The feature race on the Flemington card this Saturday is the Chester Manifold Stakes. Early favourite for the race is Darren Weir’s Anlon ($3.60) who is coming off a solid win last start. Also coming off last start victories are former Hong Kong galloper The Peak and Darley’s Limes. Both are challenging for favouritism at $5.00 and $4.00 respectively. Along with Peter Moody’s Kneeling, who returned with a good run in the Christmas Stakes a fortnight ago, the quartet look to have the race between them.
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Chester Manifold Stakes Form Guide
1. PRAIRIE STAR – O Murphy (11) 60kgs
It has been almost a year since this now 6yo from Danny O’Brien’s yard raced. The former imported galloper has had no trials in preparation for his return to racing and given that he’s drawn wide, has a hefty weight and hasn’t raced below a mile since his first two race start, wouldn’t be expecting too much from him first up.
Odds: $16.00
2. CHASE THE RAINBOW – D Lane (1) 57.5kgs
After two good barrier trials, the second one resulted in a smart 2 ¾ length win, plenty was expected from this Rick Hore-Lacy galloper first up in the Listed Christmas Stakes (1200m) despite the fact he was returning from a 15 month lay-off. The 5yo however never was a hope and finished a distant last, over twenty lengths from the winner Karacatis. Has always displayed ability but too hard to have him here with any confidence after last start.
Odds: $13.00
3. IT IS WRITTEN – M Allen (7) 57.5kgs
For the most part, he put together a solid spring campaign that included a victory in the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield in September. The Robbie Griffith trained galloper returned from a month off with a close up fifth (1.4 lengths) behind Karacatis in the Listed Christmas Stakes a fortnight ago. Better for that run but has only had the one start at 1400m and that was his worse run this campaign.
Odds: $18.00
4. LIMES – S Arnold (9) 57.5kgs
The son of Commands drew poorly in both the Listed Festival Stakes and G2 Villiers Sakes so his efforts to finish sixth (behind White Sage), and second (to Ninth Legion) respectively, were full of merit. His most recent start saw the 4yo appreciate the drop in grade (BM 95) and a more favourable draw, to record a comfortable 1 ¼ length win over stable-mate Babel. Draw hasn’t been kind to him again here but will go forward and should find a spot in or near the lead without too much trouble. On his Stakes race efforts in Sydney, he’ll be hard to hold out.
Odds: $4.00
5. THE PEAK – C Schofield (8) 56.5kgs
The former Hong Kong galloper arrived in Australian earlier this year and under the care of Bart and James Cummings, finished not too far of the winner in Stakes company, two of his first three runs in the country – all over six furlongs. The 5yo by Pendragon then stepped up to 1400m and two starts ago, run second to Loot ‘n’ Run before registering his first local win with a strong 1 ¼ length win over Amaethon in Open company. Getting better with every run and last start’s win stands him in good stead for this race.
Odds: $5.50
6. COOLDINI – (4) 56kgs
Robert Smerdon’s Bernardini gelding resumes here off a twenty-six week spell. The 4yo has won five of his thirteen starts with his last three victories coming in races over 2400m or further. Will find this way too short.
Odds: $41.00
7. REPARATIONS – D Moor (5) 54.5kgs
Returned to racing for trainer Anthony Freedman as 40/1 chance in the Listed Christmas Stakes (1200m). The 5yo by Exceed and Excel who races for Darley, was unlucky not to finish closer than his sixth of eleven (2.4 lengths) behind Karacatis after finding trouble in the straight. Did register a strong win last prep over Veewap at Caulfield in a 1400m race and with natural improvement expected from his first up run, he represent good value for the exotic bets.
Odds: $19.00
8. ANLON – D Yendall (6) 54kgs
Started a short 2/1 favourite two starts back in a RST 90 (1420m) race here at Flemington but got too far back from his inside draw and could only manage fourth (two lengths) behind Free of Doubt. Punters stuck with the Stratum 5yo though and again installed him the 2/1 favourite for his next and most start, an Open class race over the same track/trip on New Year’s Day. This time he didn’t let his supporters down and finished well to record a ¾ length win over He’s Your Man with Ameathon third. Will stalk this speed again here from six and be finishing hard.
Odds: $3.60
9. DASH FOR VIZ – G Boss (3) 54kgs
It has been two years and twenty-eight starts since this 7yo from the Robbie Griffith yard has recorded a win. He ventured to Adelaide two starts back, running third in the Listed City of Marion Stakes behind Addiction to Rock before returning to Victoria and posting a ninth (4 ¼ length) to Free Of Doubt. Got a long way back last start and would like to see him take up a closer position from gate three but his strike race (four wins from forty starts) make him a hard proposition to have.
Odds: $51.00
10. KNEELING – V Duric (10) 54kgs
He almost returned from a sixteen week spell in winning fashion after closing well to run a neck third to Karacatis in the Listed Christmas Stakes at Caulfield. That effort indicated that the 5yo mare by Encosta De Lago, who had finished close up in Group and Listed races at the end of her previous prep, has appeared to picked up from where she left off. The draw makes things a little awkward but she has the ability to overcome that on her day.
Odds: $6.50
11. GIG – C Symons (2) 54kgs
Recorded her fourth career win at start twenty-one last time out, winning a RST 84 (1400m) by a head. That followed a third placing to Sistine Demon and continued this mare’s solid form from four start this preparation. First go at Stakes grade her and will get her chance from a good draw but still likely to find a few too smart.
Odds: $15.00
RACE OVERVIEW
Think Limes should be able to find a prominent position here despite the wide draw. It is imperative he does as the 1400m chute at Flemington sees the runners enter a long and sweeping turn shortly after the start. His Sydney form has been rock solid and can see no reason why he wouldn’t be able to replicate that here in Melbourne. Liked the win of the The Peak last start, showed he is really starting to hit his straps and this race suits. Anlon – similar form lines has to be included as does Kneeling despite the poor draw. Best value in the race Repatriations.
- LIMES
- THE PEAK
- ANLON
- REPATRIATIONS
