Quickie ready for Derby test
Morphettville Race 7, G1 TAB South Australian Derby, $500,000, 2500m
Mr Quickie (Shamus Award) looks well placed to continue his impressive record and become his sire's first ever Group 1 winner.
Now trained by Phillip Stokes having begun his career with Darren Weir, Mr Quickie has won eight of his 11 starts to date and the only query is whether he handles the 2500m trip.
His last start, a 2000m Vobis Gold Heath win at Caulfield, was dominant and he should get the right run here to be there among the finish.
Mr Quickie
Chapada (Bullet Train {GB}) brings a different formline, having been well-beaten when one of the leading chances in the G1 Australian Derby last time out. He did not handle the very heavy track that day and a return to his best, which includes an unlucky third to The Autumn Sun (Redoute's Choice) in the G1 Rosehill Guineas, would see him right in this.
Declarationofheart (Declaration Of War {USA}) also came through the Australian Derby, finishing eighth but has had the extra run since, overcoming trouble to win the G3 Chairman's S. in impressive fashion.
Behind him that day were several of his rivals here including Star Missile (Smart Missile), who has improved with every run this campaign, and Classic Weiwei (Shamus Award), who has made significant progress this time in, but gets a horror barrier of 17.
His stablemate Secret Blaze (Sizzling) was a dominant winner of the Listed Galilee Final at Caulfield last time out, beating subsequent Listed VRC St Leger winner Transact (Dundeel {NZ}) and that puts him in good shape for this.
Ridgewood Drive (Sebring) has been well-supported off a big win at Flemington over the 2000m last time out, but steps out to this distance for the first time.
Qafila (Not A Single Doubt) was fourth in the G1 Schweppes Oaks last week and is the only filly in the race.
McEvoy quartet dominate Sires'
Morphettville, G3 TAB SA Sires' Produce S. $150,000, 1400m
Tony McEvoy holds a vice-like grip on this 2-year-old feature with four of the top five chances in the market.
She Shao Fly (Epaulette) has been close-up at both her starts this campaign, including a last start third behind the promising Kooweerup (More Than Ready {USA}) at this track. She certainly looks the type to relish the step up to 1400m.
You Hadme At Hello (Not A Single Doubt) was a huge seven-length winner in her maiden at Gawler last time out having disappointed when well-supported in stakes company on debut. This is a rise in class, but she is capable of improvement.
Also a big winner at Gawler was Hinchpin (Hinchinbrook) who strolled in by four lengths over the 1500m. The fourth McEvoy runner, Mr Deadline (More Than Ready {USA}) was a strong all-the way winner at Ballarat last time, but again that was only in maiden company.
The threat to them is likely to come from the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace trained Fascino (Charm Spirit {Ire}), who was very good when fourth in the Listed Anzac Day S. last time and Barcali (Zoustar) who won at the same Ballarat meeting as Mr Deadline in a much faster time.
Tough stablemates head Guineas challenge
Morphettville, Listed Adelaide Galvanising Adelaide Guineas, $100,000 1600m
Stablemates East Indiaman (Hinchinbrook) and Winning Partner (Dawn Approach {Ire}) hold the key to this race, coming off tough wins last time out,
East Indiaman led all the way in the Listed Nitchske S. last time out, while Winning Partner lugged 61kg to get the money at Oakbank.
It is not a deep race, with Tongsai Boss (Street Boss {USA}), who drops back from his fifth in the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas last time, considered the major threat to the McEvoy pair.
