MANIKATO STAKES G1

RACE 8 - 1200m

BEIWACHT / JIMMYSSTAR / GIGA KICK / MY GLADIOLA

The classy Waller sprinter BEIWACHT led and did it quite comfortably to win the Gr.1 Memsie (1400m) at Caulfield last start on day where being on pace worked. But that was a spectacular field, so back to the 1200m might not be an issue in this current condition. The BIVOUAC horse won the Gr.1 Golden Rose (1400m) twelve months back, then the Gr.1 All-Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick in April. Probably some serious confidence in the stable and hard to go away from although this is no easier.

☆☆☆☆

JIMMYSSTAR has come forward from his last run and is coming back in trip with the blinkers chucked on by Maher in an attempt to switch him on. The PER INCANTO gelding may not appreciate the rail out after the dramas of last week. He finished 3rd in the All-Aged in April before a 4th in the Doomben 10,000 and a bold 2nd to HEADLEY GRANGE in the Kingsford Smith (1300m) after drawing wide, but he still gave his all. One run at Randwick in August with ANGEL CAPITAL leaning all over him but the stable happy based on a strong trial.

☆☆☆

GIGA KICK was a surprising flop in the Gr.1 Moir at Sandown after drifting off midfield three-wide when slow away, but the previous trial was very tidy and you cannot ne trapped out in a 1000m dash to the line amongst quailty sprinters. Won the Gr.1 VRC Sprint at Flemington last November and 2nd to JOLIESTAR in the T.J Smith at Randwick, so the ability of this star gelding is supreme when right. Willing to forgive that last effort because he is an Everest winner and runner-up.

☆☆

MY GLADIOLA had a different experience coming off the leaders back to let down stylishly late and win the Moir from CAVALRY GIRL and NATURAL FLING and this little grey pocket rocket is awesome when fit and on her game. Finished just too well, but the timing needs to ge pinpoint perfect with her. The I AM INVINCIBLE mare ran 2nd in the Gr.1 Coolmore last November and 2nd in the Gr.1 Lightning at Flemington, so she is as speedy as anything and a great chance to repeat.

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FEEHAN STAKES G2

RACE 5 - 1600m

MR BRIGHTSIDE / PRIDE OF JENNI / TREASURETHE MOMENT

MR BRIGHTSIDE was tremendous resuming with a bold 2nd placing in the Memsie, and despite being no match for the winner BEIWACHT, the champion gelding gave the rest a lesson with a solid return. Didn't appreciate the hard track at Flemington last start and went lame in the hind leg running on that cricket pitch. Ten Group ones and nearly $19M is earnings says this brilliant nine-year-old may not be done with just yet. At the mile 3rd-up just has to be in the frame as a great chance.

☆☆☆☆

PRIDE OF JENNI returns for team Ottobre and she is another who may be a bit long in the tooth but hasn't yet lost her zest for racing. The front-running juggernaut finished 3rd in the Gr.1 All-Star Mile before a vintage performance when 2nd to LIGHT INFANTRYMAN in the Australian Cup. Race run to suit when winning the Hollinsdale at the Goldie and was only run down late by BIRDMAN in the Doomben CUP (2000m). Trial win suggests she's good to go and will try to lead from go to woah. Vitally, the stable are pumped she is as good as ever.

☆☆☆

TREASURETHE MOMENT is potentially the forgotten horse in this and you just have to put aside the Makybe Diva when forced to work forward wide early and had no peace as equal leader. Had all the favours fresh for 4th in the Memsie, but sure to strip much fitter and only needs a safe, conservative spot to the turn. Third in the Cox Plate to VIA SISTINA last October and 3rd in both the Gr.1 Futurity and Queen of the Turf in the autumn so cannot be discounted based on quality alone.

☆☆

STUTT STAKES G2

RACE 6 - 1600m

LARA ANTIPOVA / DIAMETER / SOMETHINGS BURNIN’

LARA ANTIPOVA showed every ounce of her class and fighting spirit to win the Mike Moroney at Flemington aided by a brilliant Mark Zahra ride taking the inside rail run to burst thru at the 200m and hold them off. Franked her form as the best two-year-old in NZ last season and the Kiwi's who stayed loyal were rewarded with a nice price. The RUSSIAN REVOLUTION filly won the Wakefield and Matamata Breeders before claiming the Gr.1 Sistema at Ellerslie, but the real test now comes at the mile.

☆☆☆☆

DIAMETER looks a deadset miler from the Waller barn and following a win in the Fernhill mile at Randwick, the BRAZEN BEAU colt chased home FIREBALL and CAMPIONE D'ITALIA in the Gr.1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) but couldn't get past them despite trying hard. Encountered plenty of trouble in the two runs back over shorter in the Up-and-coming shift8nh our and Mike Moroney when held up near the 800m. Up to this trip appears quite threatening 3rd-up.

☆☆

JRA CUP G3

RACE 3 - 2000m

ROYAL SUPREMACY / SUNTORA / DARKBONEE

ROYAL SUPREMACY has needed to mature a bit more after being a bit too aggressive in his races and Ciaron Maher believes he is better in mind and attitude, and only needs to settle to be effective. The Metrop winner from last season, he experienced a good winter prep through and brings some sound fitness. Finished in the Chairman's and Premier's Cup up in Queensland in May before being gifted the Q22 (2200m) at Eagle Farm when streaking out to a massive lead and did it easy.

☆☆☆☆

Nick Ryan has been building SUNTORA back and the two resuming efforts in Melbourne have been sound. Won two back-to-back over 2000m at Caulfield early in the year before running third in the Sunline Stakes, Country Oaks and Mornington CUP (2400m) in behind KINGS VALLEY. The five-year-old TORONADO mare now has the opportunity to go to the next level and we believe she can with plenty of experience behind her.

☆☆☆

We wouldn't be too concerned about the run of the Wilde-trained DARKBONEE who was fierce throughout the middle stages at Caulfield last start and it was a career worst labouring home. Definitely uncharacteristic from the PALENTINO gelding who charged home late to win there the run prior over 2000m and few where coming from the rear that day. Been given a freshen up plus 1000m jumpout and we expect he could bounce back.

☆☆

SEA THAT STORM did win five in the UK up to 2000m before joining the Price/Kent Jnr team down under, with almost a year off before trialing. Finally got it right with the third run in Australia winning over 2000m at Flemington and held on well once hitting the front. Not so good on the Soft 7 at the lastest, however, on a firm track we could see a much better performance from the STORM THE STARS gelding and this is his pet distance.

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SCARBOROUGH STAKES G3

RACE 4 - 1200m

SCINTILLATION / CHAYAN / JADZIA

The I AM INVINCIBLE filly SCINTILLATION found the front at the 250m at Randwick and although they were eating into her lead, managed to hold on for a nice win in July. Won on debut at Gosford before being outsprinted by MEDICINAL in the Ottawa at Flemington and more experience now behind the O'Shea/Charlton trained filly. Chased home NATURAL FLING in the Gr.3 Quezette (1100m) at Caulfield but will need to continue to improve as a progressive three-year-old on the rise.

☆☆☆☆

The royally bred CHAYAN showed plenty of promise in her two-year-old preparation and can return a much stronger filly this spring but inly got home fairly resuming. A daughter of I AM INVINCIBLE, her dam is the stakes-winning mare LUBITON (Snitzel) and the blue blood has already shown through. She won the Gr.2 Blue Diamond Preview at Caulfield ahead of STREISAND and Gr.2 Reisling (1200m) at Randwick before a brutal run in the Golden Slipper. The Archibald's seem to have the $5.6M filly back in fine shape and ready to perform early.

☆☆☆

The lightly raced filly JADZIA has been carefully handled by Grahame Begg thus far, with a 2nd to MEDICINAL in the Ottawa on debut, then fractious beforehand in the Thoroughbred Breeders and underperformed. Returned with a strong effort and far too good under a decent hold by Jordan Childs at Ballarat and the trials surrounding that win have all been positive. She does come across as a tidy OLE KIRK filly who should be a bit wiser this time in as a three-year-old.

☆☆

STOCK STAKES G2

RACE 7 - 1600m

CHANGING COLOURS / SASS APPEAL / TOO DARN DISCREET

Lucy Yeoman has CHANGING COLOURS on fire at present and it was no surprise after seeing his trial at Cranbourne in June. Charged clear to win over the mile at Flemington in July, then far too sharp at Caulfield taking over at the 200m after shifting out wider. Ran down the leaders to win comfortably at Sandown last start and THE AUTUMN SUN mare is in a perfect patch of form. May be just as hard holding her out once more at the 1600m.

☆☆☆☆

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