On Saturday, we had many of the nation’s racecourses holding their final meeting for 2022. Most of the metropolitan tracks in action featured Listed or Group races — except for Randwick, although it still held a strong meeting.
The Follow Files this week highlights the runs of three more runners that we suggest tracking to their next start and beyond. All have come from different tracks, with one from each of Randwick, Flemington and Ascot. All three of the featured tracks raced similarly, where it was beneficial to be on pace, with a lot of the races being won by horses that settled in the first five or six.
Ascot – Family Christmas Raceday
Track rating: Good 4
Rail position: +5m entire circuit
Race 6: Listed Starstruck Classic (1600m) | Time: 1:36.61
- Horse to follow: Alsephina (1st)
In the Listed Starstruck Classic, the Grant & Alana Williams-trained Alsephina took her win streak to five and her career record to eight wins from 10 starts. On Saturday, this four-year-old mare registered her first black-type victory over 1600m, where she sat on-speed in the one-one position before idling up to the leaders on the home turn and kicking clear. Even though she won by an official margin of 0.66 lengths, she did it easily and was ridden upside down by William Pike to suit the on-pace dominant track.
When to bet: This mare is well above average, and it is easy to see. Not many horses can win eight of their first 10 races and step up in class every start. After winning the Listed Starstruck Classic on Saturday, her preparation could be over and she could go out for a spell. Keep an eye out for her when she returns, as she will continue to grow and get stronger with another break after this long campaign.
Flemington – Kensington Stakes Raceday
Track rating: Good 4
Rail position: True entire circuit
Race 5: Benchmark 84 Handicap (1200m) | Time: 1:09.15
- Horse to follow: Dance To Dubai (3rd)
In the Benchmark 84 Handicap down the famous Flemington straight, Dance To Dubai from the Peter Moody yard was second-up for the campaign after running at Pakenham on December 3. It is fair to say that this five-year-old mare wasn’t supported on Saturday, as she jumped a $20 roughie with online bookmakers; however, she didn’t run like a roughie. This daughter of Pride Of Dubai flew up the inside as the rest of the field congregated down the middle of the straight, only to go down by a long neck behind Invincible Caviar and My Yankee Girl.
When to bet: If Moody and his team can place Dance To Dubai in another Benchmark 84 Handicap over 1200m or 1300m, this girl looks like she is ready to show her best when third-up next start. This mare hasn’t had more than two starts in preparation throughout her career, so she might go out for a break now; however, if she does stay in work, it will be a positive for her followers.
Randwick – Christmas Raceday
Track rating: Good 4
Rail position: +5m entire circuit
Race 5: Benchmark 78 Handicap (1000m) | Time: 0:56.06
- Horse to follow: Vowmaster (2nd)
Vowmaster, from the Chris Waller yard, made his return to racing after having a 20-month spell, with his last race being on April 17, 2021. On Saturday, punters didn’t pile money onto this five-year-old gelding, due to the long layoff, but he nearly made everyone look silly with a huge run on return. This son of Written Tycoon settled in the second half of the field and would have been at least seven lengths off the leaders as the field straightened for the run home. When Brenton Avdulla asked him for an effort, this guy responded and burst through a tight gap before just going down in a head-bobber to Our Bellagio Miss.
When to bet: Considering Vowmaster has had such a long break, we expect Waller and his team to give this gelding a longer break between runs, so we may not see him until the Magic Millions weekend on the Gold Coast. However, if we see him in a race in Sydney over 1100m or 1200m before then, we will be backing him.
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