CHRISTMAS STAKES (L)

RACE 6 - 1200m

AVIATRESS / HEDGED / MARBLE NINE

The Christmas Stakes holds a win-and-in status into the Group one Oakleigh Plate on February 21, and AVIATRESS will be aiming for a slot with a victory here. The SMART MISSILE mare was very good last season, and showed her real potential. The team mapped out an ambitious autumn campaign for AVIATRESS, with the Gr.1 Sangster as the key target, although she failed miserably. Did take out the Listed Matrice Stakes (1200m) in SA, before chasing gamely for 3rd in the Bel Espirt Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield. Just missed in the How Now Stakes when 3rd resuming, but arrived in the final strides to take out the Doveton Stakes last start and appears well primed for this. Tough to beat as a classy sprinter with Craig Williams aboard.

☆☆☆☆

HEDGED is also one of the class sprinters of the field for the Price/Kent Jnr team and cannot be treated lightly after her last few efforts. Good enough to feature in a number of Stakes races throughout his career thus far and still only a five-year-old. The CAPITALIST gelding was hampered when 5th at Moonee Valley off a short break, then solid wide in the Listed Hareeba Stakes at Mornington despite racing a little keenly. Clung on to 2nd behind JIGSAW at Cranbourne after looking the winner, and that horse blitzed them in the McEwen at the Valley. Will need to settle early but has more ability then most.

☆☆☆

The penny seemingly dropped for MARBLE NINE last prep, and after a four month break the gelding resumed at Caulfield with a soft, if not uninspiring return. The now five-year-old won the Santa Ana Sprint Final impressively at Flemington in July, then went on to finish 3rd in the Aurie Handicap at that track. Clearly has a strong association with the Flemington straight, putting 5L on CLEO CAT there over 1100m in June and winning rhe run prior. Some risk involved 2nd-up, although a nice gate here and very talented at best. Has to be in the frame at pretty tidy odds.

☆☆

LORD STAKES (L)

RACE 7 - 1600m

CRAIG / DETONATOR JACK / ST LAWRENCE

The chestnut TERRITORIES gelding CRAIG looked a high class horse in the making for the Busuttin/Young team before bone surgery followed by a wind operation put him on the sideline for over a year. The geldings work has been super strong since resuming with a 7th placing at Caulfield and it was no wonder being so ring rusty. Ran second to ANTINO in the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield in 2024, so his ability is supreme and if on his game can give this a real shake. Drawn well, and well worth the investment coming from this stable.

☆☆☆☆

We didn't mind DETONATOR JACK who incredibly last won when taking out the $1M The Gong at Kembla Grange in November 2023. He did finish 3rd in the Gr.2 Ajax (1500m) behind DEMOCRACY MANIFEST and 2nd in the Gr.3 Hawkesbury Cup behind JUST FOLK to remain relevant, plus a close 2nd in tbe Chester Manifold at Flemington in November when changing stride right on the post. The JAKKALBERRY gelding may very well deliver a commendable performance at some juncture, even though his behaviour is somewhat unpredictable at the best of times, but experience carries him a long way and the inside gate could aide his progress.

☆☆☆

ST LAWRENCE is a strong contender for a significant performance on this course, particularly given the favourable odds. The REDWOOD gelding secured two victories over the mile at Randwick at this time last year and demonstrated promising form at a recent trial on his home course prior to resumption. Only fair in a number of runs inbetween, although not the worst in the Gr.2 Damien Oliver (1400m), edging closer for 7th when it all got a bit tight down the final stretch. Plenty of inherent risk involved, but we like this seven-year-old Bedggood trained gelding and are willing to suggest, if a big run is coming, it may be now or never.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP

RACE 1 - 1600m

THE MEAN FIDDLER / WRIGLEY FIELD / ZEBRA FINCH

How many trials do you need to get into a horse before taking it to the races? In the case of the Payne's with their three-year-old HIGHLAND REEL gelding THE MEAN FIDDLER, 14 seems about right for a thorough education. Finally they debuted this horse at Traralgon over 1430m, and he made a mess of them drawing well clear from the turn and being eased down the last 75m with plenty in hand. That was a month ago, with another soft trial since to keep him up to the mark. Could dish it up big time once again and has some serious ability that's for sure. Short odds with Egan on, but looks worthy of going back-to-back.

☆☆☆☆

WRIGLEY FIELD is a nice type from the McEvoy yard who can win this if the favourite does a few things wrong as his formline reads very well in only five raceday starts. The three-year-old DOUBTLAND gelding won at Swan Hill in September, then gained the upper hand two runs later when victorious over 1400m at Ballarat in early November. Circled five wide reauming over that same trip on that course and did very well for 3rd after being trapped out on a limb for most of the race. These odds suit nicely and a major threat to the fave.

☆☆☆

The EXCEED AND EXCEL colt ZEBRA FINCH finished 2nd in that WRIGLEY FIELD race, but was outkicked late by the leader. Has struck form though and with the Ciaron Maher polish on, another top performance is on the cards. Not bad in his two-year-old Autumn campaign, finished 4th at Warwick Farm and 3rd at Hawkesbury before having a crack in the $1M JJ Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm and finding it a bit rich for his liking. Gets his chance here with Williams aboard, but the awkward draw won't make it easy.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP

RACE 8 - 1400m

ATTAIN / MOMETZ / STEALTH OF NIGHT

Top betting race in the last with plenty of value on offer if you're willing to dig a little deeper. The Gavin Bedggood trained ATTAIN wasn't too far off them when 4th here over 1200m last start, and the OUTREACH gelding did win a couple last prep at Pakenham and Cranbourne but saw a fair amount of racing. Definitely not the easiest horse to catch, although the 2kg claim a bonus and Bates should be able to find some cover from this draw.

☆☆☆

Really like the look of this PIERRO gelding MOMETZ from the Moody/Coleman barn and he could be in with a good shot at this. Went ok last prep, with a win over 1400m at Cranbourne and a 3rd at Flemington before battling away just in behind in the next three runs. Trialed up well before a 3rd over 1200m at Pakenham resuming, then took the split and drove through to claim a nice victory over 1400m on his favoured Cranbourne track. Not the kindest draw, but on the right trajectory.

☆☆☆

The Hayes will saddle up the likely fave in STEALTH BY NIGHT here and the NIGHT OF THUNDER mare has been a model of consistency to begin her career. Won two at Pakenham while in her three-year-old Autumn prep, then bloused it in the line when 2nd over 1300m at Cranbourne. Rectified that error by challenging wider from the 300m here at Sandown Lakeside, edging clear in the final strides. Overcomes this gate with Williams riding then a major player who can win the last.

☆☆