Last Saturday, a few horses with lofty spring ambitions kicked off their preparations. In this week’s edition of the Follow Files, we have found three runners that we will be keeping an eye on after strong performances on the weekend.
Moonee Valley
Rail position: +5m entire circuit
Race 1: 2YO Colts & Geldings Handicap (1000m) | Time: 0:59.76
- Horse to follow: Roussillon (6th)
Roussillon from the Godolphin yard was heavily backed into favouritism before the opening race at Moonee Valley on Saturday; however, he missed the jump slightly and settled in the back half of the field. As it turned out, it was very hard to win that day from outside the top four upon settling. Although this son of Exceed And Excel ran home in the fastest 800m, 600m and 400m of the entire program, he had no chance of winning the race.
When to bet: After a very nice win at Gosford first-up this preparation and a complete forgive run at Moonee Valley, Roussillon is a gelding we will be following as he begins his three-year-old season in the coming weeks.
Race 7: Travis Harrision Cup Open Handicap (1600m) | Time: 1:37.82
- Horse to follow: Interpretation (3rd)
After failing to finish in the 2022 Melbourne Cup, the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained Interpretation returned to the racetrack for his very first attempt at 1600m. Considering he sat on-speed at all three of his starts before the Melbourne Cup last campaign, there was a clear tactical change as this son of Gallileo was settled second last. The six-year-old gelding kicked off his spring preparation with a slashing run along the rail to finish in third place, over a distance that was short of his best.
When to bet: After finishing off his race with a blistering turn of foot, Interpretation appears to have changed his racing style and adapted to Australian racing. There is another Benchmark 100 Handicap at Moonee Valley over 2040m on August 12, and if the Maher & Eustace stable chooses to go there, we will be following.
Randwick
Rail position: +5m entire circuit
Race 7: Benchmark 72 Handicap (1100m) | Time: 1:03.36
- Horse to follow: Smashing Eagle (3rd)
Since changing trainers from Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes to Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou earlier this year, Smashing Eagle has had three runs in Sydney. Last Saturday’s effort was the best of those runs, finishing in third place – beaten just under a length by the undefeated Mogo Magic. His last 600m split of 33.37 seconds was the second-fastest final 600m sectional for the meeting.
When to bet: After failing at Rosehill and Kensington course at Randwick, which are tighter tracks, we expect that Ryan & Alexiou will keep Smashing Eagle on the bigger track at Randwick. Going into his fourth start for the preparation, he appears ready to step up to 1200m next time out.
Latest horse racing tips
