BLACK PEARL STAKES

RACE 9 - 1200m

GRACIE'S RAIN / HEART OF GLASS / NAIFAH

Very tricky field to analyse in the Black Pearl with form coming from all different directions, but we've landed on GRACIE'S RAIN, a five-year-old mare by AKEED MOFEED trained by Michael Huglin at Pakenham. She is a fine bred mare and it has shown in the results with seven wind from 18 starts in Victoria. Went back-to-back winning at Kilmore, then Stoney Creek early last year, before three close up finishes in the Autumn. Led all the way to win over 1100m at Caulfield resuming, before an even effort for 4th at Ballarat and another victory leading all the way over 1200m at Caulfield Heath last start. Will come across and try to stretch them, so right in the contest and primed for a fight.

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HEART OF GLASS is bred for power and speed being from the sire IMPENDING from a Zabeel mare. Chased the entire straight resuming fresh after two Flemington jumpout wins and sure to be in sharper condition with that run behind the McEvoy trained mare. Very good when last seen, running on wide out for 2nd over 1200m at Caulfield before winning there after surviving a late challenge. Those runs were good enough to suggest Coffey can position away nicely and open her up with room to move turning in. Odds on offer are super sound.

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NAIFAH seems a highly progressive type from the Price/Kent Jnr yard who has been carefully handled by the team. I AM INVINCIBLE filly is out of a SNITZEL mare in NAJMAH and a three-quarter sister-in-blood to dual G1-winning mare CHARM STONE. Naifah has seven starts on her resume that included a stakes-placed in the Listed SAJC Cinderella Stakes and he accelerated smartly to win her maiden over 1000m at Hawkesbury. Race shape didn't suit so well in the Gr.3 Red Roses at Flemington, but expect a better performance here after a nice 2nd placing at Caulfield at the latest.

☆☆

COASTAL CLASSIC

RACE 8 - 1700m

ST LAWRENCE / HOLYMANZ / OPENING ADDRESS

ST LAWRENCE is set for a quick turnaround following his performance in the Lord Stakes on Boxing Day at Sandown. In that race, he demonstrated a strong closing effort from an off-speed position, ultimately finishing second to REGAL ZEUS. Given his favourable draw and current fitness, coupled with his return to some positive recent form, he just has to be considered a significant contender. The REDWOOD gelding hasn't been the most consistent in his career, but when he strikes top form he can usually hold it for a few runs, like when winning twice over the mile at Randwick in late 2024 and the same with dual 1400m wins at Caulfield in 2023.

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HOLYMANZ seems to have been around for a fair while and the ALMANZOR gelding did win the Werribee Cup (1600m) two starts ago after running 3rd in the Cranbourne Cup, so well suited on these smaller courses. We saw this horse run 4th in the Aotearoa Classic at Ellerslie in early 2024, then ran 2nd to ATISHU in the Blamey at Flemington. Consistent but can be a bit in-and-out, although does appear in a strong position here over a suitable trip.

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OPENING ADDRESS often goes out at big odds but seems to have been kept safe here after winning over 1800m at Caulfield two back paying $20. Was ridden right out that day and did beat home a couple of handy horses, which all bodes well if you can overlook the last start. Box seated and faded fast to finish last at Cranbourne which was under pressure at the 500m. Just forget it went around as trainer Liam Howley couldn't find anything amiss with the SO YOU THINK gelding and he does drop 5kg.

☆☆

GEELONG DIAMOND

RACE 3 - 1100m 2YO

TORTURE / MOANA SPIRIT / GOLDEN PULSE

Listed winner TORTURE headlines Lindsay Park’s Geelong Diamond assault as the stable eyes a $1 million New Zealand target. The SWORD OF STATE filly's performance in the Diamond will be a critical determinant in assessing her potential for the Karaka Millions and will inform the team's decision regarding a late January trans-Tasman journey. One run for one win in the Listed Debutant Stakes at Caulfield back in October, with couple of solid jumpouts to prepare for a return. Won't jump favourite here as plenty of early season form about these juveniles, but does look the one coming out of this stable.

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The TAGALOA filly MOANA SPIRIT looks to have some ability after trialing up nicely, then winning on debut for Tony and Calvin McEvoy. Jumped out ok over 1000m at Morphettville before taking over at the 100m and draw right away. Super strong to the line and thats good enough to suggest she can run another top sprint race with a Flemington jumpout victory a week ago. Looks s serious threat in this field.

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After finishing second when racing handily in a jump out in November at Cranbourne, the TIVACI colt GOLDEN PULSE extended a terrific family tradition of winning first-up as a two-year-old. His dam GOLD FEVER made a perfect start to her racing career with a dominant three and a half length win and became a finalist for Champion Two-Year-Old following her victory in the Group 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) and placing in the Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m). The half sister to champion 2YO LA DORADA is just another Te Akau juvenile bursting with quality and Mark Walker should have this boy tuned up for this. Ridden by Beau Mertens, the colt sat off the two leaders in third, travelled up nicely on their heels turning for home, and finished stoutly to claim the lead and win going away to score comfortably by two lengths.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 84 HANDICAP

RACE 7 - 1400m

BIG SWINGER / NAVAL ACADEMY / CARBANADOS

There is a possibility BIG SWINGER could be too good for this lot and looks one of the better win bets on the card. He had a 2/2 record to commence his career for Charlotte Littlefield, both victories over 1200m at Ballarat. With each race, he has demonstrated improvement, suggesting that he will thrive in the 1400m distance. Finished 2nd in the Fisher Stakes at Flemington, then went full bore late when running 3rd in the Testa Rossa at Caulfield. Kept chasing back to the 1200m last start at Pakenham, but likely to be in prime shape for this. Big weight, however 2kg knocked off with Logan Bates aboard.

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NAVAL ACADEMY has been a strong performer since coming four wide to run 2nd at Moonee Valley in August, with three short spells interspersed to benefit the horses recovery as a strong fresh up performer. Ciaron Maher travelled the JUSTIFY gelding to Morphettville in September where he finished 2nd in BM76 grade, then won the next there and another on the Geelong synthetic in front of STOLLI BOLLI. Drifted wider on the long Pakenham straight last start, but has won the only run here and three weeks between runs.

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The BELARDO gelding CARBANADOS was running tidy races in the Autumn, with a nice 1400m win at Sandown before being our gunned late when 3rd here at Geelong. Charged away to win impressively over 1290m resuming at Randwick in November, then given another month off before a soft effort at Rosehill the beginning of December. Sure to be sharpened up by the boys and looks the surprise package with a 3kg claim. Drawn to give it a nudge of able to match the pace of the favourite.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 84 HANDICAP

RACE 6 - 1100m

HARRY'S YACHT / NDOLA / STYLISH

The HARRY ANGEL gelding HARRY'S YACHT hasn't had it all his own way since winning impressively at Bendigo in October, with two tough runs to cotend with. Blocked at a vital stage in the Stockade (1200m) at Ballarat and despite chasing hard wasn't no chance of picking up the winner. Basically outsprinted when 3rd in the Gold Carat (1200m) last start at Cranbourne and had every possible chance. Maybe just flat spot in the prep as we know how good this guy is as the Corsten/Larkin team really haven't put him under any serious pressure. Like to think he can stay out of trouble this time and fire up big in the run home.

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NDOLA was a shade disappointing last time out, but is much better than that and expect the Hayes boys to make the right adjustments to bring out the best in this JUSTIFY gelding. Won the first two this prep, firstly at Morphettville, then at Caulfield when up to the 1440m. Finished 3rd to the classy PERSIAN SPIRIT at Flemington who was on a roll, then chased that horse home after a five week break. Definitely a solid 2nd-up performer, so if he handles the 59.5kg, then in with a shout.

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STYLISH was running super hot throughout his last campaign, with wins at Bendigo and Sandown, before a tidy 3rd at Flemington in Fillies and Mares, then wound up gamely to win there over 1440m in August. Fanned wide for a decent 3rd resuming over 1400m at Caulfield and went one better for 2nd over the same trip at Ballarat last start. The five-year-old LONHRO mare will want to get on the board here for team Hayes, but ahe will need to return to her very best we imagine.

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BEST BET: BIG SWINGER

NEXT BEST: HARRY'S YACHT

BEST VALUE: OPENING ADDRESS

WILDCARD: NAIFAH