Last Saturday, we had racing action across the country but no feature racing, in what was one of the last weekends without any Group or Listed races before the autumn carnivals heat up. From the Flemington and Rosehill meetings, we have found three runners that are worth following next start, and should go into your Blackbook with your chosen bookmaker.
Flemington
Rail position: +9m Entire Circuit
Race 8: Benchmark 70 Handicap (2000m) | Time: 2:03.08
- Horse to follow: Lauding (2nd)
Since being sent over from New Zealand to join the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace stable, Lauding has produced two impressive performances from three starts. Last Saturday, this four-year-old gelding settled last in a strung-out field and had to make up significant ground in an attempt to run down the tearaway leader, Aramco. This son of Proisir clocked the fastest 200m sectionals from the 1600m mark of the race, and even though he was beaten by 2.25 lengths on the line, he showed that 2000m plus will suit him down to the ground.
When to bet: The Maher & Eustace team will look to find a similar contest over 2000m or slightly further fourth-up for this campaign, and if he can produce a run much like his most recent start, Lauding should go very close to breaking his maiden in Australia.
Race 10: Benchmark 70 Handicap (1000m) | Time: 0:56.16
- Horse to follow: Johnny Rocker (2nd)
On his debut in Victoria for the Nick Ryan stable, Johnny Rocker went within a length of pulling off a very impressive training performance. The ex-Queenslander ran home from midfield to finish second behind Mornington Glory. The four-year-old entire was a Listed winner in Brisbane before being sent down to Ryan from Barry Lockwood, and he showed his potential with a strong showing up the Flemington straight. This son of Jukebox ran home in the fastest last 200m sectional of the entire meeting, stopping the clock at 11.13 seconds from the 200m mark to the winning post.
When to bet: Johnny Rocker contested the Listed Gold Edition Plate two starts back over 1200m, so we anticipate that Nick Ryan and his team will step him up in trip next start. If the stable can find a 1200m race in BM70 or BM78 grade, Johnny Rocker should be able to tick off his first Victorian win in no time at all.
Rosehill
Rail position: +3m entire circuit
Race 1: 2YO Handicap (1100m) | Time: 1:03.50
- Horse to follow: Tartaglia (3rd)
Two Godolphin debutants stepped out in the opening race at Rosehill last Saturday, with the better of the two, Tartaglia, running into third place from the back of the field. This son of Too Darn Hot settled near last before getting a nice run up the inside and letting down with a strong finishing burst, recording the fastest last 600m sectional of the race and the 12th fastest of the meeting. Although this two-year-old colt was beaten by 3.3 lengths on the line, James Cummings may have another decent colt on his hands going into the autumn carnival.
When to bet: After running on so strong at the end of 1100m, Cummings and his team will most likely step Tartaglia up in distance to 1200m next start, where we expect him to be hard to beat after a good debut.
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