Follow Files: VRC Derby chance impresses at Randwick
Last weekend the Cox Plate Carnival at Moonee Valley took centre stage on Friday and Saturday, while Spring Champion Stakes Day was held at Randwick. From those two meetings, we have found three runners who look primed to win next time out.
Moonee Valley
Rail position: True entire circuit
Race 4: Listed Crockett Stakes (1200m) | Time: 1:10.97
- Horse to follow: Saltaire (2nd)
After on-pace runners dominated the first three races at Moonee Valley last Saturday, the John O’Shea-trained Saltaire was one of the first to make up any ground from deep. This three-year-old filly settled last on the fence and Blake Shinn made his move at the 400m mark, eventually getting to the outside of runners to let down in the home straight. When this daughter of Star Turn hit full speed, she recorded the fastest last 400m and 200m sectionals of the entire meeting, yet she was nosed out in a close photo finish.
When to bet: Although Saltaire was second-up last weekend, she had been given eight weeks between runs, so she should be hitting peak fitness at her next start. The Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes at Caulfield on November 18 over 1200m looks an ideal race for her to target next.
Randwick
Rail position: True entire circuit
Race 7: Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) | Time: 2:01.28
- Horse to follow: Cap Ferrat (2nd)
Tom Kitten was a dominant winner of the Spring Champion Stakes, but of the beaten brigade, Cap Ferrat from the Chris Waller yard was the clear standout. The three-year-old colt followed the favourite in the run, but at a crucial stage when the Tom Kitten got into clear air, this guy got squeezed and couldn’t follow him through. By the time he got back into clear running, the winner was off and gone, but this son of Snitzel knuckled down in the final 100m to beat the third horse by a length.
When to bet: Cap Ferrat is still a maiden; however, the further in distance that he competes, the better this colt’s results have been. The Group 1 VRC Derby is next on the agenda, and you would expect that the extra 500m will prove beneficial.
Race 8: The Invitation (1400m) | Time: 1:21.74
- Horse to follow: Magic Time (3rd)
Grahame Begg-trained Magic Time was a well-backed favourite in The Invitation, and even though she finished third behind Espiona and Ruthless Dame, her run shouldn’t be underestimated. After jumping well, Tyler Schiller chose to push forward on his mare and ultimately got stuck three wide for the entire trip, giving the eventual runner-up cover out deep. However, when the leading trio hit the 200m mark, this daughter of Hellbent was still well in the contest, and she kicked back to only go down by 0.3 of a length.
When to bet: After proving that 1400m is no worry, Magic Time should be headed towards more fillies and mares races over that trip in Sydney. The Group 2 Hot Danish Stakes at Rosehill on November 11 will give her three weeks between starts and looks like a perfect race for her.