The Phillip Stokes-trained Brevitas will be looking to go one better when she tackles the Group 3 South Australia Sires’ Produce Stakes over 1400m at Morphettville on Saturday.
The daughter of Doubtland finished second in the Listed Oaklands Plate at her last start, finishing 0.54 lengths behind the Gordon Richards and Damien Moyle-trained Pretty Baby … also over 1400m.
Brevitas is well into her preparation … she is fifth-up here … and will be fully primed fitness-wise to give another bold showing. She has won on soft going before, but the track is currently a heavy 8 which will be a factor in the outcome. Brevitas will also be challenged by her wide draw.
Brevitas, who is the current favourite for the race according to leading betting apps Australia, will again be partnered by Harry Grace, who was in the saddle in the Oaklands Plate runner-up finish.
But there is no shortage of other contenders.
The Gordon Richards and Damien Moyle training partnership could again rain on Brevitas’ parade just as they did in the Oaklands Plate.
This time the stable is represented by the Bivouac colt Shivouac, who scored a spectacular win on debut … in his only start to date … romping home by a 4.78-length margin when unwanted in the betting at $31 in a Maiden Plate over 1050m.
The Sires’ Produce represents a big step up in both class and distance, but the merit of his win in his first taste of race action means he will deserve every consideration here where he currently fills the second favourite slot at $6.25 according to leading betting sites with sign up bonus.
The three other runners quoted at odds of under $10 are Expensive Taste ($6.50), Burning Heartz ($7.50) and Spain ($9.50).
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Expensive Taste might still be a maiden after four starts, but that could be a misleading point, given that this daughter of North Pacific did finish third in the Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce behind the boilover winner Gritzinger Heart and Zambales, who both went on to tackle Group 1 company in subsequent starts.
The Gavin Bedggood-trained Burning Heartz also came back a winner on debut over 1300m in her only start to date. While that win was only claimed by a narrow margin, it is fair to suggest there will be natural improvement to come from that run, which is why the betting is keeping her safe.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Spain has only had one previous start in which he finished unplaced over 1100m. A point of note there is that race was won by the very promising Omelong, who is unbeaten in two starts.
It all shapes up as a very competitive race.
