Love For Ransom (race 1 number 2). This mare a year ago was touted as the next big thing. She was winning well, showing a great turn of foot and had many racegoers talking. But then like so many other ‘boom’ horses, she went bad. She was not injured, she just kept running 10th. That was until her last start where she returned to form with a great second beaten only a few inches. She has a good barrier this week and at her best, that is her best from a year ago, she is good enough to win this race. The trainer maintains she could yet be a gun and if that is to come true, she better start winning soon. There is no time like the present.
Clevadude (race 4 number 4). This boy was great last start when a few hours before the race, the trainer pretty much declared his charge couldn’t win. This got the price out from $3 to $5 and of course he bolted in. This week Clevadude finds himself up against a promising Moody runner and against one out of Circles of Gold, the mare who gave birth to Haradasun and Elvstreom. But our selection can roll forward and he is clearly above average so maybe?
Chloe in Paris (race 5 number 12). This Ciaron Maher runner has been scratched four times in the last month. Ciaron is clearly looking for the ideal starting off point and this is a hard race, so he must be very confident in the fillies’ ability.
Under The Sun (race 6 number 5). A Sydney visitor that was not given the best ride when favourite at his last start in Sydney. Before that, the gelding had on fifteen occasions (out of 17 starts) run in the top two in NSW. He is fit and is a front runner and will no doubt give Puissance de Lune something to catch. Under The Sun can accelerate really nicely off a hot speed and his natural toughness and runs on the board this preparation may just be enough to keep the Cup favourite at bay.
Lady Melksham (race 8 number 3). This talented girl either wins or runs near last. She is so talented and has beaten some really good horses on her way to five wins. She is also unbeaten first up. Yes she has a long way to go, but at this early stage of her career she reminds me of More Joyous; she either wins or goes terribly. She at this stage has never run a second placing. More Joyous only ever ran second once in 33 starts and it was to Pierro. Lady Melksham’s first up record is the main reason the Home of Racing are keen on her.
By Zeb Armstrong
