The first of the Group races on Saturday is for the 3yo Colts and Geldings and sees a capacity field of eighteen (including two emergencies) line up. This race hasn’t been kind to pre-post favourites in recent years with several shot-priced favourites going under. This year’s early favourite is the Darley runner Proverb ($3.80), narrowly from Phillipi ($4.60) and Hippopus, who has already been backed in from $6.50 to $4.60 with Sportsbet.
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1. HONORIUS – C Brown (10)
Has had three runs this campaign but displaying none of the signs that saw him place in G1 company behind It’s A Dundeel last spring. They tried to ride him more aggressively last start in the G2 Phar Lap Stakes but he weakened badly in the straight and finished last.
Odds: $34.00
2. PROVERB – (3)
He has had two runs back from a spell that consist of a fifth when first up in the G2 Hobartville Stakes behind Pierro and Rebel Dane and then, closed well from last to finish sixth (beaten 4.2 lengths) behind It’s A Dundeel. These are the two form horses of the moment and he did win the Listed Dulcify Stakes over 1900m here at Rosehill when third up last prep.
Odds: $3.70
3. PHILLIPI – L Nolen (4)
Won his first three starts including the Listed UCI Stakes (1800m) before a spell and resuming in February in the G3 C S Hayes Stakes, where he finished a close up fourth. Caught the eye second up in the Australian Guineas where he closed well from the tail of the field before closing well again off a moderate pace when second to Hvaastan in the G2 Alister Clark. Third up 2000m looks ideal – especially with a more genuine tempo up front.
Odds: $4.60
4. SOLEMN – (1)
Darley’s second runner and winner of the Geelong Classic (2400m) last Spring but in three runs back from a spell, the son of Bernardini is yet to figure in the judges numbers. He’s been well beaten in both the G1 Randwick and Rosehill Guineas and just couldn’t see him improving off those runs.
Odds: $15.00
5. ROWIE – C Reith (13)
He’s won two of ten for trainer Paul Messara – a restricted race at Kensington and a Benchmark 68 at Warwick Farm but he has had a dip at some good races with fair results. He’s last start, second up from a spell, was a fifth behind Toydini in the G2 Phar Lap Stakes where he just held his spot in the run to the line. Harder again here today and drawn wide.
Odds: $41.00
6. KNOCKABOUT – B Avdulla (12)
Snitzel gelding who won a Canterbury BM 70 two starts back before leading and running third (beaten 1.6 lengths) behind Trick Shot in a BM 75 (1900m) a week and a half ago. I know his Trainer Bjorn Baker is going well but this is ambitious.
Odds: $34.00
7. LASER FLASH – J Collett (14)
Ran third behind Proverb in the Listed Dulcify Quality in the Spring and trainer David Payne, has built the Redoute’s Choice colt up slowly with three runs back this campaign, the latest of which was win in a BM 70 under 59kgs against four competitors. Big jump in grade made harder by gate 14.
Odds: $34.00
8. HIPPOPUS – N Rawiller (2)
Only made his debut for Gai Waterhouse back in November last year but, has won three from seven since – including his last two outings. The son of High Chaparral is improving each time he steps on the race track and has shown great tenacity in this last two wins, the latest a tough effort in a BM 70 at Canterbury. Goes forward again from barrier two and is capable of sticking on.
Odds: $4.60
9. TWISTED EMOTIONS – J Bowman (6)
John O’Shea produced this gelding first up at Golburn in a restricted race for a win and he backed that up with a head win a BM 70 at Gosford. Jumped straight from Gosford to the G1 Rosehill Guineas but as expected, was well and truly found out and finished a long last.
Odds: $19.00
10. GERONTUS – D Dunn (18)
Produced a good run first up in the CS Hayes Stakes three starts back, closing well form tail to finish four lengths behind Sheer Talent before appreciated the drop in grade and claiming a RST 72 Sandown event (1800m). Took on some of Victorian’s best in the Alister Clark and finished fourth behind Hvaastan and Phillipi but his chances were dashed you would think at the barrier draw.
Odds: $41.00
11. INDIANAPOLIS – T Berry (8)
At his second start, he won a Wyong Maiden. At his third start, he was beaten a lip in the Listed Dulcify Quality by Proverb. The Redoute’s Choice gelding was then spelled but his anticipated return hasn’t lived up to expectations and he’s finished eighth in the Canberra Guineas and eighth again in the Phar Lap Stakes. Will go forward again but can’t have him on his two runs in this time.
Odds: $21.00
12. PERFECT WEAPON – P Robl (9)
Greg Hickman trains this Canny Lad gelding but he’ll struggle given his last two starts where he placed fifth in a Gosford and sixth at Canterbury, both at BM 70 grade.
Odds: $126.00
13. DE LA DILO – M Rodd (11)
Chased home stable-mate Laser Flash last start in a BM 70 at Canterbury – not here.
Odds: $81.00
14. KING OF OLYMPIA – B Shinn (16)
Well bred son of Encosta de Lago who did run fourth to It’s A Dundee in the G3 Gloaming Stakes during the Spring but finished a disappointing last when resuming from a spell on the 13th March. Trainer Gai Waterhouse sent him back to the trails and whist he produced a better effort at his next and most recent start when third in a BM 67 at Canterbury, it’s still not good enough to be winning here.
Odds: $67.00
15. HIGH SHOT – C Williams (7)
Stable-mate to Phillipi who was ok late in the G2 Phar Lap Stakes last start, finishing sixth (beaten 4.2 lengths) behind Toydini. That was only his fourth career start and being by High Chaparral out of a Sir Tristram mare, he should eat up the 2000m and is one not to be overlooked.
Odds: $7.00
16. AIR STRIKER – G Schofield (17)
Mike Moroney trains this son of Pentire and has produced him on three occasions. He won his maiden at Echuca two starts back and headed straight to town for a credible second (beaten 2 ¾ lengths) behind High Esteem in Open Company over 1700m. Good effort last start behind a horse that is favourite for SA Derby and would think, still on the improve?
Odds: $21.00
17. SIR DENZEL – J McDonald (5) – 1st Emergency
Won a Newcastle Maiden two starts back and was then safely held in a BM 70 over 1900m last start at Canterbury.
Odds: $101.00
18. SALISBURY – (15)
OVERVIEW
Waterhouse pairing of Hippopus and Indianapolis go forward and no doubt a few of the outsiders will chance their arm as well. I’m sticking with Mick Kent here who has Phillipi and High Shot. Phillipi will appreciate getting to this trip and the more genuine tempo and High Shot I feel is on the improve and could improve substantially over this trip. Proverb looks ripe for this but in a race that has bought undone many favourites in the past, just cautious about the $3.70.
