The Follow Files: European import impresses on Aussie debut
With both the Melbourne and Sydney autumn carnivals in full swing, the focus went onto Flemington and Randwick last Saturday as both tracks hosted Group 1 racing. In this week’s edition of The Follow Files, we focus on three runners from those feature meetings that you should put in your blackbook.
Randwick
Rail position: True entire circuit
Race 8: Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) | Time: 1:22.63
- Horse to follow: Tutta La Vita (3rd)
Tutta La Vita returned from a five-month spell in the Group 1 Surround Stakes, where the Chris Waller-trained filly ran home strongly to finish third, 1.8 lengths behind Tropical Squall. After ending her spring campaign with a fourth in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes, 1400m was clearly short of her best, but the daughter of The Autumn Sun showed she has returned well for her third racing preparation.
When to bet: Although she holds a nomination in the Rosehill Guineas this Saturday, it is unlikely that Waller back up Tutta La Vita after seven days. The Group 1 Coolmore Classic over 1500m at Rosehill on March 16 or the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes over the same distance look ideal for this girl next.
Race 10: Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) | Time: 1:15.62
- Horse to follow: New Energy (2nd)
After having 11 starts in Europe, New Energy made his Australian debut for Ciaron Maher in the Liverpool City Cup last weekend. The five-year-old gelding produced one of the best runs in defeat for the day at Randwick and should take a lot of benefit from his first start on Aussie soil. The son of New Bay ran through the line as strongly as any of his rivals, suggesting a step up in trip next start would suit him perfectly.
When to bet: As New Energy holds a nomination for the Doncaster Mile, Maher will more than likely send this gelding to the Group 2 Ajax Stakes over 1500m on March 16 at Rosehill. The winner of that race will be exempt from ballot for the Doncaster, so it is the perfect race for this European import.
Flemington
Rail position: +2m entire circuit
Race 6: Benchmark 84 Handicap (1600m) | Time: 1:36.19
- Horse to follow: Another Wil (1st)
Another Wil brought up a hat-trick of wins at Flemington last Saturday, as he settled on speed and ran away from his rivals to record a dominant 4.5-length victory over 1600m. This son of Street Boss has won over 1400m and 1600m and has worked through the grades nicely over the last nine months. The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding has taken his record to four wins from six starts and will now look to take on black type level very soon.
When to bet: Interestingly, Another Wil holds a nomination in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile on April 6 at Randwick and is the third favourite in futures markets with online bookmakers. However, you would expect that he would have to win a Group race before competing at the top level, and wherever he goes, we will be following him.