OVERVIEW 

 

MOONEE VALLEY – FRIDAY

BORDER LEICESTER [HIGHWEIGHT HANDICAP]

In the money last start running second at Echuca but has disappointed in all eight starts as a favourite. Won once this prep at Cambridge 11 runs back. Place chance.

 

CRANBOURNE – SATURDAY

COMANCHE BRAVE [SHOOTING STAR STAKES]

Beautifully bred by Sacred Falls from a Savabeel mare who is a dual city winner when last in work is a winner at this distance and could be hard to beat while fresh.

OCEANS OF STANIMA [SHOOTING STAR STAKES]

Former Kiwi galloper who is making its debut in Australia with the Peter Moodie stable.  Owned in the same interests as Melbourne Cup syndicate who owned Verry Elleegant and Incentivise.  Finished fourth at Te Rapa last start on soft ground.  Has had two starts at this distance and has won them both however they were on synthetic tracks.  Has a limited record fresh but the syndicate who have this horse would be aiming for stronger races for this son of Ocean Park.

MANASA [SHOOTING STAR STAKES]

Lightly raced galloper who finished powerfully to win a Cranbourne maiden three starts back.  Always shown ability and has also shown a strong leaning to its home track, Cranbourne.  Out of a Zabeel mare and will threaten here.

FORCE OF WILL [ROSEMONT STUD]

Former Kiwi galloper who is a winner of two of three starts at this track.  Looked good winning at Trentham and Ellerslie before landing in Australia in early April this year when unplaced behind Hungry Heart in group one company.  Hasn’t been seen since May however stable have winning ways and must be respected.

BELLE PLAISIR [ROSEMOUNT STUD]

A winner at Awapuni on two occasions earlier this year against similar company that she is meeting here.  Her two efforts in Australia at Geelong and especially at Flemington last time is a strong pointer to her future here.

AGE OF CHIVALRY [CRANBOURNE CUP]

A son of He’s Remarkable from Kaapstad mare Onyx who was brave in winning last Saturday at Flemington against similar company.  He has a great strike rate however he is on trial at this distance having been placed twice in the past.  Drawn ideally will go very close.

JUSTACANTA [CRANBOURNE CUP]

Came to Australia in early September and has proved a model of consistency.  Two wins at Flemington over shorter distances than this and showed last week with his solid placing behind Age Of Chivalry that he is now ready for a tough 1600 metres.  His added advantage cold be if the rain does arrive on Saturday as he is a four time winner on wet surfaces.  

IN A TWINKLING [CRANBOURNE CUP]

Interesting runner whose form in New Zealand has been sound especially against group one opposition.  She went to New Zealand in foal to Australia’s leading stallion Fastnet Rock out of former top line race mare Moment In Time.  He is now in Australia hunting late spring races and while he is having his Australian debut here he could race well fresh as he is a winner first up in the past.

RIDDLE ME THAT [CRANBOURNE CUP]

By Deep Field from an Entrepreneur mare finding it difficult to break through but has been highly competitive at Caulfield,Flemington and Sale in recent starts.  Another who may find this trip a testing assignment.

BLANDFORD LAD [MARATHON HANDICAP]

Son of Savabeel who came home well here at Cranbourne last start over a similar journey and is sure to be running on.  

BRILLIANT VENTURE [MARATHON HANDICAP]

New Zealand bred stayer who was a winner here last start and will be competitive.

 

NEWCASTLE – SYDNEY

LOST AND RUNNING [THE HUNTER]

Purchased by Sydney owners and has been a model of consistency winning six races from just 11 starts as well as two minor placings.  Finished a brave fourth two starts back in the Everest behind Nature Strip and was then again gallant in the million dollars winners spring at Rosehill at the end of October.  This is one of the richest races stages in country New South Wales and is sure to be hard to beat at this level.

STOCKMAN [THE HUNTER]

Has had a long spell since enjoying success in the early winter months of this season.  Has performed well first up before and if the track becomes rain effected as the forecast is claiming,this son of Tavistock will indeed be competitive.  

COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO [THE HUNTER]

Another Kiwi bred galloper who raced with great success in Singapore last year and showed glimpses of that talent during the Sydney winter.  He is by Echoes Of Heaven and could be one of the main dangers after two strong trials locally here at Newcastle.