Across the New Year holiday period, we saw feature racing at Doomben and Moonee Valley on Saturday, while the first Group and Listed races of 2024 were run and won at Flemington and Ascot on New Year’s Day on Monday. In this week’s edition of The Follow Files, we have found three runners from those key meetings that are worth adding to your Blackbook with your chosen bookmaker, so that you can follow them at their next start.
Moonee Valley
Rail position: True entire circuit
Race 8: Benchmark 70 Handicap (2040m) | Time: 2:06.80
- Horse to follow: Galilaeus (6th)
On his Australian debut for Anthony & Sam Freedman, Galilaeus was one of the better runs in defeat in the 2040m Benchmark 70 Handicap at Moonee Valley. This four-year-old gelding settled near last for most of the journey before picking his way through the pack in the final 400m to run over the line hard-held and finish in sixth place. With his two wins coming over 2313m and 2816m in Europe, this son of Galileo was a little short of his best at 2040m first-up but will appreciate a rise in distance second-up.
When to bet: The Freedman’s will be seeking a 2400m race for Galilaeus second-up and the Benchmark 64 Handicap at Sandown on January 10 could be the ideal race. If the team chooses to go up in class, they could go to the Benchmark 84 Handicap over 2500m at Flemington on January 20.
Doomben
Rail position: +3m entire circuit
Race 8: Listed Nudgee Stakes (1200m) | Time: 1:09.31
- Horse to follow: Comrade Rosa (3rd)
If you backed Comrade Rosa in the Nudgee Stakes, you would be excused if a few expletives came from your mouth post-race, because this mare was one of the worst beats of the weekend. Ryan Maloney took the race favourite to the back of the field and looked to run on in the final 400m. However, the Tony Gollan-trained galloper was held up upon straightening before having to make two separate runs in the final 200m to flash home through the pack and nab third place. Comrade Rosa was only beaten by 1.36 lengths by the winner, Lady Laguna, who received a dream run along the inside rail.
When to bet: It is possible that Saturday’s unlucky run could have been her last for this preparation because the feature racing in Queensland will end on Magic Millions Day at the Gold Coast on January 13. Comrade Rosa is one horse to put in your Blackbook for when she returns in the autumn or winter in a few months’ time.
Flemington (January 1)
Rail position: True entire circuit
Race 6: Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m) | Time: 2:54.94
- Horse to follow: Grand Pierro (3rd)
Grand Pierro tackled his first Listed race out of three-year-old company on Monday when he competed in the Listed Bagot Handicap over 2800m. It was the first time that he had run over 2500m since competing in the VRC Derby during the 2022 Victorian Spring Carnival. The Jason Warren-trained gelding was given a great ride by Craig Williams in the Bagot Handicap and ran through the line strongly to finish in the placings. It was a good sign to see this four-year-old finish off his race so well, and it should see him take on races over more distance next campaign.
When to bet: Grand Pierro has had a lengthy spring preparation, with his run in the Bagot Handicap being his eighth start over five months. If he doesn’t go out for a spell and competes in a similar race over 2500m plus, we will be backing him with confidence.
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