Early look at the 2011 Easter Cup

Adam Page gives us his brief preview for Saturday’s Group 3 Easter Cup at Caulfield racecourse, view his full race preview and selections.

Form Guide

In an open race Fanjura, backing up from last Saturday, is the $7.50 favourite ahead of Spacecraft and Stole at $8, then $8.50 for Kutchinsky, Launay and Niblick, who was impressive last Saturday when winning. Luen Yat Forever is at $9 and they are the horses under double figures.

It was hard not to be impressed by Niblicks win last Saturday. Was at least 12 lengths from the leader at the 800m before getting on the back of Sense Of Sun into the straight and although he took a few strides to get going, he was very good on the line to score a reasonably comfortable win. The quick back up won’t be an excuse, the step up to 2000m immediately is a slight concern but he is in the right stable to pull it off and kiwi jockey, and a strong rider, Michael Walker is in the saddle and the horse will need that extra push from Walker if he is to be in the finish.

Avienus has been plagued by bad barriers, bad luck, unsuitable races and bad rides throughout this current prep. Was most unlucky last start at Caulfield behind Vivid Vixen when she was held up until the 150m before flashing through late for fifth. She has another nightmare draw in 14 but Steven King jumps on for the first time and if he can get the mare across to get some cover, she’ll be right in the finish.

Spacecraft cost himself the race last start by pulling his head off in the lead and was eventually grabbed in the last stride or two by the very promising horse Base. He has been given a 28 day freshen up for this, he has drawn beautifully in barrier three and Froggy Newitt is in the saddle. When you consider the calibre of horses he has raced against in the past, he isn’t that badly weighted with 57.5kg. He’ll be hard to hold out.

Launay was forced to make his run a bit too early last start over 1800m when rider Mark Zahra pulled out at the 800m to sit three deep on the speed and he kept grinding away for a solid sixth in a blanket finish. I’d like for him to be ridden more conservitively and find something to get a drag into the race because with the right run, he’ll get 2000m and he is weighted to be in the finish.

Niblick on top, narrowly, over Avienus, Spacecraft and Launay.

Written by Adam Page