Finals day is upon us this Saturday with several runners at Flemington for the culmination of a number of winter series races. As ballot exempt for entry into the finals races, our three last-start winners Future Score, Romancer and Benitoite are poised to swoop in the closing stages of their respective races.
Future Score’s last start win was a class act, stuck on the rail and in heavy going, it was a gusty effort to pip Jake’s Hill on the line over the 2400m journey. He steps out tomorrow in the 2600m Banjo Paterson Series Final, competing for the $150,000 top prize. The battle for leading Victorian jockey also continues, with Future Score’s usual jockey Damien Oliver choosing to ride Chouxting the Mob who has recently gone on to win its last four starts. Current leading Victorian jockey Craig Williams has nominated to take the ride on Future score, coming in with a 6kg weight advantage. Trainer Matt Cumani is pleased with the horse’s progress since last start and is looking forward to a competitive series final showdown.
Romancer also takes his place in the series finals thanks to a fantastic victory a fortnight ago in the 1400m Open Handicap at Flemington. Digging deep in the concluding stages he fought off Blazejowski to win by a head. Since his change of scenery to Mornington with trainer Graeme Begg, Romancer is thriving and looks set to make his mark in the Listed VRC-CRV Winter Championship Series Final over the mile. Begg couldn’t be happier with his condition leading into tomorrow’s race and is delighted with how he has progressed.
Benitoite continues her fine form this preparation, having won three of her first four career starts for Clinton McDonald and the team. McDonald is very happy with the way Benitoite will present at Flemington tomorrow for the 3yo Fillies Handicap. Having had a recent full body clip, she will be looking sharp and raring to go. With enough tempo in the race, stepping up to the 1600m journey should not be a problem for this Americain filly and we hope to see her present at the right time in running.
Kellstorm backs up a week after his run in the Stayer’s Cup at Rosehill, starting in the $125,000 BM78 2400m Randwick Mayor’s Cup this Saturday. Freedman is pleased with his recovery since last weekend, stating that he has hardly left a grain of feed and is 100% fit leading into the race. With Blaike McDougall in the saddle he claims 2kgs, the blinkers also come off and he will be ridden a little cooler on the speed. The track is still sitting within the heavy rating range, so given the surface, drop in class and weight, the race looks to very much be in Kellstorm’s favour.
Rounding out the weekend is Savvy Acquisition looking to break his maiden in the 1600m contest at Sunshine Coast. He has drawn a handy gate, jumping from barrier 2 with Ryan Maloney booked to ride at 57.5kgs. Having refreshed Savvy Acquisition by trying different things at home in his training, Tony Haydon feels the horse is really enjoying the work and completed his sharpest piece of work during the week to date. We hope to see this convert into Savvy’s first race win on Sunday!
Best of luck to all of their connections this weekend!
