnight ago with a pleasing effort behind Classics over 1400m, beaten 2.6 lengths. Got back and had to make his run home closer to the fence which wasn’t the ideal place to be. Can only be better for that hit out, should settle closer today.
6. ALL LEGAL – G Schofield (6)
He enjoyed the solid pace established in the Listed Skin Fitness Stakes at Hawkesbury two starts back and finished well to secure his first win since January 2011. It was just a run last start behind Classic where he had his chance in the run before finishing sixth of twelve. Has his share of ability but can prove hard to catch.
7. MALAVIO – N Berry (9)
A very impressive winner of the Civic Stakes back in July who has had three runs in this preparation. Draw wide and uncharacteristically, went forward last start in the Hawkesbury Gold Cup, where he started as 15/4, and stuck on well given the hot tempo to finish fourth, a little over a length from All Legal. Forgive that run, goes well here and any cut out of the track will increase his chances.
8. TROSMO – C Brown (16)
A 6yo by Lonhro who has been in solid form of late without winning. He ran third to Aeronautical three starts back before no luck at all behind Ollie Vollie (races in the G3 George Moore in Brisbane this weekend) then had every chance in the run last start but was out-bobbed by Classics on the line. Poor draw makes it hard.
9. QUIDNUNC – R Stewart (15)
She won the Listed The Nevis Stakes first up, three starts back before a close up finish in the Skin Fitness stakes behind All Legal. Last start, had her chance in behind Classics here at Rosehill a fortnight ago. Been competitive in all the right lead-up races but is yet to register a win at this track in six starts.
10. CLASSICS – R Quinn (5)
5yo mare from the Darley yard who has won two of her past three starts since resuming from a long spell, including a tough effort to claim an Open event over 1400m a fortnight ago. Improving with every start this time in and draw to get a similar run to what she did last start. A must for the multiples.
11. SHADOWS IN THE SUN – A Allen (1)
Winner of the SA Derby last year who was the target of significant support, firming from 20’s in to 9/1, when first up three weeks back and rattled home to just miss claiming Ollie Vollie. Can only be better for that run and step up in trip is also a bonus. Barrier one, for a horse who likes to wind up, might pose a few problems.
12. ISOPACH – L Grace (12)
Race well this time in and finished second to All Legal in the Hawkesbury Gold Cup two starts back before leading from his wide gate, all bar the concluding stages in the Goulburn Cup (1600m), and running fourth (beaten ¾ length) behind Kinnersley. As form suggest, going well but this is a race of good depth.
13. GALAH – K McEvoy (3)
He was very good first up, three starts back running fourth behind Hallowell Belle in the G2 Gilgai Stakes and followed that up by doing his best work for a sixth, behind Whateverwhenever at Caulfield in the Moonga Stakes. Got back to Flemington last start, had every chance in the run and was beaten in a photo as 9/4 favourite by Good Value. Would’ve have liked to have seen him win that race before taking the $5.50 on offer about him here.
14. RACING HEART – K O’Hara (2)
Former Qld’er who was with the Rob Heathcote yard but has since joined the Warwick Farm stables of Jo Pride. Faces this race first up off a ten week break and given that he saves his best for trips around the 2000m mark, can’t see him getting close in this.
15. ALMA’S FURY – B Shinn (19)
Very unlucky behind Aeronautical three starts back had has closed well to finish close up in both the Hawkesbury Gold Cup and Goulburn Cup (second beaten ½) since. Ran third in the Ajax Stakes over this track and trip during the Autumn (beating home Happy Trails) and may have considered him a chance until the barrier draw.
16. CHARING CROSS – T Berry (13)
In need of the run when first up behind Aeronautical and that was followed up by a good effort under 60kg last start, when fifth (beaten 1 ¼) lengths behind Bay Window. Drops nicely in the weight here but will find the rise in class a little too steep.
17. PRAECIDO – SCRATCHED
18. GANSTER’S CHOICE – B Spirggs (10)
Resumed after finishing down the track in the G1 Epsom, as 7/2 favourite at Rosehill a fortnight ago and loomed up ominously in the straight before his condition told and he finished fourth, beaten just over two lengths behind Classics. Will strip fitter for that run and, given his solid form earlier this year, is capable of running a cheeky race.
19. AL’S GOLD – (14)
He has bee thereabouts in recent times in BM 85-90 races but will probably find this race a bit beyond him.
20. SCREAM MACHINE – (11)
A tough on-pace effort last start in the Goulburn Cup where he finished third behind Kinnersley, beaten just over a length. Only a 4yo who is showing a bit of promise but lines up against a very solid field here and will need to produce a career-best performance.
SUMMARY
A number of form lines that have to be considered in this race which should make this a great race. At her last two starts, Cabernet has had every chance in the run and whilst she’s draw to get the same again here today, she takes on a few of the boys today who’ll make her have to produce her best again. I’m going to forgive Malavio his last two starts and back on his favourite track, drawn to get a nice run mid-field, I’m tipping him to get the opportunity to unleash his powerful finish and at $8.50 and $2.90, think he’s good each way value. In a race with so many chances, go wide and good luck!
