Very appropriate that promising stayer FLYING BANDIT will look to round off his preparation with another victory in the opening event, a Midway BM72 of 1800m at Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day.
The big gelding has had just 7 starts for 3 wins and trainer Kerry Parker sees a healthy future over longer distances for the son of TRAPEZE ARTIST.
“I know he’s coming back in trip after crying out for the 2000m last start at Hawkesbury but has drawn well and 1800m on the big stretches of Randwick should compensate for the slight drop back in distance,” said Parker.
“He looks a very handy stayer in the making.”
The 4yo is one of half a dozen runners in the Proven colours on Cup Day in an otherwise relatively quiet week. It’s fortunate we don’t have to personally witness each runner as they’re competing at 5 different tracks!
Meantime STOCKMAN has been tentatively nominated for Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Flemington in the hope of some rain falling down south. The veteran roared back to form with a slashing 4th in Saturday’s Rosehill Cup but if Melbourne looks too dry he’ll be kept for the Beauford at Newcastle Saturday week.
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SIRE ON FIRE – ALABAMA EXPRESS
Boasts two Group 1 favourites after TREASURE THE MOMENT announced her credentials for Thursday’s Oaks with an emphatic victory in Saturday’s Wakeful stakes at Flemington. That followed the recent stakes victory of NZ filly ALABAMA LASS which rocketed her to the top of markets for the NZ Thousand Guineas.
BLACK BOOKER – STOCKMAN
Defied his 8 years and flat recent form with a desperately unlucky 4th just under a length from the winner of Saturday’s Rosehill Cup. Relished the slightly affected ground and the big drop in weight to 54kg. Whilst in the twilight of his career, the run indicated another decent race is within his grasp when conditions suit.
BET WITH NIC
Times analyst Nic Ashman’s tips in this article currently sit at 16 winners from 24 selections. His tip for this week comes in the big one – the Melbourne Cup.
“ONESMOOTHOPERATOR was a dominant last start winner of the Geelong Cup – a proven form reference for the Melbourne Cup.”
Upcoming Proven Thoroughbreds runners
Gold Coast Polytrack Tuesday November 5
QTIS 3YO Maiden Handicap 1050m
SKYPORT LANE
Matt Hoysted/Kirk Matheson
Comment: Did everything right first up at Ipswich only to be swallowed up late over the short dash of 800m. Fitter and looks suited to the steadier tempo of a longer trip though will need to be sharp from the sticky draw.
Eagle Farm Tuesday November 5
3YO Maiden Plate 1200m
IMPERIAL RED
Matt Hoysted/Andrew Mallyon
Comment: Beautifully bred gelding on debut raced in partnership with NZ’S Cambridge Stud. By SPIRIT OF BOOM from the former handy Proven galloper Sienna Rose. Been a slow learner who gave an indication he was polishing his act up when placed in a recent trial on his home track. Awkward draw no help.
Sunshine Coast Tuesday November 5
Maiden Handicap 1200m
DEJA ZOU
Matt Hoysted/Simon Miller
Comment: Very slow developing 4yo gelding belatedly on debut after suffering a serious colic attack amongst other issues. By the all-conquering ZOUSTAR and from a star-studded family of stayers. Likely to find the distance too short but look for him running on late
Randwick Tuesday November 5
Midway BM72 Handicap 1800m
FLYING BANDIT
Kerry Parker/Jay Ford
Comment: Finished strongly to round up limited opposition in a Conditional B68 over 2000m at Hawkesbury. Though back marginally in trip looks well placed in Midway company on the bigger Randwick circuit, to build on a tidy record that reads 7 3-2-0.
Kembla Grange Tuesday November 5
Inglis Xtra Bonus Series Maiden Handicap 1200m
KING’S SECRET
Joe Pride/Molly Fitzgerald (a3)
Comment: Half brother to PRIVATE EYE who looked stiff on debut when narrowly beaten in a similar event over 1000m 12 days ago. Though green, is well drawn with a claim so looks poised to run well.
Inglis Xtra Bonus Series Maiden Handicap 1200m
MOVER AND SHAKER
Kerry Parker/Adrian Layt
Comment: Another 3yo on debut after trialling nicely at Hawkesbury last week. Tricky gate so will need some luck in running to figure but pleasing the stable in preparation for this.
Wyong Saturday November 9
BM64 Handicap 1100m
ACCREDITED
Joe Pride/Sam Clipperton
Comment: Consistent, lightly raced 5yo resuming here provided the track is not too wet. Struggled to break through on affected tracks in a 3 start winter campaign and looks to atone first up back in provincial company.
Doomben Saturday November 9
Class 3 Plate 1615m
CARTWHEELS
Matt Hoysted/Andrew Mallyon
Comment: Very consistent mare not suited by the steadying tempo second up to the mile last Saturday finishing out of the money for the first time in 7 starts. Looks well placed in this if she backs up.
Flemington Saturday November 9
G3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2600m
STOCKMAN
Joe Pride/TBA
Comment: Looks back in business after running a bottler over 2000m at Rosehill last Saturday. Back up to the 2600m here and will be prominent if the track has any kind of moisture in it.
Sunshine Coast Sunday November 10
3yo Maiden Plate 1000m
WATERTIGHT
Matt Hoysted/Andrew Mallyon
Comment: Showed good speed and battled on when 4th on debut over the same track and distance a fortnight ago. Greenness proved costly on that occasion so provided he’s learned from that experience, looks sure to run well.
BREAK FREE
Matt Hoysted/Nikita Beriman
Comment: CAPITALIST filly who’s trialled most impressively in preparation for this debut. One of the more intriguing runners of the week, a provincial kick off to her career looks ideal.
