MELBOURNE CUP CARNIVAL, FANCY A GALLOP
Open race down the straight. SUN SETTING (12) is a handy mare for the Matt Laurie yard who has been tested against some good company over the Winter. 1200m was possibly a touch sharp two back but coming back to 1000m at Sandown Hillside last time was suitable and she won well. 1100m here looks good and she should track the speed out wide. DEEPFLOAT DIVA (5) continues to race consistently over the short course trips, working home well in a stronger race behind the speedy Tonkin last time out. 1100m is no issue and he'll be hard to hold out. PRINZERRO (7) resumes. This is perhaps on the shorter side but his best form reads very well and he has to be included. MCKEYLA (13) wasn't far away fresh and has each way claims. BALASTIER (16) has won both starts this time in and looks progressive.
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Last start raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by a head at Riccarton Park Hcp August 30 over 1000m in soft going defeating Third Decree with 54.5kg at $10.60. The run before that 6th of 9 at Riccarton Park Rating 75 on August 9 over 1200m, in the wet; 6 len behind Cypress carrying 57.5kg at $12.10. Risking.
Resuming after a break of eight months. Finished off last campaign when last of 9 at Sandown-Lakeside Bm84 January 25 over 1600m, 7 len behind Smokin' Princess with 56kg at $41. When resuming last campaign eighth of 11 at Pakenham Bm84 December 21 over 1400m, 7 len behind The Open with 58kg at $61. Will take great benefit from this run.
Second-up. First-up after four months 12th of 15 at Eagle Farm Cg&E Bm78 on August 23 over 1200m, slow going 5 len behind About To Explode with 58.5kg at $41. Previously second-up 4th of 9 at Ipswich Cl5 on April 9 over 1350m, on a slow track; 2 len behind Quothquan with 60kg at $9.50. That run was a bit plain so prefer him later on.
At the latest run rolled along in front then was edged out late 2nd of 11 at Sandown-Hillside Bm66 on September 3 over 1000m, neck behind Trapeze Warrior with 60.5kg at $9.50. The run before that 7th of 11 at Moonee Valley Bm74 on August 9 over 1000m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Don't Hope Do carrying 60kg at $18. Good effort last time ? right in contention.
Racing well recently. Last start 4th of 10 at Sandown-Hillside Bm78 on August 27 over 1000m, on a slow track; 2.75 len behind Tonkin with 57kg at $4.20. The race before that 2nd of 11 at Moonee Valley Bm74 on August 9 over 1000m, on a slow track; head behind Don't Hope Do with 58.5kg at $5. Going well and looks a key chance.
Returns from a 32-day let-up. Last start 7th of 13 at Sandown-Lakeside Bm70 on August 20 over 1200m, 2.5 len behind Princess Que carrying 60.5kg at $9. The start before that came home strongly from last on the turn; 4th of 10 at Caulfield Bm78 on July 26 over 1100m, on a slow track; 1.4 len behind Pop Award with 53.5kg at $21. Not the worst.
Gelding back from a spell of four-and-a-half months. Has placed previously first up from a break. Finished off last campaign sixth of 9 at Morphettville Parks Bm72 May 17 over 1300m, 4.5 len behind Colmar with 57.5kg at $3. Previously first up; ninth of 12 at Sandown-Lakeside Bm70 January 29 over 1200m, 2.75 len behind Intrepid Eagle with 59kg at $12. Looks forward enough after a recent trial win. Has the ability to take this out.
Mare back from a spell of seven months. Has placed previously first up from a break. Finished off last preparation sixth of 9 at Caulfield in the G3 Zeditave February 22 over 1200m, 4.5 len behind Tropicus carrying 54kg at $13. Previously first up; 11th of 14 at this track in the G3 Red Roses November 7 over 1100m, 5.5 len behind Amelita carrying 55kg at $26. Has claims if presented on song.
Last start won by 0.8 len at Sandown-Hillside F&M Bm70 August 27 over 1000m on a rain affected track defeating Per Sempre with 59kg at $2.70. Before that eased back early on 7th of 10 at Sandown-Hillside Bm70 on July 30 over 1000m, on a slow track; 2.25 len behind Dreamzel with 57kg at $3.20. Right in this.
Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming 10th of 12 at Caulfield Bm74 on August 16 over 1100m, slow going 4.5 len behind Epic Proportions with 57.5kg at $31. Last start ran last of 9 at Moonee Valley Bm84 on September 6 over 1200m, 4.5 len behind La Fracas carrying 54kg at $81. Prefer to see her find something before backing.
At the latest run won by 2.25 len at Balaklava Bm68 September 10 over 1200m on a soft track defeating Littlebourkestreet with 55.5kg at $6. The start before that came from midfield; 4th of 16 at Morphettville Bm64 on August 30 over 1200m, slow going 0.6 len behind Cash carrying 56.5kg at $12. Cannot enthuse.
Racing well recently. Most recently favourite; won by 1.3 len at Sandown-Hillside Mares Bm70 September 3 over 1000m defeating Lovelycut carrying 58kg at $3.20. Before that sat on the pace when 3rd of 13 at Sandown-Lakeside Bm70 on August 20 over 1200m, 1.2 len behind Princess Que carrying 56kg at $4.40. Can go on with it now.
Second-up. First-up after four months 5th of 7 at Sandown-Hillside F&M Bm70 on August 27 over 1000m, slow going 3 len behind Jennyanydots with 60.5kg at $2.35. Previously second-up 3rd of 11 at this track 3yo F Bm74 on January 18 over 1100m, 1.2 len behind Reluctantlycharmed carrying 54kg at $8. Strips fitter and is worth following up.
Second run back. First-up after four months 8th of 10 at Sandown-Hillside Mares Bm70 on September 3 over 1000m, 5 len behind Sun Setting carrying 60kg at $14. Previously second-up 2nd of 12 at Bendigo 0 - 58 on February 15 over 1100m, 0.8 len behind My Boy Nick carrying 54kg at $5. Fitter but see again.
Racing well recently. Most recently came home strongly from last on the turn; 4th of 7 at Sandown-Hillside F&M Bm70 on September 10 over 1000m, 5 len behind Stokke with 60kg at $12. The race before that 2nd of 7 at Sandown-Hillside F&M Bm70 on August 27 over 1000m, on a slow track; 0.8 len behind Jennyanydots with 60kg at $14. Racing okay, could sneak into the finish.
Third-up today. First-up favourite; won by 1.75 len at Seymour Cl1 August 15 over 1100m on a soft track defeating Porsha Crystal with 58.5kg at $5. Last start favourite; won by 2.25 len at Bendigo Bm62 September 7 over 1100m in heavy going defeating Areyoureadyforit with 59.5kg at $2.20. Progressive sort who can measure up.
Comes here off a 32-day let-up. At the latest run 11th of 13 at Sandown-Lakeside Bm70 on August 20 over 1200m, 3.5 len behind Princess Que with 57.5kg at $21. Before that came home strongly from last on the turn; 3rd of 9 at Sandown-Lakeside Bm64 on August 6 over 1200m, on a slow track; 1.3 len behind Princess Que carrying 60.5kg at $19. Rough hope on best form.