WAR MACHINE rated bang on average for Stradbroke Handicaps when he took out Saturday’s feature at Eagle Farm while it was another Group 1 placing for Proven Thoroughbreds’ PRIVATE EYE.
PRIVATE EYE was lining up for another crack at the elite level, this time under handicap conditions. With his record, the handicapper allotted him topweight of 57kg in the Stradbroke Handicap. After initially covering ground, he did a terrific job to finish 3rd to the highly progressive WAR MACHINE, carrying some 4kg less than our grand campaigner. The race rated just a fraction above standard adding further merit to PRIVATE EYE’s performance.
COOL ARCHIE remained unbeaten this prep when racing away with the Group 1 J J Atkins (1600m) – the final 2YO feature at this level for the season. He ran bang on average time with soft late sectionals emphasizing yet again what a weak crop of juveniles we’ve seen in the big races. Don’t be surprised if races like the Golden Rose are won by horses from leftfield.
PIER kicked their heads in when beating standard time by 3L in the Listed Wayne Wilson (1600m). The Kiwi galloper covered the mile half a second faster than the Group 3 Gunsynd Classic and more than one second faster than COOL ARCHIE in the JJ Atkins.
Ipswich Cup day this weekend and my early tip is GERRINGONG in the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic. This filly recorded the fastest final 1000m of the day last time out over 1200m. It’s a great indication she will relish further and this week she gets beyond 1200m for the first time.
The week for Proven began with COLUMBIA BLUE putting in a brave performance when attempting to go from a provincial maiden to a metro BM64 at the Kensington track last Wednesday. He finished 2nd to LIVIN THING, who clocked the fastest last 800, 600, 400 and 200m of the day. His overall time was still 5L above standard indicating he is up to this grade and likely more. Off his rating here, he could easily compete in a BM72 at the midweeks.
At Rosehill on Saturday, KING’S SECRET put in his worst performance yet finishing out of the placings when 5th to WINNING PROPOSAL in his BM72 assignment at Rosehill. The 1100m contest was barely that, with OVERFULL being allowed to lead going 1L below standard through the first 500m and the pace didn’t quicken until they got into the home straight. WINNING PROPOSAL, who sat ahead of us in the run, recorded the fastest last 600m of the day.
LITTLE COINTREAU was doing LITTLE COINTREAU things when he lined up in the meeting’s following race, the BM78 over 1500m. He finished 3rd after settling 5L off a tempo that was almost 4L below standard through the first section. It’s the second time in his last three runs he’s found a slow tempo. If you’re any good at speed maps then follow him into a faster run race because his data is screaming that he needs it.
MELTDOWN had no luck being caught wide at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday. Stepping up to a new trip means you want an economical run and he got nothing like it. The fact he dug deep and kept coming shows the galloper has tenacity and a kinder run in transit will see him win a similar race in the near future.
Also running on Sunday was the warhorse STOCKMAN in a maiden hurdle for the second time in his career. We went there supremely confident the $2.30 in early markets was a luxury. He started $1.75 and ranged up at the 600m but was lacklustre in the Terang straight. Perhaps the Bool run has flattened him like it does to so many gallopers every year? Or perhaps he’s not as good as we thought over the hurdles? Time will tell.
Nic Ashman is a form expert who has developed his own times rating system to assess races. He is the host of The Beaten Favourite podcast and appears on several other racing media outlets.