3yo and race favourite Fiveandhalfastar is looking to break a frustrating run of second placing in this, the second of today’s five Group 1 races. He’ll be challenged by eleven competitors that include some struggling to find previous form, a couple of lightly raced and promising imports and a couple who have promised to but as yet, not quite delivered at this level. All in all, it makes for an interesting race.
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1. FORETELLER – J Cassidy (9)
He claimed his first Group 1 race and his ninth career victory when he took out the Ranvet Stakes (2000m) last start, here at Rosehill a fortnight ago. He was given a gem of a ride by Cassidy and finished too well for the 3yo Fiveandahalfstart to win by a ½ length. That made it three wins from five starts on this track and despite never having ventured past 2000m previously, is in the arguably the best form of his career and deserved serious consideration
Odds: $7.00
2. MAWINGO – C Williams (4)
Resumed in the G1 C F Orr Stakes and ran a cracker, finishing a ½ length behind All Too Hard and backed that up with another very good effort in the G2 Peter Young – fourth beaten ½ length. His two most recent efforts however, in the Australian Cup and Ranvet Stakes have been poor and fair respectively. Should get a gun run from gate four and the services of a top jock but just can’t bring myself to forgive him his last two runs.
Odds: $17.00
3. NIWOT – M Rodd (7)
Winner of the Sydney Cup last year and headed for the same race again this year. He was third up in the Ranvet last start but over 2000m & under WFA conditions, he was no match for them in the straight and finished eighth, 6 ¾ lengths off Foreteller. The step up to 2400m suits, as would any rain and he ran fourth in this race last year when fourth up however, think he was going better then than he is now and will be better suited over the two miles of the Sydney Cup to produce his best.
Odds: $51.00
4. KELINNI – N Rawiller (1)
Put together a sensational preparation last Spring which saw the Chris Waller trained galloper, claim the G3 Lexus Stakes before running an almighty fourth in the Melbourne Cup. He returned with fair effort in the WFA Apollo Stakes and Chipping Norton Stakes, were he finished fifth and ninth respectively, before sitting in behind the speed but struggling soon after they straightened for home in the Ranvet Stakes at his last start. Step up to 2400m will suit but still yet to prove himself at WFA.
Odds: $14.00
5. MALUCKYDAY – D Dunn (5)
It’s been a long time since this 6yo Zabeel gelding visited the winner’s stall – The G3 Lexus Stakes back in October 2010 to be precise. He’s had three runs in this time in, finishing well in each of them and was doing his best work late again last start in the Ranvet Stakes (2000m), where he railed home from last on the turn. The 2400m looks ideal and shouldn’t get as far back as what he did last start from gate five.
Odds: $6.00
6. GATEWOOD – C Brown (10)
Winner of the Geelong Cup at only his second Australian Start in the Spring but, hasn’t excited supporters in three runs since commencing this campaign in the G2 Apollo Stakes. In fact, his last start effort in the Ranvet Stakes, where he sat handy to speed before capitulating to run second to last and being beaten over eleven lengths, was woeful. Steward’s enquiry please, if he were to turn things around on that run.
Odds: $34.00
7. KUTCHINSKY – B Shinn (11)
He made connections wait nineteen starts and over two years before he registered his fourth career win, which came four starts back in an Open event at Flemington over 2000m. He didn’t make them wait too long for his next win though which came two starts later in the Listed Roy Higgins (2600m) no less. Danny O’Brien has the 6yo son of Anabaa going well but not well enough to win a G1 WFA I would think.
Odds: $81.00
8. SANGSTER – S Arnold (3)
He won two G1 races – the Auckland Cup (3200m) and International Stakes (2000m) and the G2 Avondale Cup (2400m) before he came across the Tasman and finished ninth (beaten 5.6 lengths) in the G1 Ranvet Stakes. Will be better suited to the 2400m and won’t be expecting him to get as far back as he did in Ranvet.
Odds: $15.00
9. LE ROI – G Schofield (2)
From the astute Adelaide stables of Tony McEvoy, this former European galloper has had seven starts in Australia for five wins including the G3 Summer Cup this track and trip back on Boxing Day last year. Resumed over 1900m and was doing his best work late to finish third (beaten 2.6 lengths) behind Julienas (who won again last week) in the Listed Sky High Stakes. That was a good effort first up and whilst this is a whole new level again, trainer is never too far of the mark and he has more upside than most.
Odds: $26.00
10. HATHRAS – C Reith (12)
Son of Dansili who had three starts in Germany and now calls the Newcastle stables of Kris Lees home and, from three Australian starts, would be pleasing his trainer no end. Strong in heavy ground when recording a 3 ¾ win over Thebigiam in a BM 75 at Rosehill before an absolute walk in the park to register a nine length over three competitors in a Restricted race at Warwick Farm over 2200m. Hasn’t beaten much to date but has done so in the most authoritative manner. Has plenty of ability and is untapped. Kept safe at $10.00 despite drawing the widest gate.
Odds: $8.00
11. SILENT ACHIEVER – J McDonald (8)
A NZ mare that has one win (the G2 Crystal Mile) from six Australian starts and in those starts, has started 9/4f, 9/4, 5/1 (in her win), 11/2 and 11/4. After her effort in the G1 Chipping Norton Stakes two starts back, thought she was a big chance in the Ranvet a fortnight ago. She loomed up after a good run in transit, but only battled late to finish fifth (beaten 4.1 lengths) behind Foreteller.
Odds: $9.00
12. FIVEANDAHALFSTAR – J Bowman (6)
He has been agonisingly close to victory at each of his four starts back this preparation, finishing second by head, a length, a nose and a ½ length in two G2 and two G1 races!! In the latest outings – the G1 Australian Cup and Ranvet Stakes and both over 2000m, he’s led all bar the final hops. He’ll go forward again and no doubt look the winner again but, given his been collared late in his previous two, will he be vulnerable again in the final furlong?
Odds: $2.80
OVERVIEW.
The 3yo Fiveandahalfstar leads out but I’m a bit concerned about him running out a strong 2400m against older horses, especially when having to take $2.80. Think I’d much prefer to take the each-way odds on Foreteller ($7.00) and Maluckyday ($6.00) Also keeping a close eye on two lightly raced imports who both leap grades compared to what they’ve been in previously however, both show above average ability and staying ability Hathras ($10.00) and Le Roi ($26.00)
