SHOW A HEART STARS WARMING UP!
There are many people who think that this year SHOW A HEART is set to play his biggest ever role during a Melbourne Spring Carnival – and that prediction is very hard to argue against considering the form displayed in recent weeks by his quartet of group winning geldings Woorim, Heart Of Dreams, Rightfully Yours and Toorak Toff.
Every one of those gallopers has indicated that they are “bang on target” for their respective assignments over the coming months – with all registering very impressive last start performances.
Last weekend, Woorim was nothing short of arrogant when disposing of his opposition at Moonee Valley in his final lead-up race to the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 24. His trainer, Rob Heathcote, has been focused on having the son of Show A Heart peak on this day for almost 12 months, after coming “oh so close” this time last year, and it is a mission that is close to completion.
WOORIM – NEXT STOP IS THE G1 SIR RUPERT CLARKE STAKES
“I am sure this horse should already have two G1 races under his belt but for bad luck,” Rob said. “He was desperately unlucky last year in the Rupert Clarke when he was held up for about 100m in the straight and, a few months ago, all he needed was a little bit of luck in the Stradbroke and I am sure he would have charged over the top of them.
“His win last week a the Valley showed that he is probably now right at the peak of his form and if we get a good or dead track on G1 day next weekend then it will take either a lot of bad luck or a very smart horse to hold him out.”
HEART OF DREAMS and RIGHTFULLY YOURS will both be stepping out at Caulfield tomorrow, after the pair resumed from spells with very encouraging seconds 3 weeks ago, and both are set to give their respective races a tremendous shake (races 7 and 5 respectively).
Heart Of Dreams has proven to be one of the very best weight-for-age performers in the country over the last 3 seasons and it is doubtful there has been any horse more consistent during this time. Tomorrow he will line up in the $350,000 G1 Underwood Stakes, a race he claimed 2 years ago.
The Mick Price trained gelding was gallant in defeat last time out when he went down narrowly to in-form mare King’s Rose in the G2 Memsie Stakes. Tomorrow he will have to step up to the 1800m second up from a spell and from a wide barrier – but Mick thinks he is going to give the race a really good shake. 
HEART OF DREAMS – LOOKING FOR HIS 2ND UNDERWOOD VICTORY THIS WEEKEND
“The first 400m of the race is probably going to tell the tale,” Mick said. “we have drawn pretty awkwardly but the most likely leader is drawn a couple inside us and may just be able to give Heart Of Dreams a nice cart across.
“If that happens, and he can settle down into a nice action without pulling, then I am confident I have him fit enough to prove very hard to run past.
“He has proven he likes the track and the distance and I thought he was very good first up.
“He is a terrific horse to have as part of the team and I doubt there would be any more deserving winners than him. He has competed at this top level for a long time and it is rare that he is beaten out of a place.
“With the right run in transit he will again give them plenty to think about.”
Rightfully Yours is another Show A Heart who has an undeniable winning chance at Caulfield tomorrow.
“He is a 7YO now who probably is starting to feel the effects of the battle a little,” Mick Price said. “However he definitely has the class to handle this field and he just needs a little sting out of the ground to run up to his best.
“He has drawn well, has done everything right over the last few weeks and will get some weight relief with the addition of an apprentice. If he can position up just behind the speed then I am sure they will know he is there.
“There are a couple of smart, up and coming ones in this race but he has the runs on the board and that should not be underestimated.”
RACING THIS WEEKEND!
There are plenty of Glenlogan Park bred runners lining up at venues all over the country this weekend that will no doubt give their connections lots to cheer about.
At the Doomben card tomorrow, Show A Heart will launch a 3 pronged attack on the opening event with Heart To Fear, Prost and Seventh Heart all set to do battle.
In what appears a very open race with a number of chances, all 3 are capable of figuring in the finish if things fall their way during the running.
Race 2 from Doomben sees the very consistent Falvelon filly Atlantis Gem looking for a change of luck against her 3YO opponents. The Laurie Mayfield Smith trained youngster has had wide runs in transit at her last two outings against similar opposition but will jump from a good barrier tomorrow and have the benefit of a 3kg apprentice weight relief. The top-weight looks very hard to beat but the Falvelon filly is sure to run well and is a great each way chance.
Falvelon also has a terrific chance in the 3rd event with the talented Narcelo looking to avenge his narrow defeat last time out. The 4YO gelding looked very unlucky 2 weeks ago when he was just nailed right on the post. Tomorrow Narcelo will have the services of the in-form Jim Byrne, who will need to be right on his game as they are jumping from the extreme outside alley at the tricky 1615m start. However there is no question that Narcelo has the talent – he just needs the luck.
For followers of the Glenlogan Park bred offspring, Falvelon will be looking to close off the day from Doomben with the fast finishing Craiglea Falcon looking a fantastic each way chance. The Peter Fleming trained 6YO will be hoping to take his earnings over the one quarter of one million dollars mark and, if he can repeat his performance from 2 weeks prior, he is a serious chance of achieving that. Craiglea Falcon typically gets back a long way during the run, but very few horses can charge late as strongly as he can and if there is any weakness in those up front then he is sure to find them out.
Other runners worth keeping an eye on over the course of the next few days include the Jet Spur pair of Hearts and Aniwa from Singapore tonight in races 2 and 4 respectively. Bradbury’s Luck’s talented 3YO Lucky Tycoon in race 2 from the Gold Coast tomorrow. And, on Sunday, the Show A Heart pair of Cardiobeat (Ballarat race 6) and Restless Heart (Sunshine Coast race 2).
