Bathurst races Sunday: Preview, best bets and inside mail

Trainer John Sargent has his sights set on November’s Big Dance with a lightly-raced mare who can book her place in the $3m feature by winning the Bathurst Cup.

Mountain Guest is looking to book her place in the Big Dance by winning Sunday’s Bathurst Cup. Picture: Bradley Photos

Kiwi master John Sargent could go from having no Big Dance runners to two potential new millionaire stable residents depending on what happens over the next couple of Sundays starting at Bathurst.

This weekend’s annual Bathurst Cup meeting takes on added significance given the incentive of Big Dance eligibility.

Sargent will saddle-up the lightest-raced of all in Sunday’s Bathurst Cup namely Mountain Guest who has raced on just 10 occasions so far.

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Trainer John Sargent has Mountain Guest in peak form for Sunday's Bathurst Cup. Picture: Grant Guy

That said, Sargent’s mare is in career best form, albeit in easier races.

“She is right in peak form and I think she is definitely a good hope,” Sargent said.

“She is well weighted and while she has a tricky draw, she is very adaptable. She can come back or go forward. I will just leave it to JVO (Jean Van Overmeire).”

Mountain Guest won the first two starts of the new season, one at Kembla, the other at Newcastle before a creditable second on the Kensington track over 1800m on September 6 with Lee Magorrian riding.

“Lee said he thought she was going to win but she just stayed the same pace a bit so he probably put that down to quite a form track that day,” Sargent said.

“I hope there is a little bit of jar out of it at Bathurst, that would suit her too but she goes on anything from Heavy to Good so that shouldn’t be a problem.”

While Mountain Guest’s two wins are at the provincials, she has made her presence felt in stakes grade having finished runner-up in Arts’ ATC Adrian Knox (2000m) at Royal Randwick.

Under normal circumstances, Mountain Guest would be a rolled-gold Matriarch Stakes contender but Sargent for one, is hoping she is closer to home this November.

“The back up is the Matriarch down there but at this stage, money talks, and we would like to get her into The Big Dance,” the trainer said.

Mayrose will be looking to book her spot in the Big Dance in the Coonamble Cup in two weeks. Picture: Grant Guy

Ditto that for her stablemate Mayrose who would relish a fast-run Randwick Mile on November 2 provided she can earn her spot.

“Mayrose will be aiming to qualify at Coonamble in a couple of weeks,” Sargent said.

“She has got a bit of class about her; we just have to get there (to Randwick) now.”

Mountain Guest, a fourth generation descendant of Wrap Around, will be partnered on the float over the Blue Mountains by three-year-old Burgundy Bubbles who wears the same colours as past Sargent-trained pair Brandenburg and Luvaluva.

A son of Burgundy (Redoute’s Choice - Grand Echezeaux), Sargent’s gelding was underwhelming at best in his two starts at his opening campaign but is destined to make a better impression at his weekend return.

“He was ridden upside down in one of them last campaign and just a bit weak in the second one but now he looks stronger,” Sargent reported.

“The way he has been working, there is a lot more kick in his legs, so I thought he would trial well which he did. Hopefully he will produce that on Sunday and he can win a maiden and then carry on.”

SHAYNE O’CASS’ TOP SELECTIONS

BEST BET

Race 8 No. 1: Super Helpful

Runner-up in last year’s Panorama. Has the big weight but has earned every ounce.

NEXT BEST

Race 1 No. 9: Pozesana

Has run well in all three starts out west for Gayna Williams. This looks like it’s her day.

VALUE BET

Race 6 No. 8: Flying Bat

Has looked the part in his two trials. Hails from an astute yard and has a favourable alley.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 3, 6

Race 6: 8, 11, 13

Race 7: 1, 3, 4, 11

Race 8: 1

Grant Buckley looks a good chance to take out the two features races at Bathurst. Picture: Grant Guy

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Grant Buckley has some fabulous rides on the Bathurst Cup card with strong chances in both features.

INSIDE MAIL - BATHURST

RACE 1

Pozesana is owned by Debbie Kepitis and had her first five starts with Winx’s trainer Chris Waller and didn’t do much to be brutally honest. Her last three have been for Gayna Williams and have obviously gone ‘up’ given she has gone ‘down’ in class so much. This looks like another perfect race for her to get the maiden away. Mr Casino is crying out for 1400m and maybe even after that. He’s on the right trajectory. The 46 start maiden Sensei Jackie can place.

Bet: Pozesana to win

RACE 2

Timmy is owned, trained and was bred by Andrew Ryan. Timmy, a son of Scissor Kick, is from the same crop of Giga Kick. As for the horse himself, he has been a bit hot and cold this preparation but his ‘hot’ is good enough to win. That said, Bellucci Bella is a giant obstacle. The Clint Lundholm-trained mare was ‘261’ in her only starts at the first campaign and barrier 3 is a gift. The Newhaven Park born, aptly named, Boorowa Girl, is capable on her day.

Bet: Timmy to win, quinella 1, 2

RACE 3

Flying Molly is a Mark Milton-owned and trained mare who creates a whole lot of interest here on debut for the primary reason that she was so impressive winning her Sept 3 trial at her home base at Mudgee. Shalmum is a Bjorn Baker-trained filly who led but mowed down late at Mudgee in a decent quality maiden on debut. She certainly won’t have to improve much on that to win this. Gary Portelli’s Firealarm trialled well enough at Kembla to play a leading role.

Bet: Flying Molly to win, box trifecta 1, 2, 3, 6

RACE 4

Bobby Shiraz is a promising type in the staying ranks. He is certainly bred to go a long way being by Savabeel with Quays as his grandam and Pontal Lass as his third dam. This Bjorn Baker-trained three-year-old won over 1400m on debut at Eagle Farm then wasn’t seen again until his closing fourth at Kembla (top run). Bonus Tempo’s last two runs have been outstanding. The son of Impending really looks like he is eager for the longer trip now. Ditto that for Tokyo Run who ran well at Kembla; at home this weekend.

Bet: Bobby Shiraz to win, exacta 1 to beat 2

Feirme Prince is coming off a big run at Dubbo. Picture: Bradley Photos

RACE 5

Feirme Prince has been going around in some strong races and mostly doing well. The son of Shalaa is ‘142’ heading into Sunday and make no mistake, that second to Ostracized at Dubbo on September 10 was huge. Warwick Farm housed gelding Charlie Foxtrot is now one from one at the track and trip subsequent to his easy, all the way win here on August 28. Same jockey, similar draw. Time Bandit was inches away from being unbeaten before Mrs Ed collared him late.

Bet: Feirme Prince to win, quinella 3, 6

RACE 6

Flying Bat was ‘good’ in his Aug 18 heat but went to ‘very good’ in his second heat there at Warwick Farm 13-days ago. On top of that, he has a really nice pedigree and an equally ‘nice’ barrier. Hard Pick is better than his record shows. Mind you, he has been racing against the likes of Infatuation, The Little Pumper and Griff. Expecting a lot of improvement here on Sunday. Starboard did more than enough at Kembla to warrant respect.

Bet: Flying Bat to win, Daily Double 1st Leg (8), 2nd Leg (1)

RACE 7

Super Pursuit is just the type of horse who could win the Big Dance if he happened to make it. Imagine him getting back in a fast Randwick mile and him being launched at them all late by Jason Collett. One would imagine from history that this is the same M.O for horse and rider here in the Cup on Sunday. Queenmaker goes to a new level once she gets to 1800m/1900m. She has a great on-pace pattern when she gets over a trip like this and is mighty hard to pass more often than not. Elettrica is holding her form really well.

Bet: Super Pursuit to win, box trifecta 1, 3, 4, 11

RACE 8

Super Helpful has the honour and distinction of being the highest rated horse racing at Bathurst on Sunday at 92. That being the case, he’s probably not too badly treated with 61kg in the Panorama, the race which he ran second in last year. Goes enormous fresh, loves this trip and will be so strong late. If you like good triallers, then Osman is your horse in the Panorama. He won a good Class 4 here on Anzac Day at his only visit. Cliff House has also trialled well. Sister Moon is good enough to win.

Bet: Super Helpful to win, exacta 1 to beat 3, First 4: 1 (standout) to beat 3, 8, 10