All Aged Stakes
The speed
The pace is fast here. Electric Girl, Zaaki and Ho O Amazon will go forward. Giga Kick has a tough draw and will likely sit midfield. Cascadian will be back in the run.
Runner-by-runner
12 Giga Kick [$3.10] was brilliant in the TJ Smith. I’m taking on faith that he can run a fast-paced 1400 metres.
1 Zaaki [$5.50] had a false start to the prep and stayed out for longer. He’s a champion horse, but is 1400 metres too short for him now?
5 Mazu [$7.00] hasn’t won past 1200 metres so this is a big question mark for him.
11 Jacquinot [$8.00] comes here off a freshen-up. Any improvement off his win two starts back in the CF Orr puts him in contention here.
3 Private Eye [$8.50] is good enough to win this if he can get back to his best. He’s been disappointing this prep.
4 Cascadian [$10] has had a weird prep, going from 2000m back to 1400m. But last year he went 2000m to 1600m to 1400m to win this race. He has wins from 1400m to 2000m. Trust Cummings and the camp.
2 Lost And Running [$16] hasn’t yet shown he is up to Group 1 class.
7 Ho O Amazon [$19] is an unknown in Australia… as usual with these types, the market is the best guide… so follow that.
9 Roch N Horse [$21] is just a knock-out chance.
10 Electric Girl [$26] won’t be the worst $26 shot running around this weekend.
I don’t think 6 Bandersnatch [$61] or 8 Kolding [$151] is going well enough to challenge here.
Betting strategy
Top pick Giga Kick
Best value Cascadian
Giga Kick is certainly the deserving favourite but I don’t want to take around $3 for him. Cascadian won this race last year and is in good form leading into this, I will take the double figure odds available for him at an each-way basis. A sneaky Giga Kick / Cascadian quinella might be in order too.
Good luck!
Champagne Stakes
The speed
The pace is just average here. Bases Loaded, Kintyre and Townsend will be forward in the run, with Amur behind them leading the pack with Don Corleone and Tannhauser. Militarize will sit off that midfield group.
Runner-by-runner
2 Militarize [$2.20] won well in the Sires Produce, and that run gave an indication that 1600 metres won’t be an issue.
1 Don Corleone [$3.80] has to turn around almost four lengths on Militarize last start.
4 Tom Kitten [$9.00] will run the distance out, but it’s hard to say he has the class of the others.
5 Bases Loaded [$12] would need to improve, but you can’t rule the Waterhouse / Bott camp out.
They’re the contenders for mine in a race with a pretty long tail… I don’t give the rest much of a chance of winning this: 6 Make A Call [$19], 7 Felix The Scat [$31], 9 Townsend [$19], 11 Pier Pressure [$12], 8 Kintyre [$34], 10 Tannhauser [$21], 12 Mah Ali [$101].
Betting strategy
Best bet Militraize
Yes, he is short, but I really think Militarize is the one to beat here. The last three winners of this race have come out of the Sires Produce, so I’m sticking with that line.
Good luck!
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