OPEN HANDICAP

RACE 8 - 1800m

GILDED WATER / MAKDANE / PUDDING

CARLYON STAKES G3
RACE - 1000m
CAVALRY GIRL / HEDGED / BEAST MODE

The Tom Dabernig-trained CAVALRY GIRL has been firing on all cylinders this prep with three wins and two second placings, proving particularly lethal at Caulfield over the 1000m. Raced right away to win easily at Morphettville in the Lightning Stakes (1100m) before coming two wide at Caulfield and just bolted in looking a class above. The BIVOUAC mare has gone to another level and she should still have something left in the tank.

☆☆☆☆

The CAPITALIST gelding HEDGED was fantastic during the summer period, winning at Sandown on Boxing Day before winning the Australian Stakes at Pakenham. Did well for 3rd to OAK HILL in the Rubiton when never totally clear, then went even better finishing 2nd to TROPICUS in the Gr.1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) on this course and headed late in the Galaxy. Two jumpouts have been positive for a strong fresh up performer. 

☆☆☆

BEAST MODE won two at Moonee Valley last spring before placing twice at Caulfield with spread out starts. Good return for a 2nd behind BAZABALL REWARDED here at Sandown but the pattern was against in the Monash and couldn't go on with it. Went up to Sydney and only collared at the 50m by PRIMA BELLA to wind up in 3rd place so appears much sharper now and the Hayes will have him ripe to go for it. Should be better suited to this Sandown track and might be able to gain a break on them turning in as a naturally fast sprinter.

OPEN HANDICAP
RACE - 1500m

DUCHESS ZOU / CRAIG / RUN HARRY RUN

DUCHESS ZOU won here in May controlling the race from 300m and went on win at Flemington over 1400m finding plenty with a good ride. Went forward to lead from a wide gate and fought hard for 3rd followed by a bounce back victory in the Lelani Final hitting the line strongly cruising three wide from the turn. Slow and no cover at Caulfield last start, and an easy forgive so willing to suggest the Maher-trained ZOUSTAR can deliver once again with a kinder run in transit.

We may stick with CRAIG here after just the one run back, and although he did little in the two spring r returning from an extended injury layoff, we know the ability is there if able to regain to his best form. The TERRITORIES gelding was stunning as a three-year-old in 2024 and finished 2nd to ANTINO in the Toorak and 2nd in the Sandown Stakes here, as well as three tidy wins. One more chance up in trip and should improve into this but plenty of inherent risk associated.

RUN HARRY RUN only just scraped home over 1500m at Rosehill last start and we weren't sure regarding all the hype over this guy coming off a Mildura Cup win. Regardless, this WRITTEN TYCOON gelding is bred to be handy and he did trial up a treat before resuming with that hard fought victory in a decent quality field and should strip even fitter. If he is as good as the Hayes reckon then most certainly in this battle as well but not quite 100% convinced just yet.

QUALITY HANDICAP
RACE - 2400m

NEARCO FROD / THINK GIANT / TEMPESTI

NEARCO FROD, a progressive stayer under the training of Team McEvoy, secured two victories over 2400m at Sandown in July, demonstrating a notable affinity for this particular course.Went forward and drew clear over 2520m at Flemington last start and just seems to have reached that staying level you would expect from a Melbourne Cup winning stable. Whatever they are doing is working a treat as he has improved gradually at each juncture and stepped up to the mark.

THINK GIANT is a four-year-old imported LOPE DE VEGAS gelding bred to be a strong staying type and he did win the Fasquel Stakes at Chantilly so holds some future promise. Trialed up well with two Cranbourne wins before hitting the line late at Caulfield over the 1700m. Three wide without cover up to the 2000m at Flemington last start and did well for 4th to ST GEORGE trying hard right to the line. Up in trip for the Price/Kent Jnr team and thid looks the go.

Not sure what to make of this Stakes winning Italian import TEMPESTI who looks an out and out grinder but is yet to win one in Australia. Finished 3rd to ANY LUCK at Warrnambool over 2350m, then 4th in the Sandown Cup (3200m) held up, but still outkicked to the line. Tried hard driving for 3rd over 2800m at Flemington and just didn't seem to enjoy the Good 4 track last start. Rain is good and should be pretty hard fit by now. Rough chance to make up the numbers.

BENCHMARK 88 HANDICAP
RACE - 1300m

TENNESSEE BOUND / GOLD COAST BELLE / PIASTRI

It is easy to rave about TENNESSEE BOUND who has won all six career starts and the unbeaten run can continue while Maher brings this stunning WRITTEN TYCOON mare through the grades. Classy return to win over 1000m at Caulfield before leading all the way here at Sandown over the 1200m. Got into a two horse war with BEHAVIOUR last start at Caulfield and kept going soundly to score over a pretty good galloper. Hard to go past while in this vein of form and looks the one again, although the 1300m will be a good test.

John Wheeler owns the SO YOU THINK mare GOLD COAST BELLE who has won four from the last five and now has an opportunity to take it to the next level during this campaign. The Danny O'Brien-trained mare broke her maiden at Seymour in February followed by an easy win over 1400m at Sandown. Controlled the race and won easily at Caulfield, then fought hard to claim the 3YO Bendigo Guineas in March. She is beautifully bred and is yet to finish any further back than second in all six starts so just has to be given a chance.

PIASTRI performed admirably from the prime starting position at Caulfield in the previous race, but was overtaken in the final stages after being challenged at the 250-metre mark. This was in stark contrast to the preceding race at Flemington, where the horse demonstrated a strong finish, accelerating effectively under the guidance of jockey Craig Williams. While this he presents a challenge to predict and is more suited to the Caulfield track, he is a notable CHOISIR gelding trained by Maher who exhibits resilience at best.