Last weekend, Group 1 racing returned to Sydney as the Winx Stakes headlined the massive 10-race program at Randwick, while black-type racing featured at Moonee Valley. In this week’s edition of The Follow Files, we have found three runners that performed well in one of the many feature races in Melbourne and Sydney. Add these runners to your blackbook with your chosen bookmaker and receive notifications when they run next.
Moonee Valley
Rail position: +5m entire circuit
Race 4: 3YO Fillies (Set Weights + Penalties) (1200m) | Time: 1:12.18
- Horse to follow: Photograph (2nd)
Photograph from the Godolphin stable was one of the worst beats for punters last Saturday afternoon at Moonee Valley, as the three-year-old filly flashed home down the outside to finish in second place behind Immortal Star. Jamie Kah rode the daughter of Blue Point and appeared as though she didn’t want to push the button until the home turn, which was evidently too late. Although the filly was second last and slightly strung up in traffic at the 400m, Photograph exploded down the heart of the track and was the only horse to make up ground in her race.
When to bet: Following two impressive wins in mid-week grade, Photograph showed that she is up to Saturday grade last weekend. If James Cummings can find a race for her on a bigger track, she can return to the winners circle with a similar performance.
Race 8: Listed Carlyon Stakes Stakes (1000m) | Time: 0:58.47
- Horse to follow: Sans Doute (3rd)
Sans Doute returned from a four-month spell in the feature race of the day at The Valley, and she performed admirably first-up for Mark Walker. The daughter of Not A Single Doubt ended last campaign with a runner-up finish in the Group 3 John Hawkes Stakes, and many tipped her to be a knockout hope in the Carlyon Stakes. After settling at the rear of the field, Michael Dee couldn’t have given this mare a better ride, and she recorded the fastest last 800m (44.59s), 600m (34.04s), 400m (22.76s), and 200m (11.43s) sections of the meeting.
When to bet: Sans Doute won four races on the bounce at Flemington during the summer and autumn carnivals, so it is expected that the stable will target races at her favourite track. The Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) on September 14 could be the next target.
Randwick
Rail position: +3m entire circuit
Race 7: Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m) | Time: 1:09.80
- Horse to follow: Democracy Manifest (4th)
Democracy Manifest may have been beaten by 3.85 lengths first-up in the Show County Quality; however, Joliestar defeated the rest of the field by 2.9 lengths, and 1200m was well short of his best trip. The Chris Waller-trained galloper was given a quiet ride at the back of the field before picking his way through the pack in the final 400m. With only three horses behind him at the 200m mark, the son of Flying Artie motored late to burst through the pack and smash through the line in fourth place.
When to bet: Waller and his team will be happy with the fresh run over 1200m and a rise to 1400m second-up should give Democracy Manifest event chance go a couple better. The Group 2 Tramway Stakes on September 7 looks like the ideal race next.
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