Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Wandabaa's pleasing performance
Randwick, Listed Bob Charley AO S., $150,000, 1100m
Wandabaa (Wandjina) presents here right at the back end of her preparation after stringing together five pleasing performances. The Kris Lees-trained mare hasn’t been able to secure a win in all five attempts but hasn’t been far off the mark.
She draws in barrier seven and is capable of turning the tables on the Brad Widdup-trained Adelong (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) who had her measure here last fortnight over 1100 metres. Adelong herself is a class individual but will need to offset drawing out in barrier 13.
Ballistic Lover (Smart Missile) is another who will be at a disadvantage due to the barrier draw. The lone filly is set to jump from the far outside, barrier 16, under Regan Bayliss and will require plenty of luck to extend her win streak to three this time in. While Godolphin gelding Viridine (Poet’s Voice {GB}), will be required to lump the top weight of 60.5kgs, however, the James Cummings-trained 6-year-old is the clear class runner and will relish the Soft surface on offer.
King hard to beat
Belmont, G3 Seacorp - Hyperion S., $200,000, 1600m
The Velvet King (Universal Ruler) looks hard to beat here again after winning the G3 Belmont Sprint over 1400 metres on resumption.
He is equally as effective second-up and is proven over a mile having finished in the top two on three occasions. He draws barrier two for this event and maps to get a lovely run under Mitchell Pateman.
Valour Road (Frost Giant {USA}) presents fourth-up and rock-hard fit after finishing 1.7l behind The Velvet King here last fortnight. He draws superbly in barrier four but is unproven over a mile despite boasting brilliant fourth-up statistics.
The Bob Peters-owned Leading Girl (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) is building an imposing record having finished in the money at 11 of her 12 career starts.
She draws out wide in barrier 11 but can settle back in the field and attack the line strong here out wide, while Dance Music (War Chant {USA}) looks ready to run a big race after finishing third at her first to runs against similar opposition this time.
