Race 1:
3.5L slower than Benchmark. Thought Stewart may have got it wrong on MAOTAI when he decided to just keep pushing and firing up the horse a little. Looking at times that wasn’t the case and he had his chance. UNCOMMON JAMES is a good one of the way up and just better on the day. Both good runs.
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Race 2:
Walking race. Rubbish.
KING WILL DREAM bled.
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Race 3:
EVEN tempo. Story here was ARYTON. He is still learning but he’s just a high class, lightly raced horse who will improve each prep. In the right hands and sure to win multiple good races. First go at 1600m and best L400m and 200m of the race.
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Race 4:
EVEN tempo. I got this horribly wrong. KNIGHTS ORDER was far to good and might be one to watch in some country cups in the spring. No doubt they aim higher but that might be his level. Typical tough Waterhouse stayer.
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Race 5:
FAST tempo– 7.6L quicker than BM for class and ZAAKI is just a freak. He sat on the very fast tempo and J.Mac just held him together and he won easy enough again. His ability to absorb pressure and still run some of the best splits of the race late is unmatched.
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Race 6:
VERY SLOW tempo, around 17L slower than BM and SUPERIUM comes from last to run over them all?? He got a peach last start and couldn’t win a bm85. I don’t know, I don’t know. Maybe he was widest on track which helps, maybe Williams wears a cape, I don’t know…
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Race 7:
EVEN tempo. CONVERGE is a real find for the carnival. They know now that he performs best ridden a little quieter than what was happening in Sydney, around midfield is ideal but has the ability to sit closer if no tempo is about. Looks like they may take him out to 200m next prep but he is extremely good around this mile range and he could win 1300m fresh without a surprise. he’s a ripper. PORT LOUIS pulled up lame + coughing and forget he ran. Starting to become a bookies fav that horse but he does have good ability.
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Race 8:
EVEN/FAST tempo (Fair). TOFANE and VEGA ONE got good runs and the Victorian just got the better of it late. Both in great form, both excellent here and a deserved quinella. THE HARROVIAN was the horse without a lot of luck. Kept finding trouble and he’s a big horse who needed to get out much earlier. He’s had 34 starts but may be getting better. SIGNORE FOX is in career best form and really good again in this.
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Race 9:
VERY SLOW tempo. BROOKLYN HUSTLE sat out the back, come down the outside fence and won in good style. Big win off that slow tempo and maybe the further trip has been what she’s after. How much better was outside fence then in? No idea. Only two broke 23 sec home and she was 22.48. Huge. ODEUM and MADAM ROUGE both very good also. SIERRA SUE ready to win something easier but no doubt they aim higher.
