Carrum eyes St Leger success
Flemington Race 6, Listed VRC St Leger, $200,000, 2800m
The historic 3-year-old race, and Anzac Day tradition, sees Stars Of Carrum (Fiorente {Ire}) in search of a second stakes success, having competed in better company for much of this preparation.
A winner of the G2 AAMI Vase at Moonee Valley in the spring, and a runner-up in the G1 Victoria Derby, Stars of Carrum has contested the G1 Australian Guineas and G1 Australian Derby this time in.
Trainer Robbie Laing said the heavy track wasn't to his favour in the Derby at Randwick, where he had little luck, but he had recovered well and was ready to peak again in what looks an ideal race.
"He's worked extremely well, he looks well, will run the trip, loves Flemington and 2800m won't worry him at all," he told RSN.
Under the set weight conditions of the race, Stars of Carrum has a 25-point rating advantage in the race on his nearest rival. Laing indicated that if he didn’t run up to expectation, he would likely be gelded, and head towards either the G1 South Australian Derby and G1 Queensland Derby, or the Listed Andrew Ramsden S. which is ballot free into the Melbourne Cup.
His main rival looks to be Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott's Transact (Dundeel {NZ}), who was second in the recent Listed Galilee Series Final at Caulfield. He looks a very consistent stayer and Waterhouse has won this race in three of the past six editions.
"I pick out one horse each year for the race and Transact fits the bill this year as he's a dead-set stayer," Waterhouse said this week.
Just behind him in that race at Caulfield was American In Paris (Americain {USA}), who also looks a promising stayer for trainer Symon Wilde, as well as Archie Alexander's Convict Sam (Fiorente {Ire}).
Godolphin's Rock Dove (Epaulette) boasts a stakes win in Tasmania earlier this campaign and was a close-up fifth in the G3 Adrian Knox S. last time out. She looks the best chance of the five fillies in the race.
Super Seth set to shine
Flemington Race 3, Listed Anzac Day S. $140,000, 1400m
This race has produced some very handy late-season 2-year-olds in recent years and Super Seth (Dundeel {NZ}) certainly fits the bill.
He was a six-length winner on debut at Ballarat two starts back and then came out to win impressively, albeit by only a length, at Caulfield.
He looks a top class horse in the making and the market certainly expects him to handle the rise to stakes grade.
Super Seth
Matt Cumani's filly Deserved (Dundeel {NZ}) was very good on debut winning at Sandown last time. She was a $180,000 Magic Millions buy and looks to have a very bright future.
Cumani's fellow Ballarat trainer Archie Alexander is in good form at the moment and presents Chailot (Testa Rossa) here off a good win on her home track last time out.
Fascino (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) was third behind Chaillot last time out but is capable of improvement, albeit a much tougher test.
Elliots ready to Rock
Awapuni Race 7, Manawatu ITM Anzac Mile, $50,000, 1600m
Levin trainer Leanne Elliot has high hopes for Rock On Wood (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) in Thursday’s Listed Manawatu ITM Anzac Mile at Awapuni.
Rock On Wood is owned by Elliot and her mother Jill and will be ridden by her son Ryan. as the 4-year-old searches for a hat-trick.
“It is going to be his biggest test to date, so we will see how we go,” she said.
“I think we’re going to have to go back a bit from the wide draw (15). Hopefully we’re not too far off them and we certainly would have liked a better draw.”
One of the main rivals will be Shadows Cast (NZ) (Per incanto {USA}) who comes off an unplaced run in the G1 NZ Stakes, having won the G1 Thorndon Mile at Trentham three starts back.
Shadows Cast
Dolcetto (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) has been close up at stakes level at his past three starts and can also contend.
