Last Saturday, Turnbull Stakes Day at Flemington and Epsom Day at Randwick took centre stage as the headline horse racing meetings. From Flemington and Randwick, we have found three runners that performed very well and are worth following throughout the spring. You can add these runners to your blackbook and receive updates when they are scheduled to run again.
Randwick
Rail position: +3m entire circuit
Race 10: Benchmark 94 Handicap (1200m) | Time: 1:09.97
- Horse to follow: Port Lockroy (3rd)
Following a luckless campaign during the autumn and winter, Port Lockroy returned for his third racing preparation in the final race of the day. The Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald-trained entire couldn’t draw a barrier throughout his last preparation; however, the son of Better Than Ready drew barrier one last weekend, and he was able to show his ability, albeit over 1200m. After settling midfield on the fence, Tom Sherry took inside runs on his mount before bursting through a split behind the winner to charge home for third place.
When to bet: Port Lockroy finished second in the Gunsynd Classic over 1600m during winter, so 1200m was expected to be too short for him first-up. With a nomination in the Golden Eagle, expect to see this guy in the Silver Eagle (1300m) at Randwick on October 19, where he will play a massive role.
Flemington
Rail position: +9m entire circuit
Race 2: Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes (1000m) | Time: 0:58.40
- Horse to follow: Tremonti (1st)
Tremonti was very impressive on debut, when the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained colt picked himself up off the canvas to claim victory in the Maribyrnong Trial Stakes. The son of Hellbent was also having his first look down the Flemington straight, and after leading the field throughout the 1000m journey, he was clearly headed and fell behind by half a length in the final 200m. However, when Jye McNeil asked for more of an effort, his colt found more, kicked back on the fence to regain the lead, and claimed the win.
When to bet: Gai Waterhouse mentioned post-race that Tremonti would most likely go out for a spell after his win, but she also said that they could target the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate on Melbourne Cup Day.
Race 6: Listed Paris Lane Stakes (1400m) | Time: 1:23.14
- Horse to follow: Plenty Of Ammo (2nd)
Plenty Of Ammo had her winning streak end at four after receiving very little luck in the Paris Lane Stakes at Flemington, where she kicked off her third racing preparation. The lightly raced six-year-old mare has built an impressive record (6:4-1-0) throughout her career, and her runner-up finish in her first Listed race showed that she has plenty of untapped ability. The daughter of Rebel Raider settled in the box seat behind the speed but struggled to find a gap in the home straight. Once a small gap appeared, Harry Coffey pushed her through, and Plenty Of Ammo savaged the line in the final 100m.
When to bet: Plento Of Ammo is nominated for the Seymour Cup on Sunday and The Weekend Hussler at Caulfield on Saturday. Wherever Symon Wilde places his mare, she will prove very hard to beat if she holds her form second-up.
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