The All-Star Mile shapes as the real highlight of our weekend with Thunder looking to go one better this year. We also see a host of other interesting runners across the country.
Saturday, March 18
Rosehill
Current Track Rating: Good
Timour
Timour has switched up to Chris Waller’s Rosehill base and has done nothing but please since. He was slightly underwhelming late when well fancied at Flemington but gets another chance here to stake his Sydney Cup claims. Although it’s a step up in grade, he showed himself to be up to this class overseas. The main question will be whether he can do it on a firm Rosehill surface.
Race 2 – 12:45pm | 2400m Group 3 N E Manion Cup | T: Chris Waller | J: Kerrin McEvoy 54kg | Barrier 2 | Saddlecloth 9
Doomben
Current Track Rating: Soft
Barade
Barade’s effort last start was better than his finishing position suggests. He raced like he wanted to play a part in the finish and that was exactly what we wanted to see. Third up, out to 2000m at his preferred Doomben track, he’s now at the stage of his campaign where he can fire.
Race 2 – 1:33pm | 2000m Magic Millions Gold Coast Plate | T: Jack Bruce | J: Justin Huxtable 57kg | Barrier 5 | Saddlecloth 4
Geelong
Current Track Rating: Good
Sardonian
To read more about the chances of San Huberto’s half-brother, Sardonian, click here.
Race 4 – 2:36pm | 1321m 3yo Maiden | T: Matthew Williams | J: Mitchell Aitken 58kg | Barrier 7 | Saddlecloth 5
The Valley
Current Track Rating: Good
I’m Thunderstruck
I’m Thunderstruck flies the flag for OTI in the All-Star Mile, where he will look to go one better than he did last year. Whilst we did expect him to finish off a little stronger in the Futurity, the Price Kent team have always planned to have him peaking on All-Star Mile day. He has certainly enjoyed a change up in his training routine, having spent some time at the beach in between runs. With a strong tempo predicted and back to a track circuit to his liking, he should get every chance to show his best form in Saturday’s feature.
Race 7 – 4:20pm | 1600m All-Star Mile | T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | J: Daniel Moor 59kg | Barrier 5 | Saddlecloth 1
Lady Laguna
Lady Laguna finds herself in a very competitive edition of the Group 3 Typhoon Tracy Stakes on Saturday. She raced a touch fresh first-up, so she is expected to have taken good improvement heading into Saturday’s assignment. Her work on Tuesday at The Valley was sharp, so we are hopeful she can acquit herself well in strong company.
Race 8 – 5:00pm | 1200m Group 3 Typhoon Tracy Stakes| T: Annabel Neasham | J: Dean Yendall 57kg | Barrier 3 | Saddlecloth 7
Kembla Grange
Current Track Rating: Soft
Cloudland
The lightly-raced Cloudland is out to secure his position in the $500,000 Provincial-Midway Championship Final. This looks an ideal journey for him first up with some give in the ground. He’s a very talented horse still finding his way but this shapes as a campaign where we can get some racing into him. He’s not all that well suited at the wights but we hope to see his class shine through from a nice draw.
Race 8 – 5:05pm | 1400m Provincial-Midway Championship Qualifier | T: Kris Lees | J: Jeff Penza 56kg | Barrier 7 | Saddlecloth 12
Good luck to all of our connections!