The only Group One race to be held on Saturday and obviously the feature event on Flemington’s card, is the Australian Guineas for the 3yo. It is dominated by All Too Hard who has opened up at $1.25 in early markets and given his win last week in the Futurity Stakes it’s hard to argue the price.
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1. ALL TOO HARD.- D Dunn (14)
At three of his last four starts he has claimed the G1 Caulfield Guineas, G1 C F Orr Stakes and G1 Futurity only missing out to Ocean Park in the Cox Plate where he ran second. He was dominated last week in the Futurity, displaying a good turn of foot at the 200m to kick away from proven WFA performers and winning by 3 1/4.
Odds: $1.28
2. ALBRECHT – K McEvoy (5)
Ran second to stable-mate Epaulette in the G1 Golden Rose and to Kabayan in the Stan Fox Stakes back in the Spring but in two runs back this time in, hasn’t quite been up to the mark. Started 9/4 favourite last start in the G3 C S Hayes Stakes but from a wide draw, got too far back and finished seventh of eleven (beaten 2 ½). Better draw suits and suspect so will the mile.
Odds: $17.00
3. HVASSTAN – C Newitt (11)
Won three of seven in the Spring including the G3 Norman Robinson Stakes and rounded out his campaign with a fourth placing in the G1 VRC Derby. Returned to racing in the G2 Autumn Stakes but only held his ground in the run home to finish eighth (beaten 6.2 lengths) behind Mulaazm. Better for that hit-out but still think further is required.
Odds: $31.00
4. PHILIPPI – B Rawiller (6)
Tasted defeat for the first time in four starts when fourth (beaten 1 ¾) first up in the C S Hayes Stakes a fortnight back. Drawn well in six and does have a good victory over Hvasstan in the UCI Stakes here back in the Spring. He is definitely one to throw in to a quinella or trifecta with the favourite.
Odds: $31.00
5. SHEER TALENT – M Rodd (17)
Well accounted for by Royal Haunt when first up in the Listed Manfred Stakes (1200m) before settling closer to the speed over the 1400m of the C S Hayes Stakes and holding off challengers to record a ¾ length win over Force Command, Hosting and Philippi. Lightly raced son of Redoute’s Choice still on the improve but has a horror draw to contend with here.
Odds: $31.00
6. GRAND EMPEROR – (4)
Jumps from the 1200m of his last start, which he won last Saturday – a 3yo Open at Caulfield to a G1 mile race. It’ll be some effort by horse and trainer if they were able to produce the good here.
Odds: $81.00
7. RED INCA – P Mertens (12)
Rewarded for his consistency with a head win over General Groove here at Flemington two starts back but only held his ground when stepping up in class in the G2 Autumn Stakes behind Mulaazem. Can’t see him winning this on his latest effort.
Odds: $51.00
8. SUBIASO – N Callow (3)
He was taken to Sandown by Trainer Robbie Laing to record his second career win from ten starts in a BM 72 race before having every chance last start but proving no match for Super Cool and Fiveandahalfstar, finishing a well-beaten third in the Autumn Classic last week. He would have to improve too many lengths on that run to be winning this.
Odds: $81.00
9. FORCE COMMAND – B Evens (15)
He ran a big race as a 30/1 shot when first up and second to Royal Haunt in the Listed Manfred Stakes but proved it to be no fluke by finishing second to Sheer Talent at his next start – the C S Hayes Stakes. On those two starts, would have to include him among the better hopes despite the wide draw.
Odds: $51.00
10. BASS STRAIGHT – C Schofield (2)
He won his first two starts this time in for Trainer David Hayes – a Seymour Maiden and Lakeside RST 72 before a short let up and a pleasing effort, finishing well from the tail of the field for a fifth placing, beaten less than two lengths behind Sheer Talent in the C S Hayes Stakes. Better suited the mile here but might find himself in an awkward spot back in the field from his inside draw.
Odds: $26.00
11. HOSTING – C Symons (16)
Sat on the speed but was no match for Royal Haunt first up in the Listed Manfred Stakes but took benefit from that run and closed well to finish less than a length from Sheer Talent in the C S Hayes Stakes Drawn awkwardly here but lining up for only his fourth start and will still be on the improve.
Odds: $41.00
12. AJEEB – G Boss (9)
Has impressively won his last two starts by 3 ¼ (Seymour Maiden) and 2 ¼ (Lakeside RST 72) for Trainer Mick Price who has decided to throw him now in the deep end. Has obvious ability but a race of this calibre might be a bit too soon in his career.
Odds: $26.00
13. FERLAX – S Baster (8)
An unbeaten son of Pentire for Trainer John Conlan who last win was at Sale in a RST 68 (1400m) event, which he won by 1 ¼. Should have no trouble seeing out the step up to the mile but the class of competitor will find him out.
Odds: $81.00
14. HIGH ESTEEM – L Nolen (7)
Returned to racing with a sixth (beaten 2) behind Sheer Talent in the C S Hayes (1400m) and was supported in betting, firming from 25 into 16/1. Ran some nice races in the Spring against the likes of Hvasstan and Philippi and will only be better for his first up run.
Odds: $81.00
15. HIGH SHOT – C Williams (1)
A Son of High Chaparral who was an impressive winner of a Cranbourne Maiden on debut back in October and wasn’t seen at the races then until his sixth (beaten 5) behind Mulaazem in the Autumn Stakes. Only a run first up for mine but outside the favourite, is considered one of the better hopes at $26 in early markets.
Odds: $26.00
16. YOU’RE SO GOOD – (7)
The only filly in the race who led all bar the last hop when a nose second to Alzora in the G3 The Vanity last start a fortnight ago. She’ll lead out again from seven I would expect but also expect the boys to run her down.
Odds: $21.00
17. PRAKTICALITY – D Yendall (13)
Lining up for his fifth start here and of his four previous outings, the highlight being a Ballarat Maiden win back January, would think it safe to say he will struggle.
Odds: $501.00
OVERVIEW
Obviously can’t go past All Too Hard given his record and recent performance so looking for a few that we can pair with him in the exotics. Think Philippi ($31) is one who, from gate six will settle handy and would have taken benefit from the first up run. Albrecht ($17.00) should get every possible chance in the run from a good draw and the mile third up, looks ideal. A real bolter to add value, High Esteem ($81) who was good enough first up in the C S Hayes beaten 2 lengths behind Sheer Talent and expect improvement off of that.
