A small be select field of 3yo’s line up for this year’s running of the Roman Consul Stakes. Zoustar, who has an outstanding overall record and is coming off a resounding victory in the G1 Golden Rose three weeks ago, heads the better at $1.85 According to the markets, he’s only dangers are Barbed ($5.00), Va Pensiero ($8.00) and Open Book ($7.00).
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Roman Consul Stakes Form Guide
1. ZOUSTAR – J Cassidy (4)
The son of Northern Meteor holds the impressive record of four wins from six starts including, at his most recent outing, the G1 Golden Rose (1400m) where he had to overcome the widest draw in a field of sixteen. It was a fantastic ride by Cassidy in the Golden Rose who produced him down the centre of the track and the Chris Waller trained galloper let down well. That followed up a very good effort when he resumed in the Run To The Roses when fourth (beaten 1 ¾) behind Va Pensiero. Can’t fault his form and has the class to counter the drop in distance here.
Odds: $1.85
2. VA PENSIERO – N Berry (5)
Returned to racing in sensational form winning the G3 San Domenico Stakes and G3 Run To The Roses (Zoustar third) in consecutive starts, both with strong on pace efforts. He had three weeks off after the Run To The Roses’ win before lining up in the Listed Heritage Stakes (1100m). From a wider draw, he was caught a few off the fence midfield but was doing his best work late to finish fourth (beaten 1 ¾ lengths) behind Barbed. Will be better rolling along in front or on pace and his previous two wins stand him in very good stead for here.
Odds: $8.00
3. BARBED – (2)
Won on debut for the Darley operation at a mid-week Canterbury meeting back in May and was then immediately spelled. He obviously blossomed over the break as the son of Canny Lad was backed from $14.00 into $5.50 when resuming in the Listed Heritage Stakes (1100m) at Randwick a fortnight ago. From an awkward position on the turn, he got a lovely run near the fence to win by a head, defeating Whittington and Diamond Oasis. Drawn to get another nice run behind the speed here but will need to have improved off of his first up win to make it two straight here.
Odds: $5.00
4. MR JACKMAN – T Huet (7)
He made it two wins on the trot when claiming a BM 65 (1350m) at Wyong just on six weeks ago now under 59kgs. His trainer Gai Waterhouse, has kept him up to the mark since that win with a Randwick barrier trial a fortnight ago. He’ll go forward from his wide gate but stepping up to this level he’ll struggle to hold of the late challenges.
Odds: $34.00
5. OPEN BOOK – C Reith (3)
Promising gelding from Darren Smith’s Broadmeadow stables who won his first two starts (Newcastle and Gosford) before coming to town and performing well when second to Aussies Love Sport in the G3 Ming Dynasty (1400m) just over a month ago. He was caught a little flat-footed as they rounded the turn last start but was coming again on the line. The form out of that race (Champagne Cath third, won since and Hooked fourth, good again) has stood up well and would have to rate a place chance.
Odds: $7.00
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6. HAVANA – J Parr (2)
Only can claim a third placing from his first four starts but indicated his ability by rounding his first campaign with a solid four length eighth behind Guelph in the G1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) back in April. The son of Starcraft was then spelled and returned with a fifth of eight behind Barbed in the Listed Heritage Stakes. He dropped out to the tail of the field in that race but was warming up nicely over the final stages before running out of room late. That run and the extra 100m will serve him well. If there is to be a boil-over, it may be this bloke.
Odds: $14.00
7. FLAK JACKET – J McDonald (1)
Full brother to Shellscrarpe and Red Tracer, this Grahame Begg trained galloper returned from a lengthy spell with a fast finishing head second to Earnest Desire in a Restricted race (1100m) at Warwick Farm three weeks ago. He has had a soft trail since to keep him up to the mark. As a 2yo, he competed in some smart races with the pick of his efforts being his fourth to Criterion in the Listed Black Opal Stakes (1200m). Might find himself in an awkward spot from gate one and at this level, would need everything to go his way.
Odds: $34.00
8. LITTLE MISS SMILEY – J Bowman (8)
The only filly in the race, this daughter of Husson has one win from her six starts, that coming in a Doomben maiden back in March. After that win, she contested some Listed races with the best of them being a half length second to Everage in the Listed Keith Mackay on a heavy track. Her better efforts are when she’s set the pace but from the widest gate, will have too much work to do against the boys.
Odds: $17.00
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OVERVIEW
Small field but pace should be ok with Mr. Jackman and Little Miss Smiley both going forward from wide gates. They’ll be kept honest by Open Book and Va Pensiero, who may lob in the right spot. He was got caught out on a limb last start but was good late. He’ll be better for that run and they’ll be more positive on him today. Just can’t fault Zoustar in any way. Each of six career runs have been very good and he’ll get to trial the speed here – which should play into his hands – and get the last crack at them. Liked the finishing effort of Havana first up, he’s another who will track the speed and be produced for one big finish and, having come on a little from his last start, is capable of a cheeky effort.
- ZOUSTAR
- VA PENSIERO
- HAVANA
- OPEN BOOK