W.J MCKELL CUP (L)

RACE 9 - 2000m

TOWNSEND / GLORY DAYS / TOURISTIC

Willing to take a risk on the Gai/Bott trained DUNDEEL gelding TOWNSEND who hasn't been the luckiest horse in his career but holds a powerful punch when right. He was off the scene for over a year before resuming in Oct 2024 and immediately made an impact. Won at Newcastle 2nd up before a brave 3rd in the Listed ATC Cup (2000m) at Rosehill. Faced the breeze and no luck returning in April, then a poor race pattern screwed him at Gosford. Jockey took a sit outside the leader at Flemington last start, and that wasn't ideal either. A calm ride by Costin from a tidy gate could be the solution and expecting a powerful display here.

☆☆☆☆

GLORY DAZE, the imported gelding from the Ciaron Maher stable did little in the spring, but returned in fine order and stepped it up over 2000m on a very Heavy at Randwick, winning with a sound, sustained run. The COTAI GLORY stayer has been impressive at times is Sydney Benchmark Handicaps but isn't always the most reliable if not ridden in the correct manner. Ashley Morgan now takes the reins and she will need to provide a firm hand. A midfield sit from this draw should allow for him to build up revs and challenge hard on straightening. Fit enough with nearly a month between runs.

☆☆☆

Forget the last start effort by TOURISTIC and go on the impressive victory in the Lord Mayor's Cup (2000m) at Randwick the run prior. Restrained and checked off heels in the Winter Cup at Rosehill, left with too much to do in the latter stages and forced too far back early. Very strong this time last year when finishing 2nd in this race after being a clear last. Went on to run 2nd in the Grafton Cup (2350m) at the very next start and no matter the conditions, he always looks a chance in these type of staying events.

☆☆

STAYERS CUP BM90

RACE 7 - 2400m

DON DIEGO DA VEGA / CASUAL CONNECTION / CORMAC T

The LOPE DE VEGA gelding DON DIEGO DA VEGA has really underperformed for over a year, but we anticipate a return to peak condition soon. Sound when 4th in the Listed Mayors Cup (2000m) at Rosehill before finding late over 2400m in the Listed Winter CUP two weeks ago. Finished 2nd at Rosehill twelve months ago over 1800m after being gelded, then kept finding to win over the same trip at Randwick. Didn't return well in two runs, then spelled again until May. Could be an exciting stayer in the making, but will needs to show his real ability some time soon. Also nominated at Eagle Farm.

☆☆☆☆

The New Zealand-bred CASUAL CONNECTION has performed exceptionally well over distance in recent races, and trainer John Sargent will ensure the horse is in top condition for this upcoming race. The COMPLACENT gelding made his own luck when winning over 2400m at Randwick before a tough run for 2nd over the same trip at Kensington last start, but he was gritty to the line Had a crack at the Brisbane Cup 12 months ago, however this seems a more suitable level after another trip around the sun.

☆☆☆

We recommend including the imported gelding CORMAC T who was running some powerful races before clipping heels and blundering badly at the 200m last start. Prior form rock solid when winning at Scone over 1700m before battling hard for 3rd over 1800m at Rosehill. Won over this distance at Eagle Farm before Xmas and really needs firm footing to excel. Fit and only needs a sweet trip to be running on late. Certainly bred to stay and the stable have been building the gelding towards a strong effort over ground. Wise to include in all multiples.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 88 HCP

RACE 6 - 1500m

STEP ASIDE / THUNDERLIPS / TESTATOR SILENS

Chris Waller will hopefully line up STEP ASIDE here, and the REDWOOD gelding has looked extra sharp this prep with some strong displays of power. Loves it at Rosehill and raced away to win over 1300m in Feb, then chased hard coming across heels at the 300m to arrive in the final stages over 1200m at Randwick. Held up from the turn to the 200m over 1400m at Sandown and eventually scored the split to run into 3rd. Will be in pristine condition and drawn to score a soft trail. Can win on a Good4.

☆☆☆☆

The ZOUSTAR gelding THUNDERLIPS has been very impressive of late and he should be able to handle the step up in grade. Won over 1400m at Kensington before running on wide for 2nd at Randwick over the same trip. Jumped ok and ridden along to win last start at Randwick, accelerating away from the 100m to win with some style. His dam SHAPITA (Foxwedge) is out of the outstanding NZ racemare TE AKAU ROSE, so the pedigree is first rate, with Bjorn Baker the perfect tonic.

☆☆☆

The Joe Pride trained TESTATOR SILENS looks due for a change of fortunes after a couple of mediocre runs since resuming. Struck a nice patch of form last winter in Sydney, but was just unable to win one. Boxed on in the Listed Hawk Rush (1100m) before slow away and running on well at Randwick over 1000m. Strange one last start here when checked off heels, then ridden along quietly at the rear before looking one paced. The STAR WITNESS gelding wouldn't mind a firm track and that may be the key to a positive result.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 72 HCP

RACE 3 - 1400m 4YO

PUNTIN / FIDDLER'S GREEN / KADALL

Bjorn Baker has always had big wraps on the SUPER SETH three-year-old gelding PUNTIN, and he does look a little bit extra special. Led all the way to win on debut at Nowra before racing away by 4L to win at Moruya. Took the lead again over the mile at Warwick Farm and kept finding to the line. Collared and overhauled by POINT AND SHOOT at Randwick at his next before a spell. Resumed and ran on evenly when 2nd over 1250m at Canterbury Park, however this distance will suit perfectly 2nd-up. Will be ready to rock n roll we believe.

☆☆☆☆☆

FIDDLER'S GREEN lost a hindplate last start over 1300m at Warwick Farm but was simply too good for them despite a few issues in the running. The four-year-old MERCHANT NAVY gelding trained by the Archibald's ran some nice races prior to Xmas 2024 and wasn't far off them in some tricky contests where he was hindered and unsuited by the race pace. Could turn it on here 2nd up after the terrific returning victory and despite an awkward draw, he doesn't appear badly placed at all. Decent odds.

☆☆☆

The other Archibald trained gelding KADALL is a super talent who changed from the Snowden stable in August 2024. Ran three nice placings for the new stable up in Queensland and a solid effort for 2nd at Doomben. Fell into 3rd resuming at Hawkesbury after being bumped at the 400m, then couldn't finish it off over 1400m at Kensington. Gave a sight and run down late at Scone, and dueled to the line in his last one over 1300m at Warwick Farm, but it was a tidy effort all the same. Improving type, although the last bit seems to test.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 72 HCP

RACE 5 - 1100m 3YO

SPYWIRE / LIVIN’ THING / SOVEREIGN HILL

The TRAPEZE ARTIST gelding SPYWIRE ran in strong company as a two-year-old, finishing 2nd in the Wyong MM before winning at the Gold Coast in January 2024. Sound effort for 3rd in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic there behind STORM BOY, then dropped off badly in the Gr.1 Blue Diamond at Caulfield and spelled. Raced wide throughout in a 3YO HCP at the Sunny and has trialed more then raced this year. Could be ready to throw down big fresh up and well worth covering

☆☆☆☆

The O'Shea/Charlton trained LIVIN’ THING is a very tidy YES YES YES gelding who has looked very sharp the last few. Livin’ Thing was a $120,000 Inglis Classic purchase and runs for an ownership group that also includes members of the Bax family who bred him. He is the first foal of West Australian stakes-winner ELECTRIC LIGHT a Vital Equine (IRE) mare from a Black Type family. Chased hard to prevail in the concluding stages at Kembla Grange, then found the front at the 150m last start at Kensington and raced away. A repeat of that effort and right in it.

☆☆☆

A sneaky one at nice odds is the lightly raced chestnut SOVEREIGN HILL out of the Gai/Bott stable. The WRITTEN TYCOON bred gelding won on debut over 1000m at Warwick Farm in October 2023, and wasn't seen properly again until May 2024. Finished 2nd with a bold effort over 1300m at Rosehill in June 2024, then gave everything when 3rd over 1400m here. Holds plenty of potential and could possibly go well fresh, but a big question mark as to how well the gelding will measure up after so long away from the track. May be much better then imagined.

☆☆

BEST BET: PUNTIN

NEXT BEST: STEP ASIDE

BEST VALUE: TOWNSEND

LONGSHOT: SOVEREIGN HILL