Caulfield and Newcastle took centre stage last Saturday, while the summer carnivals for Western Australia and Queensland kicked off at Ascot and the Sunshine Coast, respectively. In this week’s edition of the Follow Files, HorseBetting.com.au highlights three runners from the weekend that look poised to make an impact this preparation.
Sunshine Coast
Rail position: True entire circuit
Race 1: Two-Year-Old Handicap (1000m) | Time: 0:58.39
- Horse to follow: Poster Girl (1st)
The opening race at the Sunshine Coast may have featured the best performance of any runner on the program, with the Chris Munce-trained Poster Girl running home from the back of the field to record a very impressive debut victory. This two-year-old filly showed an electric turn of foot in the final 300m to make up over six lengths on the leader and run straight past her in the final strides. This daughter of Alabama Express rattled off an outstanding 35.24 last 600m sectional and will have taken a lot of benefit from her debut performance.
When to bet: With the Magic Millions Carnival only six weeks away, Munce will have to decide whether this girl keeps running or if he puts her away for a little spell. If he decides to keep her racing, the Listed Calaway Gal on December 9 over 1000m looks like an ideal race for Poster Girl second-up.
Race 8: Open Handicap (1000m) | Time: 0:57.10
- Horse to follow: Nettuno (1st)
Nettuno from the Tony Gollan stable returned in an Open Handicap last Saturday after having 12 months off the racetrack. This son of I Am Invincible was a very good two-year-old in Queensland and was sent down south to take on the best Sydney and Melbourne three-year-olds, placing at Group 3 level and running in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes. This four-year-old entire went around at the Sunshine Coast as a +2000 outsider with online bookmakers, which looked massive overs when he burst clear in the final 150m to run away with a two-length victory.
When to bet: The Group 3 George Moore Stakes over 1200m at Doomben on December 2 should be a great stepping stone for Nettuno. If Gollan chooses to keep him on the short course, the Listed Bribie Handicap seven days later at Eagle Farm appears to be the likely target.
Caulfield
Rail position: True entire circuit
Race 2: Benchmark 84 Handicap (1400m) | Time: 1:23.86
- Horse to follow: Meridius (4th)
After a good performance first-up, the Lloyd Kennewell & Lucy Yeomans-trained Meridius went to Caulfield last Saturday with expectations of a strong showing. However, Mark Zahra chose to settle at the back of the field on the fence, and after making ground along the inside rail, he ran into a wall of horses at the top of the home straight. Although this son of Extreme Choice got some clear air on the inside of the runner-up, he went over the line hard-held and never really got a crack at them in the final 150m.
When to bet: After failing at the 1600m as a three-year-old, it appears that the stable is reluctant to go past 1400m with Meridius, so the next target for this gelding should be a Benchmark 84 Handicap over 1400m at Ballarat on December 9.
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