As the Melbourne and Sydney autumn carnivals continue, Caulfield and Rosehill took centre stage last Saturday, with feature racing taking place throughout the meetings. In this week’s edition of The Follow Files, we have found three runners that kicked off their preparations with strong performances, even though they didn’t win. You can add these runners to your blackbook with your chosen bookmaker and receive notifications before they run.
Caulfield
Rail position: +6m entire circuit
Race 2: Gold Distaff (1400m) | Time: 1:23.67
- Horse to follow: Regal Vow (3rd)
Regal Vow from the Charlotte Littlefield stable returned from an 11-week spell at Caulfield, where she went sent around as a +150 favourite with horse racing bookmakers. The daughter of Swear has only won once when fresh, and after she missed the jump slightly, conditions were against her throughout the 1400m journey. Craig Williams attempted to get going at the 400m mark, but with the leaders holding a five-length margin on her, she was never going to catch them late.
When to bet: Regal Vow is three from three when second-up throughout her career, and after such a strong finish over 1400m, a rise to 1600m on a bigger track will suit her perfectly next start.
Race 3: Mystic Journey (1100m) | Time: 1:03.45
- Horse to follow: Roll On High (2nd)
Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman had three runners in the third race at Caulfield, and their best result was Roll On High, who had to give all of her rivals weight and finished second over 1100m first-up. The daughter of Shamus Award was attempting 1100m for the first time, but found the trip too short after rattling home from the back of the field. The four-year-old mare recorded the fastest last 800m (44.27s), 600m (33.33s), 400m (22.10s), and 200m (11.38s) sections of the entire meeting.
When to bet: The stable will have a lot of options for Roll On High second-up, but if they find a similar grade of race over 1200m or 1400m, she will be a great bet.
Rosehill
Rail position: True entire circuit
Race 10: Benchmark 88 Handicap (1400m) | Time: 1:21.87
- Horse to follow: Harlem Queen (3rd)
Group 1 placegetter Harlem Queen returned from an 18-week spell at Rosehill on Saturday afternoon, and the Nathan Doyle-trained filly caught the eye with her final 200m section over 1400m. James McDonald settled the daughter of Brutal at the back of the field and chose to swing out wide to the middle of the track before letting her finish off. Even though she finished third, 1400m looked way too short for her.
When to bet: With so many options in Sydney, it is expected that Doyle and his team will enter Harlem Queen to a 1600m race second up, which will be an ideal set up for her.
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