Highlight on Friday night’s Moonee Valley meeting is for the 3yo and the G2 Alister Clark Stakes. A field of seven, only one filly – Green Roller, are taking part with the leading chances – Hvasstan, Sheer Talent and Philippi all backing up from last week’s Australian Guineas over a mile at Flemington. The early market can’t split the three and have them at $3.50, $3.50 and $3.30 respectively.
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Alister Clark Stakes Form Guide
1. HVASSTAN – C Newitt (3)
Continued to improve with every run during his Spring Campaign and went from a Sale Maiden win to claim the G3 Norman Robinson Stakes G3 before running fourth in the VRC Derby behind Fiveandahalfstar Held is ground first up in the G2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) before a slashing effort in the Australian Guineas (1600m) last week, finishing from well back in the field to run fourth (beaten 2.6 lengths) Looks spot on for this on that run, has drawn well and has in-form jock onboard.
Odds: $3.30
2. SHEER TALENT – M Rodd (4)
Jockey and Trainer claimed the Australian Cup last week with another 3yo Super Cool and, will fancy their chances here with this son of Redoute’s Choice. Lightly raced, he claimed the C S Hayes Stakes two starts back, defeating Force Command by ¾ lengths before backing that up with a tough on-pace effort in the Australian Guineas last week when third (beaten 1 ½ ). Will go forward and give them something to run down.
Odds: $4.40
3. PHILIPPI – L Nolen (7)
Won his first three starts, including the a ¾ length win over Hvasstan in the Listed UCI Stakes (1700m) at Flemington in October. Returned with a good fourth behind Sheer Talent in the C S Hayes Stakes and then got too far back second up in the Australian Guineas last week, before hitting the line well and finishing sixth (beaten 4 lengths). Didn’t have the chance to produce his best last start and although he’ll be giving them a start again here, has the class to run them down.
Odds: $3.30
4. BASS STRAIGHT – N Hall (2)
David Hayes trained galloper who won a Maiden and a graded race in his first two runs this time before taking the step up in class and proving competitive with a fifth to Sheer Talent in the C S Hayes Stakes and fifth again in the G1 Australian Guineas. Improving type by Holy Roman Emperor who worked home well last start and will be doing best work late but can’t see him beating home those above him here.
Odds: $5.50
5. GERONTIUS – D Dunn (6)
Resumed from a spell as a 50/1 chance in the C S Hayes Stakes (1400m) and never threatened, finishing a four length ninth of eleven behind Sheer Talent before appreciating the step up in distance and the drop down in grade, to claim a RST 72 event at Sandown (1800m) a week and a half ago. Distance should pose no problem but will find a few here too good.
Odds: $13.00
6. SOLDIER’S MARCH – (5)
Yet to win a race in nine starts and his recent effort was a third in a Traralgon Maiden (1900m). He closed from last to finish within a half a length of the winner last start but think he’ll need it easier than this to break his Maiden status
Odds: $201.00
7. GREEN ROLLER – S Baster (1)
Only filly in the race and David Hayes’ third representative with Bass Straight and Gerontius who was taken to Hobart two starts back to claim the Listed Strutt Stakes (2100m) by two lengths over First Bloom. She returned to the mainland to run second to Hai Lil over a mile here at the Valley in a BM 78. She’ll find a few of the boys too good.
Odds: $17.00
SUMMARY
Sheer Talent goes forward and should be able to set his own terms here and around the tight Moonee Valley track, that makes him a genuine chance. But Newitt will be fully aware of this and from three, will not let Rodd and Sheer Talent out of his sights and he’ll settle closer than he did in the Australian Guineas, is proven at the trip and he’s the top pick. Philippi from gate seven, will get back and be rattling home and add it been on a bigger circuit, would’ve been top rated.
