MA SERVICES GRAND HANDICAP
Results
Another wide-open affair. MAKDANE (3) is flying and sets up well here. His past two starts since a Caulfield win have been good, only beaten by the highly progressive Zambardo last start who would surely be favourite here. Drawn barrier one again, he lands on speed, likes soft ground and will take plenty of getting past. HOT TOO GO (12) notched up his second career win when last seen at Moonee Valley, given a good ride there but beating a well-backed favourite in Amleto. Gets Damian Lane on here and can challenge. PARTY CRASHER (10) is only second up from 1400m but will be fitter for that and showed plenty of ability as a 3yo. Would've loved one more run for him but he's worth keeping an eye on. NEARING LIBERTY (9) continues to race well this time in, good behind a smart mare at Caulfield last time out. He's unplaced at 2000m but wasn't far away last time he saw the trip and he appears to be looking for it now. QUELLO DORATO (19) is lightly raced and can measure up.
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At the latest run 8th of 14 at Hamilton Hton Cup on October 11 over 2200m, on a slow track; 8 len behind Navy King with 60.5kg at $31. The race before that 6th of 9 at Benalla Blla Cup on September 26 over 2100m, 3 len behind Plymouth carrying 54.5kg at $26. Disappointing of late and looks safely held.
Second-up. First-up after five months got back early in a small field at Sandown-Hillside Bm78 on October 1 over 1600m, 4 len behind Shockletz with 57.5kg at $31. Previously second-up ran on from midfield; 2nd of 9 at Cranbourne Bm64 on June 23 2024 over 2025m, slow going 4.5 len behind Speranzoso with 61kg at $2.90. Fitter, some hope.
Recent form sound. At the latest run sat on the pace when 2nd of 10 at Caulfield Bm78 on October 15 over 2000m, 1.3 len behind Zambardo carrying 59kg at $5. Before that held ground to the line 3rd of 9 at Sandown-Hillside Bm78 on September 27 over 1800m, long-neck behind Farhh Flung with 59kg at $4.80. Working up to a win. Flying, will take catching.
Most recently won by a head at Hamilton Hton Cup October 11 over 2200m on a soft track defeating Chasing Aphrodite with 55kg at $5. The race before that raced behind the speed prior to fading 7th of 10 at this track Bm70 on September 21 over 2550m, 10 len behind Highland Bling with 61.5kg at $7.50. Chance for the double.
Last start won by 0.5 len at Horsham Hrshm Cup October 19 over 2100m defeating Tikemyson carrying 54kg at $10. The race before that raced on the pace before fading ran last of 12 at Coleraine Colr Cup on September 26 over 1800m, 10 len behind Commander Harry carrying 57kg at $9.50. Happy to pass.
Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming 11th of 13 at Caulfield Bm74 on August 16 over 1800m, on a slow track; 6 len behind Makdane with 59kg at $101. Second run from a spell ran last of 14 at Hamilton Hton Cup on October 11 over 2200m, slow going 26 len behind Navy King carrying 57kg at $21. Not going well enough.
At the latest run tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 1.75 len at Cranbourne F&M Hcp October 10 over 2025m defeating Saxon Beauty with 55kg at $3.30. The run before that raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 7 at this track Mares Bm78 on September 21 over 1800m, 1.75 len behind She's A Hustler carrying 56.5kg at $20. Going well, can measure up.
Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming 7th of 9 at Sandown-Hillside Bm78 on September 27 over 1800m, 6 len behind Farhh Flung with 54.5kg at $26. Second-up 8th of 10 at Caulfield Bm78 on October 15 over 2000m, 8 len behind Zambardo carrying 57.5kg at $31. Prefer in something easier.
Recent form sound. At the latest run ran on from midfield; 3rd of 12 at Caulfield Bm80 Grand Hcp on October 11 over 1700m, 0.6 len behind Blindedbythelight carrying 57.5kg at $8. The race before that crossed from a wide gate to settle just off the pace but gave ground when 2nd of 13 at this track Bm70 on September 21 over 1630m, nose behind Gala Queen with 60.5kg at $18. Going well, can give a sight.
Second run back. First-up after five months sat on the speed throughout before fading 8th of 16 at Murray Bridge Bm72 on October 11 over 1400m, 2.5 len behind Dual Pressure with 59kg at $6. Previously second-up won by 1.5 len at Strathalbyn 3yo+ Mdn-Sw March 26 over 1600m on a rain affected track defeating I Run On Air carrying 57kg at $2. Much better placed up in trip, wary.
Comes off a 44 day let-up. At the latest run 7th of 11 at this track Bm70 on September 21 over 2000m, 2.5 len behind Federer carrying 60kg at $26. The race before that 6th of 14 at Sandown-Hillside Bm70 on September 10 over 1800m, 4.5 len behind Autumn Slide with 60.5kg at $20. Others read better. Minor place hope.
Most recently won by 0.5 len at Moonee Valley Bm70 October 24 over 2040m defeating Amleto carrying 56kg at $6. The run before that 7th of 12 at Caulfield Bm80 Grand Hcp on October 11 over 1700m, 4.5 len behind Blindedbythelight carrying 53kg at $7. Can go on with it here.
At the latest run 7th of 10 at Geelong Bm70 on October 23 over 1700m, slow going 6 len behind Sigiriya Rock with 59kg at $7.50. The run before that 4th of 10 at Moonee Valley Bm66 on October 3 over 1600m, 2 len behind So Brave carrying 61kg at $8.50. Tough draw but can sneak into the finish.
Recent form sound. Last start favourite; came from midfield and won by 1.0 len at Pakenham Bm66 October 17 over 2000m in soft going defeating Gates with 58kg at $4. The start before that favourite; ran on from midfield and won by 3 len at Mornington Bm70 September 28 over 2015m defeating Maputo carrying 54kg at $2.70. More depth here but is flying.
Most recently led to the turn then faded 7th of 12 at Pakenham Bm66 on October 17 over 2000m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Giggenbach carrying 59.5kg at $8.50. The run before that ran on from midfield and won by 1.0 len at Benalla Bm62 September 26 over 2100m defeating Overloaded with 59.5kg at $2.60. Risking on latest.
Last start second last of 12 at Caulfield Bm80 Grand Hcp on October 11 over 1700m, 8 len behind Blindedbythelight carrying 53kg at $16. The start before that won by 0.5 len at Geelong Bm62 October 2 over 1765m on a rain affected track defeating Storm Ahead carrying 57kg at $5.50. This might be too rich.
Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. First-up 7th of 12 at Hamilton Bm70 on October 11 over 1600m, on a slow track; 5 len behind Barbie'sdreamworld carrying 58.5kg at $6.50. Second-up raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 5th of 10 at Geelong Bm70 on October 23 over 1700m, slow going 6 len behind Sigiriya Rock carrying 58.5kg at $4.80. Fitter again, in the mix.
At the latest run 8th of 12 at Pakenham Bm66 on October 17 over 2000m, slow going 4 len behind Giggenbach with 60.5kg at $7.50. The run before that 3rd of 12 at Sandown-Hillside Bm66 on September 24 over 1800m, 4 len behind Shiny New Deel with 60.5kg at $41. Hard to see him winning this with form like that.
Last start 3rd of 10 at Geelong Bm70 on October 23 over 1700m, slow going 2.25 len behind Sigiriya Rock with 57kg at $6.50. The start before that sat on the pace before fading 11th of 14 at Bendigo Bm66 on October 5 over 1500m, 8 len behind Sister Shay with 59.5kg at $6.50. Should be thereabouts.
Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming got back early 10th of 14 at Bendigo Bm66 on October 5 over 1500m, 7 len behind Sister Shay with 59.5kg at $7. Second-up 4th of 10 at Geelong Bm70 on October 23 over 1700m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind Sigiriya Rock with 57.5kg at $12. A bit to find.