Who’s hot?
GREGERS – Filly easily handled all challengers, going wire to wire at “7 to 20” odds, drawing away late, even though she’s probably better sitting off the speed. Considered one of the top fillies in Melbourne.
CAUTHEN (the colt) – Won the colt’s prep in fine style with an explosive late burst. Considered by many knowledgeable New Zealand fans as perhaps the best NZ-bred horse in over a decade. Could face Gregers in a very important Group 1 race limited to three year old runners on Friday night, Oct. 11th (U.S. time) in the Caufield Guineas.
REBEL DANE is a really good horse, and in his last campaign he showed a Group 1 winning-level effort against Pierro, who at his best was a fantastic sprinter/miler that won the Golden Slipper. Rebel Dane came back this past weekend off a 3 month break and was spectacular, beating a Group 2 caliber field in a little more than a hand ride. Could be the best sprinter in Sydney.
NORZITA was entered in Rebel Dane’s 6 furlong comeback race largely for exercise. It was her first start of the year and she lost a lot of ground on the turn, but closed very well and was beaten only 2.5 lengths on a distance that is probably 2 furlongs short of her best. Look for her to get into the winner’s circle soon, especially when she is in Group Ones against females.
Trainers DARREN WEIR (Melbourne) and CHRIS WALLER (Sydney) both had multiple wins on the day and their training stats for 2013 are really strong. Waller is a known quantity, but Weir can still get prices as his stable doesn’t have a lot of “name” horses.
Results for Picks from 8/23 (Friday US time):
0 wins/2 starters (win 0%), -$1.00 roi, 100% in the money (itm)
R4C – Montsegur (U.S. pool odds of 5/2). Wide trip, jock had a fair amount of trouble switching sticks, probably needs longer than 6 furlongs for her best – maybe up to a mile. Probably not Group 1 quality. Showed good energy, finished in third without threatening the top two.
R5C – Dream Forward was scratched
R7C – Reunite (U.S. pool odds of 7/2). Wide trip, made a winning move, lost by a head to a horse that saved all the ground from post 1. Definitely worth playing back under similar conditions (good or dead ground, 6.5 furlongs to a mile, handicap).