CRANBOURNE CUP (L)

RACE 8 - 1600m

WARNIE / SABAJ / ST LAWRENCE

WARNIE came out won the Gr.2 Damien Oliver (1400m) on Derby Day at Flemington last start, so up to the mile limely to appreciate a fair bit of speed generated early, which this race often produces. WARNIE is a solid imported sprinter for Ciaron Maher and the HIGHLAND REEL gelding hasn't quite been at his best until recently. His owner believed he could have given the Stradbroke a shake after he flew home in the G2 Moreton Cup. Although good in that, appeared a little underwhelming when 4th and 5th at Ipswich and the Sunny. WARNIE was purchased from a sale in Ireland and he had his first start in a two-year-old race at Royal Ascot in 2023 when James McDonald rode him. Improved in the two prior, held up at Flemington when 4th in the Paris Lane (1400m), then peaked late in the Gr.3 Moonga when 2nd at Caulfield behind PRIVATE EYE. Should be bang on now coming off that fine victory.

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SABAJ emerged victorious with a commanding performance over the mile at Flemington in its most recent outing, showcasing exceptional talent and potential. Sat back and watched it all unfold before building momentum coming wide from the 600m. He distanced himself from the competition in the final 100 meters, affirming our belief that this MANHATTAN RAIN gelding, trained on this course by the Price/Kent Jnr team, is going places. Couldn't reel in GALA QUEEN in the Morphettville Guineas in his 3yo season, before another 2nd to RESERVE BANK in the Gr.2 Tobin Bronze (1200m), but appears more mature at this juncture, and a fair bit wiser. Top chance, even from this wide alley.

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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) last start, 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.

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THE METEORITE

RACE 9 - 1200m

NADAL / JIGSAW / STRETAN ANGEL

Ciaron Maher concedes his charge NADAL will need to improve lengths to defend his Meteorite crown after a poor effort in the Listed Fisher Stakes (1200m) at Flemington, but circumstances conspired against the electric sprinter. Failed to score any cover and the gelding didn't expect to be facing such Heavy conditions. Nadal exploded to win the Meteorite last year with a devastating turn of foot to defeat REY MAGNERIO and subsequent G1 winner BARAQUIEL. Nadal then finished midfield in The Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham, the second in the inaugural Victorian slot race innovation. Knee issues forced Nadal to miss the best part of nine months, however, Nadal resumed with a solid fifth placing in the Gr.2 Herald Sun Sprint (1000m) at Caulfield on a Good 3 rated surface. Will need to turn things around, but proven here and just the type to go large. Last years win was nothing short of stunning, so ignore the wide draw.

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Trainer Cindy Alderson and jockey Logan Bates achieved a major success at The Valley, as their entry, JIGSAW secured victory in the Gr.2 McEwen Stakes (1200m) last start. JIGSAW has returned to form this campaign, as his win in the Apache Cat Classic at Cranbourne at the previous run was his first for two-and-a-half years. It was Jigsaw's second triumph in a G2 race at The Valley after he also won the Australia Stakes in January 2023, while it also gifted him a slot in the $1 million The Meteorite. The seven-year-old son of MANHATTAN RAIN is a quirky horse but skipped clear on the turn in the McEwen, and proved he can still be a hot-footed sprinter when he wants to. Returning to this track should prove ideal and will go for it early and attempt to smash them into the turf.

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STRETAN ANGEL is another class sprinter who needs to improve their performance. The HARRY ANGEL mare trained by Phillip Stokes at Morphettville did finish second in the Black Caviar Lightning, third in the Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap and fourth in the Gr.1 William Reid Stakes, so there is some serious ability about her. Wide and back resuming in the Gilgai Stakes, dropping out from the 400m, then took over late with a massive effort to win the Listed Alinghi (1100m) after driving home wide from the rear. Shaken up in the Gr.3 Ichiban sprint at Flemington last start, and loomed up to them but just unable to keep pace, peaking at the 150m. This course should suit as another that would prefer a hot pace to feed off. Right in the fight with a few breaks going her way.

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THE LESTER HANDICAP

RACE 6 - 2025m

SHOCKLETZ / HURRY CURRY / HOWLIN’ RAIN

It was a tough watch last start when SHOCKLETZ was trapped on the inside with nowhere to go with Harry Coffey forced along the rails and she wasn't happy in tight quarters. Still finished off strongly and has to be given serious respect here as a brillant stayer on her day. Has run up over 2000m in the past, and tracking just off the speed should work home with real purpose. The SHOCKING mare trained by Maher at Moss Vale won over 2000m at Flemington in June, then outkicked there for 2nd at the same trip, before getting up in the final strides over 2500m. Kept going strongly to win over the mile at Sandown in October and held them all at bay with a tenacious effort. Can bounce back with a vengeance 3rd up and that was the formula that worked here 12 months ago. Too good to ignore.

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You may want a succulent hot curry on this bloke if he comes through on the day, and we believe this OCEAN PARK mare HURRY CURRY has plenty of spice to serve up. Won her maiden at Bairnsdale in 2024 over 1600m with a strong effort. She then stepped up to a higher calibre of competitor at Flemington later in the month over 1800m and took over at the 300m mark to pull away and win comfortably. After a rest period HURRY CURRY then took on a G3 field, before a fine 3rd to TREASURETHE MOMENT in the Gr.1 VRC Oaks. Third over the mile at the Valley last start, and kept coming. With Mark Chittick in the ownership group, and Danny O'Brien in charge of the mare, the result could be hotter then a steaming vindaloo.

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Logan Bates will jump aboard the topweight HOWLIN’ RAIN who came out and won the Moe Cup (2050m) at the latest after making good ground for 3rd at Mornington the run prior. The Cindy Alderson trained FIORENTE mare charged to the front when victorious over 2040m at Moonee Valley last December, then drove to the lead and held on at 1600m on the same track resuming in February. Only a few runs inbetween, however looks to be returning to some useful form and drawn to gain a fairly soft run with some cover. Very good horse on her day but can be hard to catch. Can get into the money.

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FILLIES & MARES PENDANT

RACE 4 - 1400m

GUMDROPS / AHHA AHHA / KEEP YOUR COOL

Best to refer to GUMDROPS run in the Gr.2 Dane Ripper (1100m) at Eagle Farm back in June, where the erratic WRITTEN TYCOON mare gave all for 4th on a firm deck. Changed from the Price/Kent yard to Chris Waller in late 2024 in the hope of reaching her full potential, although she seems a tough nut to crack and has only performed to her optimum on the Valley track when winning the Gr.3 Typhoon Tracy and Crockett Stakes. Considering her dam, SUGAR BELLA, achieved six wins from nine starts, her daughter has demonstrated a slightly greater level of performance running 2nd in the last two at the Gold Coast, then the Gr.3 Plume Stakes behind the well-performed SHE'S BULLETPROOF.

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AHHA AHHA has won two of her nine starts to date, and trainer Clinton McDonald believes the mare only now realises what this racing gig is about. The four-year-old broke her maiden status at Cranbourne in April and three starts later, at Sandown, saw her successful over TERRILEE. That race set up well for AHHA AHHA, who appreciated the solid tempo. The daughter of sire STARSPANGLEDBANNER finished 2nd at Cranbourne, then revved up late for 3rd over 1400m at Caulfield. Dashed clear at the 150m over that trip at Sandown before a decent spell. Held up from the turn to the 150m 2nd-up over 1300m at Bendigo last start, but hit the line well for 4th, so should only improve into this with added experience.

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KEEP YOUR COOL is right in this contest and this DEEP FIELD mare was ro k solid in the middle of the year before resuming with 3rd at Moonee Valley over 1200m, before chasing hard to catch the leaders over 1400m at Caulfield. Held up at 200m going back to Caulfield and tried hard when getting the split running home strongly in behind NDOLA. Leveled up at the 300m over the mile at Flemington, but was overhauled late in what was a tough run by the Maher-trained mare. Comes back to the 1400m which suits better, Ethan Brown on, looks a top player.

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SHOOTING STARS (CLASS 3)

RACE 5 - 1500m SW

ASTRAL FLAME / YES I KNOW / BIG SEXY

ASTRAL FLAME could be a tough one to roll here over this distance if you can forgive that last poor run at Pakenham on a Heavy 8 surface. Kicked away late over 1300m at Geelong on a better track, but Enver Jusufovic hasn't pressured the OVERSHARE mare too much this prep and she should arrive here in firm condition. In super form earlier in the year, with two runner-up slots at Pakenham and Cranbourne over 1400m and a win at Cranbourne over 1200m. Home course makes her a big player on Saturday.

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Anthony & Sam Freedman stand a chance with their SO YOU THINK gelding YES I KNOW who hasn't really been pressured early in his three run career, but offers some potential at the trip. Beaten by the draw when finishing 2nd on debut over 1400m at Sale in May, then rolled forward before hitting the lead at the 100m when breaking his maiden over 1512m at Geelong. Sat off the pace on a Heavy 8 at Geelong, before coming around and just kept coming to win with a well-timed ride by Stackhouse. Three strong trials to prepare, with this sturdy bred gelding likely to be well forward to resume.

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BIG SEXY will have Ethan Brown aboard and this four-year-old SWEAR gelding is in nice touch at present. Won over 1200m on his home track of Warrnambool in March, but returned a much stronger horse, drawing well clear over 1100m at Hamilton, then forged towards the line before changing stride late and winding up in 2nd place over 1400m at Bendigo. Looked dangerous when shaken up at the 400m at Flemington last start, only to weaken the final bit over the mile. Appears better suited here and drawn to give this a serious shove.

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BENCHMARK 80 HANDICAP

RACE 7 - 1200m

YALDI / STOLLI BOLLI / NAVAL ACADEMY

YALDI tried hard over the 1200m but just couldn't pin back GRANDE GALLO at Tauranga before crossing the Tasman. The ARDROSSAN gelding does possess some serious ability as proven when winning the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) on protest in Dec and 3rd to CHECKMATE and HINEKAHA over 1500m at Ellerslie. Finished 2nd to RISQUE RULER the run prior so has to be a major threat in this. Possibly would appreciate further and likely to be charging home from the back. Good run for 2nd at Bendigo before a brave run for 4th starting the widest down the Flemington straight last time.

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STOLLI BOLLI is a highly effective sprinter from the Hayes Lyndsay Park yard who is closing in on a win after a run of close up finishes. Ran 3rd and 2nd at the Valley in August, before building momentum in two top runs down the Flemington straight, ending up 3rd, then 2nd to DE BERGERAC over 1200m. Chased hard but couldn't reel in NAVAL ACADEMY at Geelong, before angling towards the outside rail when 3rd on the wet track at Flemington on the last day and it was the wrong side of the track. All things being fair, the DEEP FIELD gelding should be winning this with blinkers on first time.

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Ciaron Maher will be seeking back-to-back wins for his JUSTIFY gelding NAVAL ACADEMY after a tidy victory at Geelong ahead of STOLLI BOLLI last start. Faded in a strong field at Flemington, although his overall record is solid witb five wins and three second placings from 14 starts. Came four wide to finish 2nd at Moonee Valley in August then edged out late over 1250m at Morphettville before gaining revenge and winning there with a hang tough effort. Big ask but just needs to find that killer instinct near the line.

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BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP

RACE 1 - 1300m

MADIYYA / STEALTH OF NIGHT / PRINCE TYCOON

The four-year-old SUPER SETH mare MADIYYA could turn our to be a fine competitior and hasn't done much wrong in only four starts. Finished 2nd on debut as a three-year-old, before driving through a small gap on the rails to win over 1400m ar Sale. Drew clear showing serious promise. The Hayes trained mare then did best late to prove victorious at Caulfield and held of a late challenge to win there again stepping up to the mile. Two slick 800m jumpouts to prepare, so expect a dominant first up run as the boys probably feel they can snare this with their progressive mare.

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The Hayes boys will want nothing more then another win from their NIGHT OF THUNDER mare STEALTH OF NIGHT, who drew well clear to claim her maiden victory at Pakenham, before a harder run, but still prevailing there over 1400m next up. Plenty of trial work under the belt, suggesting the team want her as well grounded as possible and the fact she is still learning the necessary ringcraft and has gained more experience then most of these. Took out a 1000m jumpout at Caulfield Heath recently, so possibly ready to fire with seven months away from the track.

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The WRITTEN TYCOON gelding PRINCE TYCOON will get Craig Williams aboard who can steer him to a win 2nd-up after resuming with a fair effort in the Gr.3 Red Anchor at the Valley in October. Kept finding ro wear down the leader late and break his maiden as a two-year-old on debut. Could chase down the tearaway leader when running 2nd to ISTI STAR in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic at the Gold Coast. Put away and locked up for the winter with a serious three-year-old campaign in store. Could be a special one from the Busuttin Young stable, but we need to see again facing a couple of good horses.

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BENCHMARK 74 HANDICAP

RACE 10 - 1000m

HARRY GOT STYLES / CELERITY / CODIGO

It's hard not to like HARRY GOT STYLES as a high velocity HARRY ANGEL gelding who can really turn in up late in a race over the short course trip. Sadly, been off the boil lately, but prior form was strong and his game 2nd at Flemington when gunned down late by LOSESOMEWINMORE was quite an impressive effort. Hasn't scored an easy time of late, being held up and trapped in tight quarters a few times, so what we need to see is HARRY shifting gears with some room to move. These odds suit just fine, although some serious faith required and possibility, a touch of luck.

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CELERITY is a lightly raced mare who has a nice professional feel about her. The EXCEED AND EXCEL mare trained by James Cummings on behalf of the powerhouse Godolphin stable, is out of a TESTA ROSSA mare in ELLCIAZOOM and Kia Ora Stud paid $450,000 for the broodmare. Her daughter CELERITY won two jumpouts before finishing 2nd on debut, only nailed late. Won her maiden in the next at Hawkesbury, then chased hard for 2nd after being hampered over 1100m at Randwick in July. Beware these blue silks fresh up, as she just may fire and surprise the lot.

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Underestimate an ARDROSSAN gelding and you may get burnt, and this one CODIGO appears a handy type with plenty of upside. The Moody/Coleman trained gelding won the Listed Wellesley Stakes at Trentham in 2023 before coming across the ditch and ran some good races. Won over 1000m at Sandown in March, then fought on well to claim victory over 1100m at Flemington, before finishing 2nd there. Last two have been very strong, with two runner-up positions at Pakenham, then Flemington in a handy field. Average draw, but up for this if able to negotiate a slightly tricky gate.

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3YO OPEN HANDICAP

RACE 2 - 1400m

VEGA FOR LUCK / MALDINI / CAFFETTIERA

Willing to forgive ex pat Kiwi VEGA FOR LUCK last start after being squeezed like a lemon and smashed out of it at Flemington, and these odds are too high in our opinion. Got going again once free and ran on strongly, so the 1400m should suit in this smaller field. Ran 3rd in the 2YO Karaka Millions earlier in the year and the LUCKY VEGA colt has looked much stronger when 2nd to ESTREMO in the Guineas Prelude at Caulfield, and chased hard coming three wide to begin his prep. Handles the weight with a clean run, then right in this.

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The Moody/Coleman stable bring MALDINI back to the races, and the TOO DARN HOT gelding has displayed enough to be competitive here, especially after some difficult runs. Raced three wide when winning a two-year-old maiden at Pakenham in April, then held up for clear running in the ANZAC Day Stakes at Flemington. Held up for a stretch when 2nd resuming at Seymour, before runner-up at Moe over 1200m after racing three wide without cover throughout. Trapped wide once again in his last start at Pakenham and finished 3rd, so it would be nice to see what he could achieve with a sweet, soft run in transit.

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CAFFETTIERA is an interesting TOO DARN HOT filly who came out and won at her second start and will have the services of Craig Williams on Saturday. The Anthony and Sam Freedman trained filly tried hard right to the line when 3rd over 1140m on debut at Geelong, before putting her nose in front at the top of the straight at Mornington and fighting hard to hold them all at bay. Jumps from the ace and it will be up to Willo to balance her up and keep something in reserve with easy early sectionals before pushing to the line. Can place.

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BEST BET: SHOCKLETZ

NEXT BEST: GUMDROPS

BEST VALUE: WARNIE

WILDCARD: STRETAN ANGEL