THE HUNTER G2

RACE 8 - 1300m

IOWNA MERC / YORKSHIRE / OSTRAKA

IOWNA MERC has truly blossomed this preparation period and has fulfilled the early promise of being a remarkably talented horse. After a number of in-and-out type performances for Bjorn Baker, the WINNING RUPERT gelding won a sprint at Randwick before taking out the Listed Canterbury Sprint. Finished 2nd to WILLAIDOW in the Gr.3 Southern Cross at Rosehill and subsequent runner-up in the Gr.2 Expressway at Randwick behind MAGIC TIME, but beating JOLIESTAR home. Won a headbobber in the Gr.3 Liverpool City Cup and just kept finding, before a perfect run to win the Gr.2 Ajax (1500m) at Rosehill. Too much to do in the Doncaster, although the 2nd-up effort as runner-up in the Gr.3 Sydney Stakes was a bold effort. Forget last start in the Russell BALDING when checked off heels forcing the rider to take evasive action. Can win this at good odds as Baker has been singing his praises of late.

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YORKSHIRE toyed with the opposition when last seen, and came across as a real star on the rise. The high class SNITZEL gelding ran a strong second behind ACCREDITED at Randwick after becoming crowded at the 1000m, forced to chase hard from the turn. Raced away at Wyong over 1350m in an impressive sprinting display, then chased hard to lead and prevail at Rosehill over 1500m, before winning at Randwick over 1600m in Feb. The O'Shea/Charlton team have carefully guided their charge without placing too much pressure in him early in his career. They forked out $575,000 in 2022 as a colt and he is well bred through strong US maternal lines. Fresh up can probably give this a real go if able to drift forward early without too much pressure.

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The Annabel and Rob Archibald trained OSTRAKA was disappointed for a run in the Sydney Stakes and never really found a clear path last start, so we won't be holding that against the PARIAH gelding. He had trialled up well at Randwick, getting ahead of CABALLUS and the run prior was up against the likes of JOLIESTAR and BRIASA. Best to refer to his effort in the Gr.3 Concorde to begin the spring prep when run down by HEADWALL and LADY SHENANDOAH in a bold effort over 1000m after finding the front at the 120m mark. An ultra consistent sprinter, OSTRAKA was a standout this time last year when winning over 1200m at Randwick, before taking out the Gr.3 Silver Eagle ahead of WAR MACHINE with Shinn aboard. Talented enough to win this and odds are overs.

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NJC SPRING STAKES G3

RACE 7 - 1600m 3YO

VERITY / ROSA INCANTA / GREEN SPACES

The Messara-Gavranich training partnership are taking on Group company here with VERITY, who could be an ATC Oaks contender in the Autumn. Produced a brilliant fast finishing win in a Muswellbrook Maiden in October, coming from clear last to power home down the straight. The Arrowfield filly wearing the stud colours of AUTUMN GLOW, which produced another freakish win on the same day, VERITY was first past the post in a Class 1 1600m Handicap at Newcastle. Eased back to last, the filly loomed up at the 100m to take the lead in the shadows of the post. By THE AUTUMN SUN from a USA mare, MANTRA OF LIFE (Dubawi), she appears a talented type with a fair bit of potential. Can go on with it here sticking to the mile on this course and she is an absolute stunner in looks alone.

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The Gai/Bott team have a super progressive type in the PER INCANTO filly ROSA INCANTA, who won here at Newcastle in fine style last start after racing on the speed over 1300m. Trial form has shown more than enough after finishing 5th on debut at Rosehill and looks to have come on a treat. She is out of a NZ bred mare LATIN ROSE by MASTERCRAFTSMAN who was Stakes placed. Drawn to get amongst it early with Tim Clark hopping on for the first time. Some faith required, but stable too good to ignore and capable of running a bold mile if able to squeeze out some soft early sectionals.

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The STREET BOSS colt GREEN SPACES is another Godolphin runner formerly with Cumming, who Bjorn Baker took charge of after winning a two-year-old maiden at Geelong. His dam, the Sheikh Mohammed owned OUTDOOR (Redoute’s Choice) won three, with her mother, SERENADE ROSE (Stravinsky) a brilliant racemare who won the Gr.1 AJC Oaks, VRC Oaks, 1000 Guineas and Arrowfield. GREEN SPACES warmed up resuming for Baker with a 4th at Hawkesbury over 1300m, before coming home strongly to win over 1625m at Wyong after finding a way off the rail. Certainly will need to find a bit more up against a couple of nice three-year-olds, but he offers plenty of promise.

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THE BEAUFORT (L)

RACE 9 - 2300m

MAISON LOUIS / ASTERIX / GOD’S WINDOW

The SUPER SETH gelding MAISON LOUIS out of the O'Shea/Charlton stable is one horse with a ton of potential and the Sydney based gelding has showed more then enough in only ten starts, ultimately winning four including the Queensland Derby (2400m) in fine style to finish his 3YO campaign. Won over the mile at Goulburn before chasing hard to win again over 1900m at Canterbury Park. Didn't score the beat run in the Gr.3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m) at Doomben, but will appreciate the trip after the resuming run in the Gr.2 Shannon Stakes at Rosehill, then put in a big effort for 3rd in the Hill Stakes. Didn't have an easy time of it four wide in the Rosehill Cup last time, but he's got a fine kick and just needs to find a soft trail to open up late. This race looks the perfect placement.

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Waller may have finally found the right formula with the ex-pat Kiwi ASTERIX, who looked a top Cup horse in New Zealand when winning the Gr.2 Avondale Cup (2400m) in majestic fashion. Didn't run for over a year before taking on high class gallopers across the ditch with little success, although the TAVISTOCK gelding kept chasing and wasn't embarrassed in Stakes company, before a shocker in the Tancred. Ridden conservatively last start after facing two Good 3 tracks in Sydney and did well to run on for 5th in the St Leger (2600m) when finally clear at the 220m. Trialed since and really only needs to relax and settle into a nice tempo before finding a way to the line with purpose.

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We know Chris Waller is pleased with the progress of his DUBAWI gelding GOD’S WINDOW, who scored no favours last start, but the run was better then it looked. The well-bred gelding was multiple times Stakes placed in the UK, before finding his way down under. Consistent without being spectacular in Sydney, then chased hard for 2nd behind STATE OF AMERICA over 2000m at Rosehill. Trapped four wide in the Bendigo Cup (2400m), although forget that run, as building towards a big winning effort and a serious threat at this trip.

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MAX LEE CLASSIC

RACE 1 - 900m

TENEBAUM / ELIO / EURIPEDES

Brad Widdup trains the SNITZEL colt TENEBAUM at Hawkesbury, and based on his two jumpout wins, may have a fair amount of ability. Most notably, his dam, C'EST BEAU LA VIE is a Listed winning South Australian mare by BERNARDINI from the 8 from 16 race winner VALKYRIE DIVA, a half-sister to the legendary MAKYBE DIVA. A well-related full brother to Hong Kong Derby winner, CAP FERRAT, the colt delivered an impressive trial performance at Rosehill over 900m, backing up a strong heat win at Hawkesbury in October stretching out stylishly. TENEBAUM was a $750,000 purchase from the Arrowfield Stud draft at this year’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.

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ELIO is a two-year-old colt by the sire OLE KIRK. The name "Ole Kirk" by itself most notably refers to Ole Kirk Christiansen (1891–1958), the Danish carpenter who founded the LEGO Group. The dam ICONISTA was a lightly raced Queensland mare by DENMAN out of the BEL ESPRIT mare, BELCENTRA. The Gai/Bott team paid $250,000 for the colt at the Classic Yealing Sale. ELIO finished 2nd in his only public jumpout, but should have plenty of speed to burn with this Forumla One pedigree.

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EURIPEDES, from the Bjorn Baker barn was runner-up 0.9L to TENEBAUM at the Rosehill trials and appears a talented young juvenile. The STREET BOSS colt is from the mare, MANICURE by EXCEED AND EXCEL, out of LONHRO's top class daughter, TRIM. Trim is a sister to STUBBORN who is the dam of that mighty West Australian warrior GATTING the winner of the Gr.3 Lee Steere Stakes and WATC West Australian Derby and earner of $1.3 million. The mother won the Gr.3 How Now Stakes and Listed Magic Millions Nudgee Stakes and was multiple times Stakes placed, so this pedigree is deep with high quality performers.

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BENCHMARK 94 HANDICAP

RACE 10 - 1300m

MAYFAIR / JUNQUEIRA / MARE OF MT BULLER

Throwing out a few here at odds and MAYFAIR is a good horse from the Bjorn Baker barn who will need some luck from the draw. The four-year-old FASTNET ROCK gelding did run 3rd in the Gr.1 Golden Rose (1400m) last year and was right on his game as a slick horse. Finished 2nd at Doomben in May, then chased well for 3rd behind LINEBACKER when finally clear in the Gr.3 Silver Eagle. Couldn't keep up in AUTUMN GLOW'S Golden Eagle, but been running in hot company and not many here have faced these type of competitors lately. Keep safe.

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Have a soft spot for the O'Shea/Charlton trained JUNQUEIRA who is a daughter of CAPITALIST and quite talented at best. Won at Canterbury Park in February, then went well for 3rd in the Gr.3 Wenona Girl Quality (1200m) at Randwick. One run back in September then back to the trials where the team prefer to prep her. Hard to say if the mare has the killer punch required to take control here, although you can't rule out this training team who can get them up when you least expect it.

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MARE OF MT BULLER is coming back and may require much more racing, however she is a strong DUNDEEL mare who hit a nice patch of form last prep for team Waller. Finished 2nd in the Gr.3 Aspiration before winning the Gr.3 Epona Stakes (1900m) at Randwick. Held her form to run 3rd in The Coast at Gosford (1600m) but offered little in the next two. Not a noted first up performer, although not completely out of this as Waller suggested she has come up well and a stronger girl.

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TRANS-TASMAN TROPHY BM88

RACE 6 - 1850m

KIND WORDS / HOLLYWOOD HERO / BELLE DETELLE

The Kris Lee trained KIND WORDS gets his chance to shine on her home course and will be a bit underrated here. The WRITTEN TYCOON mare went north and ran well to finish 3rd in the Listed Tattersalls Gold Crown (2100m) at Eagle Farm in June, then resumed with a tidy 3rd at Kensington over 1400m. Run down by INQUIRING MINDS over 1800m at Rosehill last start, but likely to strip much fitter 3rd up and can give this a real shove with Tim Clark aboard. Willing to take the risk and say she goes very well at this trip.

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Baker stated his charge HOLLYWOOD HERO was looking in top shape, and the SACRED FALLS gelding chased hard fresh up from a wide gate, before a tremendous effort when 2nd to OSIPENKO in the Littke Dance. 33 runs into a solid career for the six-year-old, who finished 2nd over 1800m at Randwick in June. Become unbalanced at the 150m after bumping another runner, so it was a good effort. Won here over the mile in May, and thats potentially the horse we would like to show up here. Fair push from the stable suggests he can run an even bettter race 3rd-up.

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Walker has a nice mare in BELLE DETELLE who he seems to be downplaying here despite building some momentum for 3rd behind ROTOGILLA over 1500m at Randwick last start. The four-year-old ZED mare chased hard to win the Gr.3 Adrian Knox (2000m) at Randwick, then ran a fair 5th behind TREASURETHE MOMENT in the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m). Headed in the QLD Oaks but tried hard and she does have a resolute nature that pushes her on. Could go well at this distance as doesn't need much racing to reach peak. Be silly not to have her in the mix.

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