The G2 sprint feature is yet another hotly contested affair with, as there was on line in The Shorts in their last start, nothing between Sessions ($4.00) and Aeronautical ($4.40) in the betting here. John O’Shea’s smart mare Steps In Time resumes from a spell and given her impressive fresh record, has been kept very safe at $4.50. Multiple Group 1 winning mare Platelet ($9.00) and experienced straight course galloper Spirit of Boom ($9.00) are the next best according to the market and the only other runners under double figures.
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1. SPIRIT OF BOOM – N Hall (10)
6yo trained by Queensland conditioner Tony Gollan who doesn’t win out of turn but by the same token, is never far away in races like this. He was first up when producing an eye-catching third behind Sessions and Aeronautical in the G2 The Shorts, beaten a neck. Whilst his second up record does not read as well, the last two efforts have been in G1 company and he does perform well here, having placed three from six attempts this course and distance.
Odds: $9.00
2. GALAH – C Newitt (3)
5yo son of Redoute’s Choice who resumes from a short winter campaign that saw him claim the G2 QTC Cup over Conservatorium back in June. He resumed in this race last year as well after having two barrier trials and finished fourth behind Hallowell Belle and Kings Rose. He has only had the one trial in readiness for this year’s race, a third behind Landing at Randwick on the 20th September. Only has the one win from five fresh runs compared to three wins from as many second up efforts.
Odds: $21.00
3. GO THE KNUCKLE (6)
Resumed from a twenty week spell on a slow track at Caulfield a fortnight ago in Open company. He settled at the tail of the field from a wide gate and failed to make an impression in the run home, finishing 6.6 lengths behind Shamal Wind. Hasn’t missed a place in three second up runs and was solid when last in work however, those performances were in races of slightly lesser grade than this one.
Odds: $67.00
4. SESSIONS – S Arnold (2)
He’s started favourite in his last seven starts, of which he has won five, including his most recent effort, a nose victory in the G2 The Shorts at Randwick a fortnight ago. From an inside draw he got a charmed run home along the fence and was able to hold off the late challenges from Aeronautical and Spirit of Boom who both came wide. This is his first look at the Flemington straight and, as was the case with last week’s G1 winner Rebel Dane when he contested the Bobbie Lewis up the straight for the first time, it can take them a few looks at it first before getting it right.
Odds: $4.40
5. PLATELET – M Payne (5)
5yo Adelaide mare who was in red-hot form last time in, claiming the G1 Robert Sangster (1200m) and G1 The Goodwood (1200m) in her home-state in consecutive starts. She was spelled after the Goodwood victory and resumed with a pleasing effort when closing well from the back of the field to finish fourth behind Kuroshio in the G2 McEwan Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley. Better for that run and also for the step up to six furlongs.
Odds: $9.00
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6. SMOKIN’ JOEY – G Boss (8)
We know this son of Encosta De Lago has form, he’s finished fifth in the G1 Rupert Clark and second to Hot Snitzel in G3 company but, it has been a well over twelve months now since he’s been able to stand in the winner’s stall. He is another who is using this race as a commencement for his Spring campaign but with one win from seven fresh runs, and his best efforts coming over 1400 – 1600m, would prefer for him to have this hit-out.
Odds: $26.00
7. THAT’S THE ONE – V Duric (13)
Returned from a brief winter let-up with a good second to Thy in the Listed Regal Roller (1200m) at Caulfield and was good again from the tail of the field and had ittle luck over the final stages of the race, when ninth (beaten 3.5 lengths) behind Samaready in the G3 The Shark (1100m). The 5yo’s most recent start again saw him producing his best work late when finishing fourth behind Le Bonsir (third in last week’s G1 Moir Stakes), beaten 3 ¼ lengths in the Listed Drummond Golf Stakes (1200m) Not disgracing himself in the better classes of race however, this is a step up again and hard to see him running some of these down.
Odds: $14.00
8. ALBRECHT – D Dunn (1)
After impressive performances in the early 3yo season last year, which included victory in the G3 Up and Coming Stakes, more was expected of this Darley representative when he returned to racing in the autumn. The highlight of his five start campaign then was a third placing in G2 Victory Stakes at Doomben in April. He was spelled after that and returned something like back to his best with a real big finish in the G3 Bobbie Lewis (this track/trip) four weeks ago. He finished just over a length fourth from winner Speediness (excellent since in the G1 Rupert Clarke) with Rebel Dane (winner of the G1 Rupert Clarke) third. That’s as strong as a formline you could hope for at the moment.
Odds: $9.50
9. AERONAUTICAL – C Williams (11)
A gifted galloper who, as his record of three wins from twenty-two starts suggests, can be hard to catch. He almost repaid the faithful first up when flashing home to run second to Sessions in The Shorts at Randwick a fortnight ago. Second up last prep, off a good performance in a BM 95 race, he came to Flemington to contest the G1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m). As an 80/1 shot, he came within a head of claiming victory, finishing third to Shamexpress and Moment of Change. Off The Shorts effort, looks set to go one better this time.
Odds: $4.60
10. MISTER MILTON – D Lane (7)
Attempted some big races this time last year and whilst he didn’t win any, he wasn’t that far away in them either. He rounded out his most recent campaign with victory over this track/trip in the Listed Straight Six defeating By The Way by 1 ¾. Again he was honest when resuming in the G3 Bobbie Lewis, when finishing within three lengths of winner Speediness, who was great last week in the G1 Rupert Clarke. Better for that run and goes ok here at Flemington (9:1-1-2). One for the multiples.
Odds: $41.00
11. GRIFFON – M Zahra (9)
From the Randwick stables of John Thompson, this 8yo by Flying Spur has been doing a majority of his racing in Queensland – and posting consistent results. He ran a head third in the G2 QTC Cup and second in the Listed Ascot Stakes last time in and returns here of a seven week let-up. A back-maker who generally can produce a good run fresh but this is a slick race – harder than what he faced in Queensland and, is also his first look at the Flemington straight.
Odds: $61.00
12. REFLECTANCE – B Prebble (12)
He resumed from a thirteen week spell with an average effort in a BM 79 race at Rosehill. From a wide gate, he settled at the tail of the field before making a wide run from the 600m but was unable to sustain the effort and finished sixth, 4.6 lengths behind winner Diamond Oasis. Will take benefit from that run and is capable of better but at this grade, will be looking for others.
Odds: $41.00
13. STEPS IN TIME – M Rodd (4)
Smart mare who can claim the G2 Breeder’s Classic (first up run, where she defeated Red Tracer) among her eight career wins from only twenty starts. She resumes here from a brief and disappointing Brisbane campaign and has had a barrier trial on the 9th September where she finished second, in readiness for her return. Her only start here at Flemington resulted in eighth of sixteen in the G3 Herald Sun Stakes (1400m) back in November last year. Better suited to the 1200m, will bowl along in front and at her best, will be more than competitive here.
Odds: $4.40
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OVERVIEW
So imperative to watch the early straight course races to see if one particular side has an advantage over the other however, in more recent times, the straight has played fairly with most runners coming up the centre of the track rather than favouring one side. Sticking with The Shorts has the best form reference but going with the third place runner from that race, Spirit of Boom. He finished at a rate of knots in the The Shorts and three of his past four attempts up the Flemington straight, have resulted in placings in the G3 Bobbie Lewis (last year), this race last year to Hallowell Belle and, a head second to Fontelina in the Group 2 Yellowglen Stakes. In each of those events he also drew wide so expect another big effort from him here at a good price. Sessions got a charmed run in The Shorts but, his record indicates that he is a winner and the inside draw here could see him get a lovely run again behind Steps In Time. Speaking of that mare, she won the G2 Breeder Classic first up last prep defeating Red Tracer. A replicate of that runs sees here go very well here. She’ll lead and roll and would prefer a dry track. Albrecht to round out the numbers even when allowing for some concern over the inside gate. Cracking run first up in the Bobbie Lewis and the form out of that race (Rebel Dane, Speediness) has stood up well.
1. SPIRIT OF BOOM
2. SESSIONS
3. STEPS IN TIME
4. ALBRECHT
