LORD MAYORS CUP (L)

RACE 9 - 2000m

MAISON LOUIS / YOU WAHNG / DOCTOR ASKAR

Last years Queensland Derby winner MAISON LOUIS was jagged back from a wide gate at Randwick last start and the SUPER SETH gelding was held up from the 400-200m off an unsuitable tempo, so an easy forgive at the 1500m distance. Better off here for trainer Tom Charlton as he is a fine stayer capable of taking it to the next level. Won the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) 12 months ago and proved tough as old boots that day. Beat result since was a 3rd to LINDERMANN in the Gr.2 Hill Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill so don't underestimate his ability. Should be good to go 3rd-up.

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Suspecting trainer Kris Lee used the run in WFA The Wave (1800m) as a warm up act for YOU WAHNG aimed towards this race and stretching out in trip should suit much better for the Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) winner. The mare, by the powerful staying sire SO YOU THINK, demonstrated a late surge in her previous outing and with two races now under her belt is anticipated to be in peak condition as she competes over a longer distance. Did run 3rd to TREASURETHE MOMENT in the Gr.1 ATC Oaks at Randwick last April so a fairly underrated type. Be very wary here as some serious galloping ability lies beneath.

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Might allow the ex-Kiwi DOCTOR ASKAR a decent chance in this if the track comes up soft or worse as he did prove himself a highly competitive galloper across in New Zealand and Waller willing be hoping for a sweeter run in transit after two difficult wide runs at Caulfield and Gosford. Won the Easter Handicap at Ellerslie over a year ago, and claimed the Gr.2 Thorndon Mile before setting sail abroad. Just have a sneaky feeling Waller will find the secret to this DERRYN gelding and get him back on track.

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BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP

RACE 6 - 1500m

HORIZONS / MAN OF WORTH / I AM CARROT

HORIZONS was set for a big first-up performance after two sharp trial wins six weeks apart. Easily opened up a big lead in the first 600m of his 1050m open heat at Rosehill and was never troubled to coast home by almost six lengths from the smart KING OF ROSEAU. Eased abruptly to avoid heels over 1200m at Gosford resuming and never looked likely but worth going again, especially jumping up in trip rapidly.

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Irish-bred maidener MAN OF WORTH only had one run for Waller arriving in the spring of 2024 but turned up after two runs in Sydney to win over 1600m at Randwick on Boxing Day and backed that up with a Warwick Farm mile victory and was simply too good for them. Came back in April and made his own luck to win again over 1250m at Canterbury Park, then trapped out on a limb at Scone last start and gave plenty travelling three wide. The SEA THE STARS gelding may prove too strong if able to get his own way and sure to be well fit.

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I AM CARROT brought up an impressive performance to win on the Randwick Kensington track with a strong midweek display over 1300m. The three-year-old CASTELVECCHIO gelding has posted three wins and two seconds in eight starts for Wyong trainer Nacim Dilmi. Chased hard to prevail over 1300m at Randwick last start, but it is difficult to predict how the horse may measure up against stronger company. Trialed well against some half decent competitors prior to resuming, so may be a more robust animal rocking up here.

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BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP

RACE 4 - 1800m

NOBLER / NASEBAH / OCEANFRONT

NOBLER delivered his first win on Australian turf with a top ride from Tyler Schiller, coming from last on the bend to storm home over the 1600m at Randwick. The AMARON gelding purchased by Blandford Lodge from the 2024 Tattersalls Breeze Up Sale did a similar hatchet job on them at Gosford last start, chasing hard to prevail in the concluding stages. Chris Waller has done a great job developing his talent and the sharp galloper will appreciate going up to the 1800m. Can complete the three-peat.

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Waller may have another exciting imported galloper on his hands with the KINGMAN filly NASEBAH who drop 3.5kg on his last start strong victory over 1800m at the Kenso. Won at Kempton Park over 2122m last October before shifting down under and his trial worked showed enough to suggest the gelding can continue to make an impact. Every chance the stablemates go to war here but he has been heavily supported in the early market and both horses hold plenty of merit. Hard to split.

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The TRAPEZE ARTIST gelding OCEANFRONT transferred from the the Ryan yard to the Nacim Dilmi stable last August and achieved a series of victories beginning in October when winning over 1850m at Newcastle before drawing clear over 1890m there in the next. Proved too good over 1800m at Randwick to make it a hat-trick of wins in a Midway followed by a difficult run when hampered over 2000m at Kembla and he overraced at various stages. Two runs back from a spell and looks ready to show something now after a strong trial win.

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BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP

RACE 8 - 1200m

THAMES / SEQUISTA / SUPER NORWEST

The LONHRO mare THAMES from Gary Portelli's barn came across heels at the 250m to win well in the mare race over 1250m at Randwick last start and Zac Lloyd did well to get her into a winning position. She has always promised a bit, finishing 2nd at Caulfield and Mornington last Autumn, and unlucky when 3rd in the Listed Denise Joy (1100m) last year, badly unbalanced on the home turn but arriving late from the back when a split came at the 200m mark. Nice odds.

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SEQUISTA is a seriously talented three-year-old filly aiming to recapture her best which we witnessed over the Christmas period. Broke her maiden for the Ryan/Alexiou team at Gosford in December, followed by a 3rd at Randwick over 1300m when stalking the winner. Bounced back arriving on the line to win over that trip at Wyong and appreciated the firm footing. Resumed at Scone in the Denise Joy and ran on well from an outside barrier. Second up could be the go, so well worth pursuing.

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We've always had plenty of time for this Matty Dale trained RICH ENUFF mare SUPER NORWEST and her strikerate suggests she can bounce back from some indifferent form this year. Kept finding from the front when forced forward to win over 1200m at Randwick in January, following a nice run to win there when simply too good for them. Hooked out four wide in the Gr.3 Triscay and couldn't go on with it when slow away in the Gr.2 Millie Fox, with not enough pace on to assist. Raced wide at Wagga last start, so willing to allow another chance.

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BEST BET: NASEBAH

NEXT BEST: SEQUISTA

BEST VALUE: HORIZONS

WILDCARD: MAISON LOUIS