Monday Rewind: State-by-state expert analysis on who to circle and who to bin
THE old saying of “horses for courses” rang true again on Saturday when Leebaz achieved the rare feat of back-to-back Hollindale Stakes at the Gold Coast.
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THE old saying of “horses for courses” rang true again on Saturday when Leebaz achieved the rare feat of back-to-back Hollindale Stakes at the Gold Coast.
Some some horses like different tracks, surfaces and distances better than others and Leebaz definitely has an affinity with the tricky Gold Coast circuit.
“Do they run the Doomben Cup at the Gold Coast?” Wayne Hawkes quipped after Leebaz’s
win in the $350,000 Group 2 Hollindale Stakes.
The Hawkes camp no doubt would love it if they did indeed run the cup on the coast, with Leebaz’s ultimate goal likely to be the $650,000 Group 1 on May 21.
A peach ride by Michael Cahill certainly helped too as Leebaz took the shortest route home as the entered the home straight with the favoured runners tracking a wider route.
Welcome to another edition on Monday Rewind, where we look back at best and worst from the weekend.
Nathan Exelby (The Courier Mail)
Gold Coast
BLITZED
Michael Cahill let Strawberry Boy and Excess Knowledge carve each other up in front and took the sit on Leebaz in the Hollindale Stakes on the Gold Coast. Then took the shortcut on the turn as main danger Hauraki scouted wider.
BACK
Jumbo Prince never got out at Toowoomba and showed his true form at the Gold Coast. Proven over middle distances, so plenty of options rolling forward over the carnival.
Tasmanian Admiral conceded 4.5kg to the talented Supido at Flemington and gave him a real race at a distance short of his best. Headed north and can be a factor in our carnival.
Captain Obvious nominating Sold For Song, but it was close to the run of the day at the Gold Coast. She’s quite capable of sitting closer if she draws a gate and now ready to excel over further.
SACK
A rare flop for the Baker stable in Queensland. Just whacked away and Miss Tenpins (Gold Coast) won’t be starting favourite in a stakes race again any time soon.
Londehero’s just a tease these days. No doubt the ability is there, but he finds ways to get beaten. Had the chance to make his run with the quinella pair at the Gold Coast, but couldn’t match them.
Akavouroun raced wide at the Gold Coast, but he’s a long while between wins now and not the horse he was 18 months to two years ago.
MARKETS
BTC CUP
Doomben, Saturday
$4.60 Fell Swoop
$5 Japonisme
$7 Counterattack, Ghisoni
$8 Artlee, Malaguerra
$10 Music Magnate
$14 Delectation
$19 Charlie Boy, Spill The Beans
$21+ Others
STRADBROKE HANDICAP
Eagle Farm, June 11
$5 Azkadellia
$6.50 Black Heart Bart
$12 Artlee, Fell Swoop, Ghisoni, Music Magnate, Malaguerra
$13 Counterattack
$17 Japonisme
$19 Rageese, Sir Bacchus, Supido
$21 Admiral, Coolring, Le Romain, Takedown
$26+ Others
THE TALKING POINT
The Fred Best Classic in a fortnight is shaping as one of the races of the carnival, with a host of promising three-year-olds heading that way in search of a Stradbroke start. In addition to those that caught the eye in the Gold Coast Guineas, impressive Sydney winner Sir Bacchus is a candidate and possibly Godolphin’s Ghisoni.
THE QUOTE
“Do they run the Doomben Cup at the Gold Coast?” — Wayne Hawkes acknowledged the affinity Leebaz has with the tricky Gold Coast circuit in reference to how he might shape up in the Doomben Cup. Leebaz joined Shogun Lodge and Kiwi idol Rough Habit as the only horses to win two Hollindales.
Danny Russell (Herald Sun)
Flemington
BLITZED
Mick Kent is nothing if not a semi-genius. Wins a race at Flemington with a rising 10-year-old that has been in work for a year, has a lightly raced sprinter saluting at the same venue for its sixth win in succession, and over in Adelaide wins the Oaks with a filly at her third start.
He might have closed his NSW stables, but don’t expect Tony McEvoy to disappear from the winner’s circle anytime soon. McEvoy proved that the Angaston and Flemington arms of his training operation remain strong with a double at Flemington — Lucky Lucky Lucky and Scherzoso.
BLUNDERED
The favourites at Flemington. Merriest, Second Bullet, Fleur Fatale and My Bantry Bay all provided compelling cases to start favourites in the first four races, but none saluted.
HORSES TO FOLLOW
Supido — Goodwood Handicap
Admiral — Goodwood Handicap
De Little Engine — we might have black booked him a run too early. Next start
I Am A Star — two-year-old with a future
Scerzoso — anything up to 2000m
SACK FILE
Grey Street, needs a spell. Firehouse Rock, not even Darren Weir can improve this fella, and High Church.
HOT
Mick Kent — could make it back-to-back Group 1s in Adelaide on Saturday with Charlevoix in the Derby
Darren Weir — eight winners in three days at Warrnambool
NOT
Anyone who went too hard at Warrnambool, including Ollie who misses a number of key rides through his booze suspension in coming weeks including Fell Swoop and Azkadellia.
Shayne O’Cass (The Daily Telegraph)
Rosehill Gardens
BLITZED
Sir Bacchus has come back in amazing shape. The Chris Waller-trained 3YO was a big winner first-up at Rosehill two weeks back and followed up by a second victory at the track, this one nut by as big a space but every bit as good. He’s flying.
BLUNDERED
Lucky Fish from the Waterhouse stable was popular with punters and was given every chance but faltered late when run down by none other than the aforementioned Sir Bacchus.
HOT
Bjorn Baker. Somebody stop him! Baker’s been winning races at regular intervals this season be there out west at Orange, up north in Brisbane or close to home at Rosehill. He’s obviously a great trainer and loved by the media because he’s always good for a quote and tells it how it is.
NOT
Zara Bay. Two excellent trials had her somewhat primed to do something, certainly more than her 8th of 11 behind Sir Bacchus.
HORSES TO FOLLOW
Archives, Correspondent, Sir Bacchus, Pioneering
THIS WEEK
Tuesday: Townsville, Grafton, Hawkesbury, Geelong
Wednesday: Sunshine Coast, Canterbury, Sandown, Balaklava, Belmont
Thursday: Mackay, Albury, Gosford, Pakenham, Wangaratta, Mt Gambier, Northam
Friday: Ipswich, Scone, Ballina, Cranbourne, Geelong, Mt Gambier
Saturday: Doomben, Scone, Caulfield, Morphettville, Belmont, Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Rockhampton, Kembla Grange, Coonamble, Donald, Tennant Creek
Sunday: Sunshine Coast, Coffs Harbour, Parkes, Pakenham, Gawler, Kalgoorlie, Devonport
Originally published as Monday Rewind: State-by-state expert analysis on who to circle and who to bin
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