Last Saturday we had Group 1 racing at Eagle Farm, while there were also meetings held at Flemington, Rosehill, Morphettville and Belmont. In this week’s edition of The Follow Files, we have highlighted three runners from the weekend that we will be keeping an eye on at their next start.
Flemington – VRC Community Raceday
Track rating: Soft 7
Rail position: +8m entire circuit
Race 1: 2YO Handicap (1200m) | Time: 1:11.52
- Horse to follow: Steparty (1st)
It is rare to see Paul Preusker have a two-year-old that kicks off his career with two nice wins in town, but that is exactly what Steparty has done. This colt won impressively on debut at Ballarat before going to Flemington last Saturday, where he was heavily backed and won by 3.5 lengths down the straight. After settling in behind the speed for the first half of the 1200m race, Dean Yendall let this son of Artie Schiller go through his gears and he careered away for a massive victory.
When to bet: Preusker mentioned post-race that Steparty could return to Flemington in a month’s time to take on the Next Generation Sprinters Series Final down the straight once again, and if he does, we will be backing him in to make it three from three.
Eagle Farm – Queensland Oaks Day
Track rating: Good 4
Rail position: +2m entire circuit
Race 3: Benchmark 85 Handicap (1200m) | Time: 1:11.87
- Horse to follow: Fleetwood Maca (2nd)
Fleetwood Maca returned to the racetrack on Saturday at Eagle Farm after a five-month spell and was quite unlucky in the concluding stages of the Benchmark 85 Handicap, beaten by half a length to run second. After settling mid-field and travelling well at the top of the home straight, this daughter of Rock ‘N’ Pop raced in limited room before getting clear running room in the final 150m to fly home late. Even though the Steven O’Dea & Matthew Hoysted-trained mare was first-up, she ran very well and appears to have returned in fine style for this preparation.
When to bet: Fleetwood Maca has a solid second-up record with two wins and one third from three starts, so wherever she goes next start over 1300m or 1400m in a similar grade, she should be very hard to beat.
Race 4: Listed Lightning Handicap (1000m) | Time: 0:57.22
- Horse to follow: Deepour (3rd)
Adam Campton threw his talented five-year-old gelding Deepour into the deep end to start his second racing preparation under his care, as he took on Listed grade for the first time. The son of Exosphere returned from a three-month spell with a third-place finish behind Petronius and Athelric after running on from the back of the field and clocking 33.92 seconds for his last 600m. After putting together four straight wins to end his last campaign, it is clear that he has a lot of talent and will be in for another strong preparation this time in.
When to bet: Deepour has a good record at 1000m; however, the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic over 1200m at Ipswich on June 17 appears to be the next step for this gelding. If Campton chooses to wait another week and go to Eagle Farm, we could see him in the Group 3 WJ Healy Stakes over 1200m. Either way, we will backing him in.
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