This is a very interesting race. The top weight is a French import that is first up in Australia for Chris Waller. His last start was a 6th to Red Cadeaux in Hong Kong over 2400m and before that he was well fancied in the Arc in France. Under The Sun is the second top weight; he, in his 17 runs in NSW has run either first or second 15 times. He is probably the most consistent horse in work in NSW at the minute.
Then there is multiple Stakes winners Kinnersley and Bold Glance. Kinnersley likes it dry and Bold Glance likes it wet. Both however have a ton of class and this is the kind of race they usually pop up in. Ironstein down on 55.5kg is an interesting runner; he no doubt needs a lot further, but he is a winner first up in the past and should have at least a little bit of residual fitness from a very long spring and summer campaign. Darci Be Good is a good versatile horse that has beaten some good horses in the past. He is probably looking for a little bit further also, but he has won before over 1400m and 1600m. Wazn has won twice at this distance while Coup Ay Tee has recently beaten and ran second and third to Under The Sun. Less Is More is probably better suited in races up to 2000m and has never won a 1500m race, however he did recently beat the well performed Centennial Park in a trial. Finally Pretty Pins has been thereabouts in these kinds of races recently. Under The Sun has safely been holding her at bay recently, but she does get major weight relief from Under The Sun this week.
So where to look? The longest odds in the race are Kinnserley and Ironstein who interestingly enough are probably the most successful horses in the field based on their prize money. Under The Sun has beaten a lot of these in its past few starts, and as long as he gets a good run it is hard to see him missing a place.
4th. Kinnersley. This horse is too good to leave out. Yes he has run dead last at his two runs this time in, but he is flying on the track and it seems interesting that Gai has left him in these shorter races despite the fact that he prefers the longer races. Kinnserley is also no good at all on rain affected tracks; his two runs this time in have been on very wet tracks with big weights.
3rd. Ironstein. Yes yes, I can hear the laughter from here. But you always have to respect a stayer first up. Last preparation, this gelding had seven starts at 2400m or above, and he has only been out for 23 weeks. He must still have some residual fitness and he was very good in a recent trial over 1200m. Also, four years ago, Ironstein won a 1500m race and defeated the well performed Brian’s Honour in the process. Maybe???
2nd. Bold Glance. This former Queensland flying machine has beaten some great horses in his time on Australia’s racetracks. He has not been too far away from Under The Sun recently and this week he meets Gai’s gelding much better at the weights. His best is really good and he does not mind any type of track surface.
1st. Under The Sun. Yes he is up in the weights, but just the way he lets down and tries his heart out indicates weight might not worry him too much. He is very consistent and is in terrific form. He looks good value at $3.50 and he might even get to $4.00. The fact that he has ran either first or second in 15 of 17 in NSW should fill punters with confidence come Saturday.
By Zeb Armstrong
