The past two Everest champions will lock horns this Saturday with GIGA Kick and THINK ABOUT IT both set to resume in the G2 The Premiere (1200m) at Randwick.
THINK ABOUT hasn’t won since taking out the world’s richest turf race almost 12 months ago while GIGA KICK hasn’t won since May 2023.
The Premiere is often the last chance for Everest slot holders to make a call on who represents them. GIGA KICK and THINK ABOUT IT won’t have it to themselves though with multiple Group 1 winner BELLA NIPOTINA shaping as the horse to beat on current form.
Super Saturday at Randwick is one of the highlights of the spring with a trio of Group 1 races – Epsom Handicap, Metropolitan Handicap and the Flight Stakes, which this year features the unbeaten AUTUMN GLOW.
Meanwhile, we had some handy gallopers at the trials this week so grab your blackbook out! PRIVATE EYE’s little brother KING’S SECRET should be at the races after another trial. He wasn’t asked for much on Monday at Warwick Farm. At the same set of trials we had MIND BENDER trial in similar fashion in what was her first public appearance.
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SIRE ON FIRE – TOO DARN HOT
Not only did he sire the winner of the lone Group 1 race last Saturday, BROADSIDING in the Golden Rose, but he also had PERSPIRATION take out the Listed Heritage Stakes (1100m).
“The three-year-old missed the start by 2L but produced the best last 400m and 200m of the day in what was a dominant win under the circumstances,” times analyst Nic Ashman added.
BLACK BOOKER – NAVAL TRADER
Showed a great example of “sustained speed” according to our times analyst Nic Ashman, who said the four-year-olds victory at Doomben last Wednesday suggested he could win again next start.
“He camped about 3L off the lead but the tempo was fast and he was still going faster than benchmark through the first section of the race,” Ashman said.
“He’s come home his last 600m inside the class benchmark as well. This is a great example of sustained speed and I think we learned that he likes a rolling tempo.”
BET WITH NIC
Nic’s tips in this article now sit at 14 winners from 20 selections after PRIDE OF JENNI won last Friday night.
“There is no doubt AUTUMN GLOW is the horse to beat in the G1 Flight Stakes and her price of $1.70 is about right. But I can’t take my eyes off the $41 about POWERS OF OPAL. Even better the $6.50 to run a place. Her last 600m rating at her most recent start was almost on par with what AUTUMN GLOW did in the Tea Rose.”
Upcoming Proven Thoroughbreds runners
Randwick Saturday October 5
G2 Premiere Stakes 1200m
THINK ABOUT IT
Joe Pride/Jason Collett
Comment: Resumes off the back of two trials where he has looked good in each. Won this race en route to his Everest triumph last year and only needs to run near his best to be right in the finish. The big query is he’s coming off his worst preparation yet. But we feel he had genuine excuses in most of those runs.
BM72 Midway Handicap 1800m
FLYING BANDIT
Kerry Parker/Kerrin McEvoy
Comment: Sectionals show he peaked on his run last start. We made him the blackbooker off the back of that performance and he will strip fitter here. Wide gate some concern but it might be advantageous to be off rail at the meeting anyway.
Warwick Farm Monday October 7
BM72 Handicap 1100m
ICONIC TREASURE
Joe Pride/TBA
Comment: Our sectional analysis revealed he didn’t quite see out the 1300m last start. He sat off a moderate tempo and failed to break class benchmark time for his final 200m. A drop back should suit him immensely.
Ipswich Monday October 7
BM78 Handicap 1200m
ZATANNA
Matt Hoysted/TBA
Comment: Big win over this track and distance on debut when smashing the class benchmark for Maiden races by almost 6L. Failed at stakes level next run but has trialled well ahead of return.
