FLEMINGTON – SATURDAY 

VICTORIA DERBY

FORGOT YOU:

Has taken the Victorian three-year-old ranks by storm with three wins from his past five starts.  By the all-conquering Savabeel who unwound a brilliant finishing burst to win at Moonee Valley last Saturday.  Connections were so taken with the youngsters’ performances they were keen to start the horse in the Melbourne Cup if successful in Saturday’s race.  

TUTUKAKA:

This is a gelding who has been given the ideal Derby preparation which commenced in early June with two runs in Queensland in a bid to build up for Saturday’s classic.  By Tavistock and at Geelong last week showed terrific staying ability to win the three-year-old classic over 2200 metres.  Up a touch in class but has gaining legitimate form with every start.

GUNSTOCK:

Another Tavistock offspring who followed a gritty placing at Flemington to start back with a compelling victory on a soft track at Caulfield last start.  Only had the four starts for two wins and is stoutly bred on his mother’s side so the journey should be ideal for him.

JUNGLE MAGNATE:

Has slowly crept up into Derby contention at his last two starts.  Well-bred staying youngster who scored his first and only victory at Sandown in June.  After a break he went to South Australia and was luckless in the Hillsmith Stakes.  His third last Saturday behind race favourite Forgot You is a significant pointer to his chances.

COMMANDER HARRY:

Appears to be a rags to riches story.  Unheard of in early September and is now a genuine prospect of taking home one of Australia’s most prized classics.  He is by Reliable Man out of Our Josephina which is an excellent breeding line for a Derby.  He nearly pinched it last Saturday at Moonee Valley behind Derby favourite Forgot You.  Consider strongly.

CHEERFUL MOMENT:

Taking a while to hit his straps however his pedigree of sire Mongolian Khan suggests that he will relish the 2500 metres here.  His effort two starts back behind Rhinoceros was full of merit and perhaps the deteriorating track didn’t help his cause last Saturday.  

SPIRIT OF GAYLARD:

Another lightly raced three-year-old with just three runs to date.  However, ploughed through the heavy conditions at Bendigo in early October to break his maiden status and then came from near last at Moonee Valley last Saturday to be beaten just two and a half lengths against group two company.  On the improve.  Consider.

 

FLEMINGTON – SATURDAY 

PRIX DE TURN (CARBINE CLUB STAKES)

Far from disgraced when having only its second race day start in the Caulfield Guineas last time.  Settled last from his poor draw but rattled home to be beaten under six lengths from Cox Plate runner up Anamoe.  

CORKSCREW (CARBINE CLUB STAKES)

A son of Redwood who looked very strong when a closing fourth at Caufield last start in strong company on a wet track.  Having only its third run here but its pedigree suggests that he will relish the 1600 metres of this race.

FUN FACT (HOTHAM STAKES)

Has struggled of late but his placing in the group three stakes at Rosehill was full of promise three starts back. Treat with caution.

EL PATRONESS (WAKEFUL STAKES)

Form is hard to fault with a win at Flemington over 1800 metres and then lost no admirers when second behind Gunstock at Caulfield last time.  Drawn to get the run of the race and will be hard to beat.

KAPALUA SUNSET (WAKEFUL STAKES)

Another Tavistock youngster who in three starts has made a significant impression.  Followed an easy win by seven lengths at Kyneton with an inglorious showing at Caulfield last time when a short price favourite.  Bound to be better than that.  Watch betting.

NATIVE GIRL (WAKEFUL STAKES)

Nice filly who was born in New Zealand and born along English bloodlines.  Made a strong run late at Moonee Valley last week and is sure to be on the improve.

JUSTACANTA (STAKES)

Looked good in all three Australian starts since migrating to Australia.  Back in distance here but has been successful five times over this journey against good opposition and certain to be right in the finish.

TOFANE (EMPIRE ROSE)

Has been given a short break since a brave second behind I’m Thunderstruck.  She was a winner at group one level back in June in Queensland and her subsequent efforts at that level have been outstanding.  Drawn to get the run of the race.  

SIERRA SUE (EMPIRE ROSE)

Another crack mare by Darci Brahma who has won three of her last five starts at group level.  Forget about her effort at Caulfield in early October – her form before that was exquisite.  Drawn one which is another plus for her.

AMARELINHA (EMPIRE ROSE)

Outstanding New Zealand mare who is a winner of the New Zealand Oaks earlier this year and was fourth in the ATC Oaks at Randwick behind Hungry Heart.  Two subsequent Sydney runs have been sound.  Another who has drawn perfectly who could improve significantly.

FLYING MASCOT (EMPIRE ROSE)

Sprang back to form with an effortless win at Moonee Valley last Saturday under wet conditions.  She made a long-sustained run and this grade is not beyond her and has had two runs at this trip for a win and a second.  Consider.

RIODINI (KENNEDY STAKES)

Former NZ Tiley Racing Stables trained, now from the powerful Gai Waterhouse stable who was placed two starts back at group one level behind Verry Elleegant.  Put in a below average effort at Randwick last time but is a lot better than that.

ICEBATH (KENNEDY STAKES)

A daughter of Sacred Falls who has taken all before her and followed a luckless run in the Epsom Handicap early in October but then raced away from her rivals to win the $2 million invitation at Randwick last Saturday.  In stunning form and if any rain her chances will become even stronger.

KAHMA LASS (KENNEDY STAKES)

Drawn ideally and is another Darci Brahma daughter that should run well again at Flemington on Saturday.  Following her courageous win over Buffalo River at Caulfield last time the Richards stable have decided to trial the mare at Moe six days ago.  Drawn perfectly in one and will carry very little weight.  Go close.

ROMANCER (KENNEDY STAKES)

Honest galloper who finished a powerful second behind Elephant at Sandown two starts back but struggled at Moonee Valley last Saturday under the wet conditions.  Watch.

MR BRIGHTSIDE (KENNEDY STAKES)

Has had a remarkable climb through the classes since finishing out of a place in a Matamata Maiden at the start of this year.  Since then he has won two races at Sandown, one at Moonee Valley, one at Ballarat and a victory at Flemington.  Has had five starts at 1600 metres for five wins.  However jumping to group one class here which is a quantum leap for a horse of little experience but his powerful wins in the past 10 weeks has shown he has managed to equip himself well at every challenge that’s put before him.  

SWORD OF STATE (COOLMORE STUD STAKES)

Won four from five in New Zealand before crossing the Tasman, could be a bit of a challenge here.

 

ROSEHILL – SATURDAY 

The following runners with New Zealand connections for the $7.5 million Golden Eagle are:

 I’M THUNDERSTRUCK

Highly talented galloper who has been leniently raced.  Followed some unlucky efforts with a brilliant win in the group one Toorak Handicap at Caulfield last start.  He has rarely ever been out of a place.  His group one profile is brilliant.  Sure to be in the finish.

AEGON 

A beautifully bred New Zealand gelding by Sacred Falls from the Zabeel mare Toss Up.  His form in a lightly raced career has been outstanding.  His first up run when coming from last to be fourth in the group one Memsie Stakes at Caulfield was outstanding.  He was well in the market but struggled badly at Flemington last start, but the Baker-Forsman stable are far too astute to have this four year old at anything but his best.

ATISHU 

Outstanding form this preparation with two wins at Randwick and his only blemish was at Randwick at his last start in the Epsom Handicap.  Drawn awkwardly but has blinkers for the first time which is a telling gear change.