Last Saturday, the key lead-ups for some of the spring’s biggest races headlined the meetings at Caulfield and Randwick. With a look ahead to the Victoria and Sydney carnivals, we have found three runners that are expected to feature prominently after strong performances early in their preparation.
Randwick
Rail position: True entire circuit
Race 9: Group 2 Shorts (1100m) | Time: 1:02.40
- Horse to follow: Stefi Magnetica (2nd)
The Bjorn Baker-trained mare Stefi Magnetica won the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap in Queensland at the end of her winter campaign, and she proved it was no fluke with a strong performance in the Group 2 Shorts at Randwick on Saturday. Zac Lloyd couldn’t have given her a better ride, settling on the rail at the rear of the field before picking them up in the final 400m. The daughter of All Too Hard had to wait for an inside run behind I Am Me before putting in a dive on the line to just miss in a photo finish.
When to bet: Stefi Magnetica holds a nomination for the Golden Eagle on November 2, so it is expected that she will have one more run before the target race. The Group 3 Nivision over 1200m at Rosehill on October 12 looks like the ideal race for her next.
Race 6: Group 3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) | Time: 1:22.36
- Horse to follow: Gringotts (2nd)
Following his undefeated autumn preparation, Gringotts returned at Randwick and took on Group 3 company for the first time in the Bill Ritchie Handicap. The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding won at Listed grade before going out for a spell, and he nearly landed a Group 3 first-up but was just nosed out by Mchale. Held up until the 300m mark, Gringotts savaged the line but couldn’t quite reel in the winner.
When to bet: Although Gringotts holds a nomination for the Group 1 Epsom Handicap, he may not get into the race due to his rating. However, he would be very hard to beat in the Group 3 Moonga Stakes at Caulfield on October 19 if the stable chose to target that race.
Caulfield
Rail position: +6m entire circuit
Race 10: 4YO Open Mares Handicap (1200m) | Time: 1:10.55
- Horse to follow: Revolutionary Miss (3rd)
Revolutionary Miss kicked off her career under new trainer Ciaron Maher at Caulfield, where the daughter of Russian Revolution was beaten by less than a length over 1200m. Damian Lane settled his mount on the fence in the middle of the pack before picking a way through the field in the final 300m to finish in the placings. This five-year-old mare has done her best work over 1400m to 1600m throughout her career, so it was encouraging to see her perform so well first-up.
When to bet: Revolutionary Miss has performed at her best against her own sex, so the Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes over 1400m at Flemington on October 5 looks like the best race for her second-up.
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