The Shannon Stakes meeting will be held at Rosehill on Saturday. Fine in Sydney, Rosehill was rated a Good 3 on Thursday and the track is likely to remain in the Good range on raceday.
The Rupert Clarke Stakes meeting will be held at Caulfield on Sunday. Caulfield was rated a Slow 7 on Thursday and with fine weather forecast for the next few days, the track could upgrade to Dead range on raceday.
The top weight in the Colin Stephen Quality (Sydney Race 3, 2400m), Julienas, looks the horse to beat. He has been carrying big weights in his past 3 starts and once again he’ll have to carry 59kg on Saturday. But he is the class horse in this field as he was the runner up behind Kelinni in this same race last year. Gai Waterhouse will certainly hope Julienas can go one better this year.
In the Reginald Allen Quality (Sydney Race 4, 1400m), Waterhouse has got another top chance in Shahad. This Fastnet Rock filly has been racing against horses like Guelph and finished 4th in both her past 2 starts. Down in class on Saturday and she looks to have the wood on these lots. From barrier 5, Tommy Berry can settle her on the pace and could prove hard to run down.
Group 1 winner Red Tracer is resuming from a spell in the Golden Pendant (Sydney Race 5, 1400m). This Chris Waller-trained mare won the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes & the Group 1 Tatts Tiara before her spell, both races over Saturday’s distance of 1400m. She had 2 nice trials in preparation for her return. Red Tracer has a terrific record over 1400m having won or placed 7 times from 8 starts and she has never missed a place 1st up from 6 attempts. Waller has reported that the horse has been going really well and regular jockey Nash Rawiller has sticked with her. Even with 59kg, Red Tracer looks a strong winning chance in the Golden Pendant.
In the Gloaming Stakes (Sydney Race 6, 1800m), the promising Drago should appreciate the step up to 1800m. This 3YO has been showing tremendous staying ability winning a 1800m race before his spell. First up in an unsuitable 1300m race, he flew home for 2nd from a long way back. Last start in the Group 1 Golden Rose, Drago was 14th rounding the home turn and eventually finishing 9th, but was only beaten 4 lengths by some brilliant 3YO sprinters. Aiming at the Victoria Derby, 1800m at this stage would be perfect for his preparation. With average luck, I believe Drago will win the Gloaming Stakes.
By Owens Wong, Editor
