The first of three Group 1 races scheduled for Rosehill this Saturday, is the weight-for-age Ranvet Stakes over 2000m. 3yo’s have enjoyed a good time of it against the older horses recently with Shamexpress claiming the G1 Newmarket Handicap and a pair of three year olds – Super Cool and Fiveandahalfstar running the quinella in the Australian Cup. Punters are predicting that trend to continue here and have made the only 3yo in the race, Fiveandahalfstar the clear favourite at $2.50. Last year’s winner Manighar, is rated a $9.00 chance in early markets after a poor showing first up. The only other runner under double figures is Kiwi mare – Silent Achiever at $3.40
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1. MANIGHAR – L Nolen (10)
He blotted his previously impeccable first up record when finishing second to last behind Shoot Out in the G1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) a fortnight ago. He was in a purple patch of form when claiming this race last year, having won the Australia Cup that start prior and then going on to claim The BMW. No apparent excuses after the Chipping Norton and he his two from two at this circuit. Couldn’t knock those preparing to give him another go at the $9.00
Odds: $9.00
2 SANGSTER – O Bosson (7)
The 2011 VRC Derby winner has been very impressive in claiming three victories at his most recent outings in his native New Zealand including the G2 Avondale Cup and G1 Auckland Cup (3200m) which he won by a comfortable 2 ¼ lengths a little over two weeks ago. Here for the Sydney Cup and the WFA scale and drop back to 2000m have to be taken into consideration but obviously going very well.
Odds: $12.00
3. FORETELLER – J Cassidy (3)
He returned from a length spell in December of last year, running a great race on his return before trainer Chris Waller, took the 6yo by Dansili to Victoria. He ran an encouraging fifth in the Carlyon Cup (1600m) before being a ridden a treat by Dwayne Dunn to claim the G2 Peter Young Stakes over Mr. Moet and Budriguez before, at his most recent start, getting too far back in the Australian Cup (2000m) and finishing seventh, beaten 7 lengths behind Super Cool.
Odds: $17.00
4. MAWINGO – J Bowman (5)
His first and second up runs this preparation, in the G1 C. F. Orr Stakes and G2 Peter Young were cracking efforts that had him installed as a $7.00 chance in the Australian Cup last start. After settling in a the right spot during the run, he offered little over the concluding stages and finished third to last, ten lengths behind Super Cool. Did win the G1 Doomben Cup over this trip and weight conditions last Winter, defeating Lights Of Heaven but hard to take him with confidence after his last start effort.
Odds: $16.00
5. NIWOT – (9)
Last year’s Sydney Cup winner who has seven starts since that victory and hasn’t been able to register a place however, given his fast finishing fourth (beaten 1.4 lengths) under 60kgs in the Canberra Cup last start, he may be heading in the right direction to defend his Sydney Cup crown. The WFA conditions and staying at 2000m are probably not ideal however, he did run fourth in this race last year (at 20/1) and chances improve with any rain.
Odds: $16.00
6. KELINNI – N Rawiller (1)
Finished outside of the first five for only the second time (first time was on debut in the UK) in his career with a battling ninth of twelve (beaten 5.7 lengths) in the G1 Chipping Norton (1600m) a fortnight ago at his second run back from a spell. Ran second in the Metrop, won the Lexus and finished fourth in the Melbourne Cup last year so his record entitles him to forgive him last start and from an inside draw, at his favourite track, he’ll get his chance to prove himself under WFA conditions here.
Odds: $51.00
7. MALUCKYDAY – (12)
Was spelled for sixteen weeks after finishing well back in last year’s Melbourne Cup and returned to racing with a very pleasing effort in the G1 Futurity Stakes over the unsuitable 1400m. The Zabeel 6yo followed that up with sixth of nine (beaten 2.4 lengths) in the Blamey Stakes (2000m) behind Puissance De Lune and Budriguez. Pace of that race wasn’t ideal but will need some luck in running from his wide draw. He ran fourth as favourite in this race back in 2011.
Odds: $21.00
8. GATEWOOD – C Brown (13)
A former European galloper who claimed the Geelong Cup (2400m) at his second Australian start last spring before an unlucky sixth in the G3 Lexus (2500m) behind Kelinni. He returned to racing on the heavy track of the Apollo Stakes (1400m) as Warwick Farm last month, where he battled through the conditions to finish midfield before doing his best work late in the Chipping Norton (1600m) a fortnight ago. Gets to the right distance now and will improve again, bit still remains a slight query at the WFA conditions.
Odds: $26.00
9. SINGLE – SCRATCHED
10. MOURINHO – (11)
He led all the way to record a victory over Midnight Martini last October at Moonee Valley (2040m) before a spell of seventeen weeks. Returned in a restricted 1400m race at Caulfield with a fair effort before a solid on-pace effort in the Listed C S Hayes Cup (1600m) finishing third, less than a length off winner Gold Sand. The trip poses no problem but the class should find him out.
Odds: $126.00
11. PRINCE CHERI – J Ford
Another import, this one from the David Van Dyke Warwick Farm stables, who was very impressive in winning a restricted race at Canterbury on a Friday night meeting a few weeks back, when making his Australian debut. On that effort, there is no doubt better things in store for this sire of German sire Lando but from a Friday night Canterbury meeting to the G1 Ranvet might be a bridge too far.
Odds: $31.00
12. SILENT ACHIEVER – J McDonald (8)
New Zealand mare who returned to racing two starts back in her native country under 61kgs and within a whisker of claiming victory in an Open Handicap over 1400m. She then travelled to Australia and took her spot in the Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) where, from barrier one, she had a nice run in transit but just couldn’t quite go with them when the pace picked up around the turn. She warmed up well late indicating that the 2000m third up, should suit ideally. She was unlucky in the G1 Rosehill Guineas over this track and trip last year when third to Laser Hawk and Ocean Park.
Odds: $3.30
13. FIVEANDAHALFSTAR – P Robl (5)
Last year’s VRC Derby winner who has ran second in each of his three starts since returning from a February. His last start was a very tough on pace effort in the Australian Cup, where he was claimed right on the line by fellow 3yo Super Cool. Was something of a sitting shot in the Australian Cup and from a good draw, will make his presence felt here.
Odds: $2.70
OVERVIEW
Fiveandahalfstar goes forward from five and should be able to set a tempo that suits him. He was very brave in the Australian Cup and there was four lengths between him and the third horse – Tanby. Silent Achiever looks ready for this judging by her effort in the Chipping Norton, where she was closing in good style behind Shoot Out. As the market indicates, they appear to be the two logical choices so looking for a bit of value for the multiples, think Kelinni from the inside draw, is capable of a better effort on a track that he enjoys racing at. After two fantastic runs, Mawingo was inexcusably poor last start – too bad to be true?? From gate five with Hugh Bowman up, I’ll give him another go.
