HKJC WORLD POOL GRAND HANDICAP
Results
We end a massive Cup week with a full field down the straight. James McDonald won this race aboard a heavily backed favourite last year and legs up the market elect in STOLI BOLLI (6) this year. He's flying without winning, just edged out here two back before perhaps just waiting too long to get going at Geelong when just missing as the $1.90 favourite. He only needs to hold that form and he can get the job done. SWEETHEARTED (11) looks a danger. He did more than enough fresh at Caulfield when getting a long way back, running on into sixth. 1200m suits now having run fifth to subsequent G1 winner Reserve Bank when last seen at the trip. BALASTIER (10) is flying, winning all three this time in. This is harder again and she had things to suit last time but respecting. ACTUALITY (16) and JUST LIKE GABY (15) are progressive 4yo mares, both have each way claims.
Visit TAB.COM.AUWe end a massive Cup week with a full field down the straight. James McDonald won this race aboard a heavily backed favourite last year and legs up the market elect in STOLI BOLLI (6) this year. He's flying without winning, just edged out here two back before perhaps just waiting too long to get going at Geelong when just missing as the $1.90 favourite. He only needs to hold that form and he can get the job done. SWEETHEARTED (11) looks a danger. He did more than enough fresh at Caulfield when getting a long way back, running on into sixth. 1200m suits now having run fifth to subsequent G1 winner Reserve Bank when last seen at the trip. BALASTIER (10) is flying, winning all three this time in. This is harder again and she had things to suit last time but respecting. ACTUALITY (16) and JUST LIKE GABY (15) are progressive 4yo mares, both have each way claims.
Second-up. First-up after eight months was well back until straightening; raced back then made ground from the turn; won by a nose at Morphettville Bm78 October 18 over 1050m defeating Mt Niseko carrying 60kg at $7.50. Previously second-up 13th of 15 at Morphettville Bm70 on August 31 2024 over 1100m, on a slow track; 6 len behind Sir Sway carrying 61.5kg at $14. In the money when second up in the past and can add to that record today.
Gelding back from a spell of three-and-a-half months. Has placed previously first up from a break. Finished off last preparation seventh of 10 at Caulfield Bm78 July 26 over 1100m, soft track; 2.5 len behind Pop Award carrying 58kg at $7. Previously first up; eighth of 10 at this track Bm70 January 1 over 1000m, 4 len behind Layeruponlayer with 58kg at $11. Has the class to figure.
Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up ran on from midfield; 3rd of 10 at Moonee Valley Bm84 on September 26 over 955m, 4 len behind Beast Mode carrying 56.5kg at $2.60. Second-up came from midfield; 2nd of 11 at Caulfield Bm78 on October 15 over 1100m, 0.8 len behind Don't Hope Do with 59.5kg at $5. Solid each way chance again.
Back from a spell. Finished off last campaign 11th of 14 at Sandown-Hillside Bm84 June 14 over 1000m, 5 len behind Chinqui with 57.5kg at $19. Previous preparation first-up won by neck Randwick Bm78 April 26 over 1000m slow track defeating Passeggiata carrying 58kg at $10. Will take great benefit from this outing.
Racing well recently. Last start won by 0.7 len at Morphettville Bm82 November 1 over 1100m defeating Perilous Fighter with 55.5kg at $5. Before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 7 at Morphettville Bm78 on October 18 over 1050m, nose behind Wiggum with 57.5kg at $2.15. Going well, each way hope.
Racing well recently. Last start tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 9 at Geelong Dual Choice Plt on October 23 over 1200m, on a slow track; neck behind Naval Academy carrying 56kg at $1.90. The start before that 2nd of 16 at this track Bm78 on October 4 over 1200m, long-neck behind De Bergerac with 58.5kg at $3.40. Went close last time. Bursting to win one, this sets up well.
Second run back. First-up after four months 2nd of 12 at Pakenham Bm66 on October 17 over 1000m, on a slow track; 0.8 len behind Latin Lover with 63kg at $14. Previously second-up won by a long-neck at this track Bm78 March 29 over 1100m defeating La Defense carrying 56.5kg at $14. Fitter and can give a sight.
Most recently came from midfield; 2nd of 12 at Seymour Bm74 on October 12 over 1100m, 1.75 len behind Actuality carrying 60.5kg at $4.60. Before that 6th of 11 at Moonee Valley Bm84 on September 26 over 1200m, 1.75 len behind Charcoals carrying 55.5kg at $11. Not the worst.
Second-up. First-up after four months made significant ground from the rear of the field 2nd of 10 at Bendigo Bm78 on October 29 over 1100m, 1.75 len behind Harry's Yacht with 57kg at $21. Previously second-up won by a nose at Ellerslie G2 Auckland Gns December 26 over 1400m on a rain affected track defeating Midnight Edition with 57kg at $6.20. Wary, can take holding out.
Recent form sound. Returns from a 36-day let-up. Last start favourite; won by a nose at Moonee Valley Bm70 October 3 over 1200m defeating Sun Setting with 59kg at $2.80. The start before that favourite; won by 2.25 len at Bendigo Bm62 September 7 over 1100m on a heavy track defeating Areyoureadyforit carrying 59.5kg at $2.20. Hard to knock, can measure up again.
Second-up. First-up after six months eased back early on 6th of 11 at Caulfield Bm78 on October 15 over 1100m, 2.25 len behind Don't Hope Do carrying 57.5kg at $5. Previously second-up 3rd of 11 at Bendigo 3yo Hcp on April 12 over 1100m, 3.5 len behind Manolo Bling carrying 55.5kg at $3.50. Suited here, hard to hold out.
Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of five-and-a-half months. Finished off last preparation fourth of 10 at Caulfield F&M Bm78 May 31 over 1200m, 2.75 len behind Splash Back carrying 59kg at $9. Previously first up; fourth of 13 at Randwick F&M Bm78 April 26 over 1200m, soft track; 2 len behind Memoria carrying 59kg at $8. Can run well.
Resuming. Finished off last preparation fifth of 12 at this track F&M Bm78 May 17 over 1200m, soft track; 3 len behind Star Sirius with 58.5kg at $14. Previously first up; second of 9 at Moonee Valley Bm64 November 22 over 955m, 1.0 len behind Grand Larceny carrying 58kg at $5.50. See this one.
At the latest run won by 0.8 len at Pakenham Bm66 October 17 over 1000m on a rain affected track defeating Codigo with 60kg at $101. Before that 7th of 11 at Sale Bm66 on October 8 over 1212m, 4 len behind Dollar Shot carrying 60.5kg at $31. Risking this time.
Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up favourite; ran on from midfield and won by a long-neck at Sandown-Hillside Bm66 September 24 over 1000m defeating Actuality carrying 59kg at $4.80. Last start sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 5th of 11 at Caulfield Bm78 on October 15 over 1100m, 1.75 len behind Don't Hope Do with 55.5kg at $3.20. Should be right there again.
Third-up today. Resuming made ground from midfield; 2nd of 12 at Sandown-Hillside Bm66 on September 24 over 1000m, long-neck behind Just Like Gaby with 56.5kg at $5. Second run from a spell favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 1.75 len at Seymour Bm74 October 12 over 1100m defeating Fission carrying 54kg at $1.90. Well placed. On the up, respecting.
Second-up. First-up after four months raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 6th of 12 at Pakenham Bm66 on October 17 over 1000m, slow going 2.5 len behind Latin Lover carrying 61kg at $11. Previously second-up eased back early on 7th of 12 at Sandown-Hillside Bm70 on June 18 over 1300m, 3 len behind Silver Cliff carrying 60.5kg at $4.60. Fitter but this will test.
At the latest run 3rd of 12 at Morphettville Bm68 on November 1 over 1200m, 3.5 len behind Mystic Wonder carrying 60.5kg at $12. Before that got back early 8th of 11 at Morphettville Bm70 on October 18 over 1200m, 3.5 len behind Shady Thinker carrying 60kg at $12. Needs a new best.
Dual acceptor. At the latest run raced on speed throughout when 2nd of 8 at Horsham Bm70 on October 19 over 1200m, long-neck behind Comic Hero with 55kg at $31. The run before that raced on the pace when 2nd of 12 at Ballarat Bm56 on October 6 over 1200m, slow going long-neck behind Bellalique with 62kg at $11. Others make more appeal.
Last start won by 1.3 len at Sale Bm66 Hcp October 26 over 1000m in the wet defeating Jahangir with 55.5kg at $6.50. The run before that 6th of 13 at Morphettville F&M 0-62 on October 4 over 1200m, 3.5 len behind Global Turn with 56.5kg at $7.50. Harder here.