This race is a bit of a mystery at this stage because No.3. Hucklebuck has not been committed to the race as of yet. Should Hucklebuck run, he is the logical selection despite the fact that he was beaten in the Fred Best.
Eight of the horses that are coming through this race competed in the Fred Best, a race that was won by Havana. But that race was at Doomben, the Guineas is at Eagle Farm. Horses like Hucklebuck will have plenty more time at Eagle Farm to speed up and fly home. At Doomben, horses like Havana that like to sit on the pace have an advantage. Hucklebuck and Havana are almost equal in the betting at the moment, but for mine, Hucklebuck will leave Havana in his wake in this race should he take his place.
Dothraki, Into the Red and the Waterhouse duo Liberty’s Choice and Ryker are the other four that are worth a mention. Dothraki has been in great form since the spring when Gerald Ryan threatened him with the ultimate gear change. He is a front runner, so he would be better suited at Doomben but he is simply too strong to leave out. He works hard in front and can slip his rivals in the blink of an eye. He will be off and gone at some stage and it is whether or not Hucklebuck is good enough to get past him late in the race. If Hucklebuck is saved for the Stradbroke, then Dothraki is the selection.
Into The Red never does anything wrong. He is a good Queensland horse that finished in front of both Hucklebuck and Dothraki in the Fred Best yet he is almost five times the odds of these horses. He is improving and the fact that he rarely runs a bad race indicates he is a great each way bet at over $22. Then there are the Waterhouse two that are fancied (Longma is currently an emergency but will come into consideration if he gets a run). Ryker holds a special place in this particular writer’s heart because he bit me when he was a two-year-old. Blood was drawn! Anyway, he has always shown plenty of talent and he really has run some good races this time in despite still having won just the two races. Barrier 17 sure won’t help but he is a little bulldog that will give a kick at the end of 1400m. One of his wins so far in his career has come over the 1400m and it is a distance he seems to enjoy. Liberty’s Choice is a colt that could be anything. He really showed improvement at his last start behind his stablemate Cosmic Endeavour and from barrier seven he should be able to did a good spot and pounce late.
Verdict:
Winner – No.3. Hucklebuck $4.60. If this horse runs he is a special. He will be fitter for his first up run and Eagle Farm suits him better than Doomben. He will find a spot and be storming home late.
Hardest to beat – No.1. Dothraki $7. This colt continues to run well and he will look the winner at some stage.
Best longshot – No.4. Liberty’s Choice $16. A potential superstar that will put it all together one day. No.7. Into the Red $21 and No.8. Ryker $21 are also worth consideration for the multiples or a cheeky each way bet.
By Zeb Armstrong
