GEORGE MOORE STAKES G3

RACE 8 - 1200m

CABALLUS / TAVS / EPIC PROPORTIONS

The Bjorn Baker trained CABALLUS was super impressive when winning the Gr.3 Rising Fast Stakes at Flemington two back, leveling up at the 350m mark, then just kept kicking. Peaked on his run in the VRC Champions Sprint last start, and it was a big step up against the best sprinters in Australia. He has been given a mini freshen up since the Champions Sprint when off speed and tried hard but just lacked the class to go with them late behind GIGA KICK. Baker has done well though to being out the best in his I AM INVINCIBLE gelding, who can be a little inconsistent, but can put in huge when at his best. Has a big weight, but Tommy Berry comes north to ride with Rosehill on Sunday and this is a big jump back in class.

☆☆☆☆

TAVS is in a purple patch of form, taking over at the 150m in thd Toowoomba Weetwood and sheer bolting in, before running on best stepping up to the 1400m to claim the Listed Tattersalls Members Cup at Eagle Farm last start. The DUNDEEL gelding trained by Mark Currie racked up two over 1400m at the Farm in the Autumn, and although that appears his favourite course, he comes back to the 1200m and should be sharp enough condition wise to handle the drop back. Tough challenge, but can grab a piece of the action.

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Hard to knock EPIC PROPORTIONS who is a renowned big weight carrier and will only have to lug a soft 54.5kg jumping from a tidy gate. Ran then ragged over 1200m at Doomben in October carrying no weight, then kept trying fot 2nd on a very firm Eagle Farm track carring 60kg. Super in the Listed Keith Noud at Doomben dropping to 53kg, and we can't ignore his classy Caulfield win for Ciaron Maher showing good fight. Sure to be in tremendous condition and can go close here.

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WIDDEN STUD MODE STAKES (L)

RACE 9 - 1200m

FOREIGN PRESS / SYLPH / HI BARBIE

The Tony Gollan-trained FOREIGN PRESS consistently performs well and can give this a real shove jumping from the perfect inside gate. Despite a wide run at the Sunshine Coast two weeks ago, she was competitive, ultimately finishing second to GET READY LASS. With improved fitness and an increased distance, her racing style positions her as a significant contender in this race. The INVADER filly finished 2nd, then 3rd at Eagle Farm in August, then drew away to win comfortably over 1110m here at Doomben. 2nd at Toowoomba before a two month break, and a major player in this.

☆☆☆☆

SYLPH is still a maiden, but she is a quality filly for Michael Freedman, and we believe she has found a very favourable Stakes race. She resumed in a 1200m maiden at Canterbury, where she was near the speed and tried diligently but was unable to match the impressive winner, SUPERMASSIVE. Its anticipated that form will prove to be very strong, and the stable rarely makes an error when bringing horses to Brisbane. Opened at massive odds, but backed in big time.

☆☆☆

HI BARBIE was a highly rated Gollan two-year-old before going amiss, and the $27 does seem a little foolish, although she has been a bit off colour in her runs. Beautifully bred by I AM INVINCIBLE, out of OUTBACK BARBIE, she won the Listed Phelan Ready Stakes over a year ago and looked a hot Magic Millions chance before an injury setback made it difficult. Has struggled a bit since then, but don't dismiss Gollan turning things around at short notice and we won't totally run her out.

COUNTRY STAMPEDE FINAL

RACE 3 - 1110m

YOUR TOO GOOD / UNDER THE LIMIT / SMILING ZAC

Across regional Queensland, more than 16 heats showcased the very best of country racing, with horses chasing their shot at glory at Doomben. Former jockey Jade Doolan races YOUR TOO GOOD with her mother Vivienne and it will be a dream come true if the pair share the spoils of victory in the Country Stampede Final. she got Your Too Good for $8,500 off Stuart Kendrick at Caloundra and she’s been a very good buy. She won her first three starts when John (Manzelmann) trained her and she’s had a win and two placings from five starts since. The seven-year-old daughter of YOUR SONG finished sixth to the Ricky Vale-trained Master Montaro in a 1200m Open Handicap at Mackay in November and she always tries hard. Looks the one in the battle of the bush horses.

☆☆☆☆

UNDER THE LIMIT is coming off a last start fourth to the Roy Chillemi-trained Valenki in a 1200m Open at Townsville earlier this month. Trainer Tom Button had always planned to target the Country Stampede qualifying races with Under The Limit who finished second in the Battle of the Bush Final at Eagle Farm in June. The Stampede might be a fraction short but his run was good in the Battle of the Bush Final so he appears a solid chance on Saturday.

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SMILING ZAC hasn't put a hoof wrong running around Gatton and his home course of Toowoomba, with 7 wins and 10 second placings from 36 starts. Finished 2nd behind TIJUANA TWO STEP at Chinchilla in November, then no luck at Roma in the next. Strong at Gympie last start and we find it hard to rule out a horse that gives his all every time. The ZACINTO gelding trained by Mark Currie has drawn to play a role and is worth a punt at this fair win price.

☆☆

COUNTRY CUPS CHALLENGE

RACE 5 - 1600m

JOURNALISM / TIJUANA TWO STEP / SKYFORGER

The Country Challenge is for horses with no Metro wins within the past two years, and JOURNALISM is an I AM INVINCIBLE gelding honing in on a city victory. We believe he would have won at Mackay last time if Aidan Holt had initiated his move a little sooner. He commenced his effort late and made a strong charge, narrowly missing the victory. JOURNALISM will undoubtedly appreciate a truly run mile, as he receives significant weight relief and will be formidable in the latter stages of the race.

☆☆☆☆

Angela Jones jumps aboard TIJUANA TWO STEP, who won three-in-a-row at Clifton, Kumbla and Chinchilla from 1070m up to 1580m, so the SUPER ONE mare is highly versatile and brings the right formline. Wasn't suited by the (1) gate last start when chasing home SKYFORGER at Roma, although that was up in trip and she laid outwards when rounding the final turn. Did finish 3rd at Doomben last year before being ridden along there over 1350m and proved just too good despite being held up.

☆☆☆

Trainer Pat Webster and jockey Bubba Tilley combined to take home the Country Cups Challenge in 2024 with SKYFORGER. The DEEP FIELD Gelding trained at Toowoomba was victorious in this race two years prior and achieved a midfield position last year. They are now approaching their third attempt following a strong performance in the Roma Cup, where they overcame a deficit to secure a decisive victory carring a lofty 64kg. The gelding has demonstrated an ability to carry significant weight, is favorably positioned, and warrants some serious thought as a past winner in fine form.

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