Blake Shinn will be hoping to make it back-to-back Cameron Handicaps when he is legged aboard Hooked in the Group Three feature on Wedneday. Shinn rode Toydini to success in last year’s race for the late Guy Walter, a trainer he had plenty of success for, and he is quickly forming a similar association with Randwick Trainer John Thompson. Shinn rode Reflectance to victory for Thompson in final race on the card at Rosehill Saturday and will be desperate to break through on Hooked after partnering the horse during the autumn carnival fifth places in both the Randwick and Rosehill Guineas, third in the G1 Australian Derby and completing the season with a fourth in the Frank Packer Plate. Hooked opened up in betting at $5.00, one of five horses that the bookmakers couldn’t split.
Mr Chard ($4.50), Vilanova ($5.00), Rugged Cross ($5.50) and Spy Decoder ($5.00), were all given similar chances of winning according to the bookmakers however the punters were more decisive, rushing in to support Rowley Mile winner Mr Chard whose price quickly firmed into $3.80.
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1. SLOW PACE – J Bowman (9) 59kgs
Imported galloper who made a good impression in this race last year, his Australian debut, running third (half a length) to Mecir. Two starts later he ran third to Spillway in the JRA Cup (2000m) which is shaping up as good form given that horse’s recent efforts. This year’s Cameron is an extra 100m than last year’s race and that can only help this 7yo gelding who will be finishing the race off well for local trainer Kris Lees.
Odds: $17.00
2. HOOKED – B Shinn (3) 55.5kgs
Finished strongly first up from a spell to run fourth (1.2 lengths) behind Entirely Platinum before being caught wide in the run and pulling his way up to the lead in the G2 Tramway Stakes rounding the turn, whereafter he stuck on well given his run, to finish seventh (3.7 lengths) behind Lucia Valentina. Drawn much better here and will handle any sting out of the track and although he hasn’t won a race since his first two starts, it has taken some smart types to stop him from doing so.
Odds: $5.00
3. MR CHARD – K McEvoy (6) 55.5kgs
Remarkable effort by both trainer and horse to get this 7yo stallion back racing to his best ability off an extended period away from the track due to injury. After a strong finishing second (head) to Tiger Tees in the G3 The Aurie’s Star up the Flemington straight, trainer Tony McEvoy stepped him up in distance to contest the Listed Rowley Mile where from an on-pace position, he fought back after being headed in the run home to win by a half a length with Tougher Than Ever and La Amistad second and third. Whilst both of those horses have been average since, would think this bloke can only be better for the hit-out and has to rate one of the top chances here.
Odds: $4.00
4. VILANOVA – J Cassidy (4) 55.5kgs
After promising to on many occasions, the Chris Waller trained galloper really started to put it together at the end of last prep, winning the G3 Grand Prix Stakes in emphatic fashion before running third (beaten 0.7 lengths) in the G1 Qld Derby behind Sonntag. Returned pleasingly in the G3 Tramway Stakes where from last, he stuck to the fence in the straight (not the ideal place to be on the day) and worked home steadily to run sixth (3 lengths) behind Lucia Valentina. Fitter, drops to 55.5kgs from 57kgs, has a good jockey and gate.
Odds: $5.50
5. DANCHAI – B Avdulla (2) 55kgs
Could only hold his ground first up on a heavy track when 4.7 lengths eighth of twelve in the G3 Tramway Stakes (1400m). The imported galloper started to show signs of his potential last campaign when his races got to the middle distance range and would expect he’d need this run, and possibly another, before he reaches his peak.
Odds: $13.00
6. MIGHTY LUCKY – N Thomas (7) 54kgs
Barring his last start, where he failed to handle the heavy track in a BM 95 (1500m) at Randwick, the lightly raced 5yo Casino Prince gelding is in career best form. He made Entirely Platinum earn his win two starts back in Open company and rounded at last prep with close up finishes behind Tromso and Scream Machines, two horses that wouldn’t be out of place in a race such as this. Draw make it potentially awkward but if able to secure the right run, could sneak a place.
Odds: $14.00
7. RUGGED CROSS – T Berry (5)
Made it two wins from as many starts on a heavy track with a one and a quarter win over Tougher Than Ever last start in a BM 95 (1500m) at Randwick – who had previously ran second to Mr Chard in the Rowley mile. Had the right run in the race there and has drawn to find a similar position here from give five. He has been up for a while but is taking no harm from regular racing and any sting out of the track should be seen as an advantage to him.
Odds: $6.50
8. BILLY AUCASH – (1) 54kgs
Queensland visitor whose stable-mate Kingdoms, ran a terrific second in last Saturday’s Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill. The 7yo gelding has been racing in the most consistent fashion in his home-state this time in but with three seconds from his last four starts, two of which have been in Open company, he does find it hard to crack it for a win. He has had a dip at a few listed races in Queensland over the past twelve months, finding a handful too good for him on each occasion and would expect that to be the case again here.
Odds: $21.00
9. SPY DECODER – J McDonald (8) 54kgs
Started favourite for his return to racing in a BM 75 (1100m) at Rosehill last month. The Anthony Cummings trained galloper settled near last but caught the eye flashing home out wide in an unsuitably run race, crossing the line in fifth spot (2.8 lengths) behind Beckon. He then settled closer to the speed at his next and most recent start, running second in a BM 85 (1400m) at Randwick just over a week ago. In attempt to find better ground in the centre of the track, he eased wider out in the straight whilst the winner stuck hard up against the fence. Lost no admirers last start in finishing a close second to noted wet tracker Supreme Warriros and finished off last campaign with strong efforts in the Listed South Pacific Stakes and Hawkesbury Guineas – both of 1400m.
Odds: $5.00
RACE OVERVIEW
Pace here will be a tricky one with no natural leader engaged and only a small field to contest. Hook may lead here and could get to set his own tempo for Blake Shinn. It has taken some smart types to prevent him from winning his third race and third up last prep, run fifth to Dissident, El Roca and Eurozone in the G1 Randwick Guineas. Mr. Chard’s form is rock solid and his opening price of $4.50 was quickly snapped up. He’s hit out over the mile can only have fitter still and he is right in the mix. Spy Decoder is a good horse but just some concern about that combination of a wide gate and moderate pace which may make it hard for him to pick them up.
- HOOKED
- MR. CHARD
- SPY DECODER
