What a start to the week it was when BREAK FREE charged home to win at Doomben.
The most pleasing part of this victory was her finishing speed in a fast run 1200m. Previously, a testing 6 furlong contest would find her out but last Wednesday at Doomben her final 200m was more than 2L above standard and the second quickest of the day. And when you couple that with an overall time that was 4L inside standard, you have yourself a horse to follow.
It’s not uncommon for this career twist particularly with the females. Often they show superior ability against their own sex/age but lose their way in their first campaign or two against the older males.
But as they mature they learn to hold that sprint for longer which allows them to absorb greater pressure in races thus running faster overall time. The greats did it – MAKYBE DIVA, WINX and BLACK CAVIAR all showed ability early on but turned into beasts from 5 years onwards. Even an old favourite of mine, SPINNING HILL, probably was at her best around the age of 6 or 7.
Good things ahead for BREAK FREE.
HARD LILNER made his debut at Warwick Farm on the same day. Our pre-race report suggested while short of his best, the 1100m may spark some improvement off what he showed in his trials. Sadly, they went through the first 500m more than 6L below standard making this barely a greater test than his barrier trials. He could improve sharply next time out.
Later that day old mate ELLE HUDSON was sent out a surprising favourite when second-up at the mile. He sprinted well fresh in a below average BM72 last month and this didn’t look an easier. He did his best but this trip and stage of prep is short of where he peaks. That said, he’s now put two good runs together and no doubt Joe can pick off a staying race soon for him.
Thursday we ventured out to Hawkesbury for OBSIDIAN DREAM. Good on Sam Clipperton for owning up to a poor ride – saves me some typing. She simply handed up a soft lead and raced keenly from there before finding little in the straight.
Further north on Thursday saw SEISMIC BOOM finish second after copping a bump at the 200m. A slow tempo turned it into a bit of a sprint home with the ex-Sydney galloper, TRAFALGAR SQUARE, showing a superior turn of foot and he looks likely to win more races up there.
Fast forward to a busy Saturday where Proven had 6 runners, 3 of them in stakes races. The Bob Charley Stakes at Randwick saw the return of ACCREDITED while THE BLACK CLOUD was back from an unsuccessful hit and run mission to Brisbane.
The Listed 1100m event was race 8 of the program. The previous three winners had sat first or second in run while 5 of the 7 winners had used Lanes 2 to 4 so the pattern of the day was clear.
Yet somehow rival hoops let WANARUAH, a fit $4.80 prospect, lead at a tempo nearly 4L below standard. Both ACCREDITED and THE BLACK CLOUD sat in the second half of the field and were never a chance.
With an off rail pattern prevailing at Eagle Farm, IN FLIGHT, who drew barrier 2 drifted from $5 to $9.50 in the Group 2 Moreton Bay Cup (1200m). Nothing has really gone right for her in two runs up north – the Melbourne winter sprints are calling – she’d be close to a good thing in the Sir John Monash Stakes early next month.
CHAMPAGNE LANE went around at big odds in her Listed 1200m assignment and while not disgraced finishing 3L off the winner, the race rated poorly – the overall time was slow and late splits average.
TOWN CRIER and NAVAL TRADER both went around in the BM85 1200m race. Mr Consistent (TOWN CRIER) sat on a genuine speed where they went above standard through the first 600m. They then came home quicker than average too meaning this was a solid race so he can win one again soon. It also adds merit to NAVAL TRADER’s unplaced run that will go through to the keeper for plenty. He was first-up off a decent break in a truly run race where he lost a plate. His 8th placing rated only 1L below standard and his last 1000m ranked 4th for the entire day. We might get a price next time on him.
Poor PONTEVICO. When you’re in your first prep, 28 days between runs and stepping up to a new a trip – what’s the last thing you want? Being wide no cover for the entire journey. It will be interesting to see how much that taxing run at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday has taken out of him and whether he can get back to the races this prep? We move on.
LOVE REBEL covered extra ground when second in her 1200m event at the same meeting. The race was only fair, rating well below the Class 3 on the same day but there’s quite a few weak maidens up that way at present meaning she can pinch one soon.
Great to see DECLAN find the winners’ circle at Wyong on Sunday. He went straight to the front, ran good time and won by a space. His last 600m was quicker than the field sectional for the Class 1 1000m race 40 minutes later – positive signs.
GONDORFF contested the same race and clocked the 5th fastest last 200m of the day. Look for him to improve over further next time out.
PRIVATE EYE lines up in the G1 Stradbroke Handicap this weekend. 3rd in the race last year and 2nd in 2022, there’s not many sprinting G1s he hasn’t raced in. For what its worth, I think the two he has to beat are stablemate HEADLEY GRANGE and the first emergency 3yo SIXTIES – the latter would be the pick given prices.
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. For a more detailed summary of the past weekend’s racing, you can listen to ‘The Monday Podcast’ episode by The Beaten Favourite HERE.