RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE VIC/TAS TROPHY
Tricky finish. STORM LEOPARD (13) will need a good ride but put the writing on the wall first up with a nice return over 1400m at Caulfield, getting home strongly for fifth. That was always going to be too sharp so the step to 1700m is ideal with 54kg, if Williams can be positive early and slot in somewhere from the wide gate he'll go close. JUSTADEEL (9) was well backed second up at Sandown Hillside over 1500m in a strange race on heavy ground. He did keep coming on the line despite being well beaten and third up to 1700m from a lovely draw should suit nicely now. DETONATOR JACK (2) has just found one better his past couple behind Darkbonee & First Chorus which reads well. Has a lot of weight and the map looks tough but he's hard to leave out. FUTURE HISTORY (1) resumes, big weight but only off 11 weeks and he's good enough, could be the blowout up on speed. MR VERSE (18) has been solid in two runs back and is ready to peak.
Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of 11 weeks. Finished off last campaign when last in a small field at Eagle Farm in the G3 Tatt's Cup June 27 over 2400m, soft track; 13 len behind Asterix with 56.5kg at $3. When resuming last campaign fourth of 13 at Doomben in the G3 Chairman's Hcp May 16 over 2000m, soft track; 1.75 len behind Middle Earth with 60.5kg at $20. Has the ability, can give a sight.
Recent form sound. Most recently made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 8 in a Bm100 at Caulfield on August 15 over 1600m, on a slow track; 1.75 len behind Darkbonee carrying 59kg at $8. The run before that 2nd of 10 in a Bm100 at Caulfield Heath on August 8 over 1800m, on a slow track; long-neck behind First Chorus carrying 59.5kg at $18. Racing well and will take holding out.
First-up. Finished off last preparation ninth of 12 at Caulfield Bm100 May 9 over 2000m, soft track; 6 len behind Plymouth with 61kg at $3.30. When resuming last campaign 11th of 13 at this track Hcp March 28 over 1600m, soft track; 6 len behind Al Duca with 60kg at $15. Prefer to see how he returns.
Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up ran last in a small field in a Bm100 at this track on August 1 over 1410m, 3 len behind Sass Appeal with 60.5kg at $13. Second run from a spell 7th of 12 in a Bm100 at Caulfield on August 29 over 1400m, on a slow track; 6 len behind Fancify carrying 59.5kg at $26. Can improve third up but needs to.
Back from a spell. Finished off last campaign when last of 14 at this track in the LR Ramsden May 16 over 2800m, 52 len behind Zakouma with 58.5kg at $8. First up last campaign ran last of 14 at Rosehill in the G3 Pmatta Cup February 21 over 1900m, 15 len behind Piggyback with 59kg at $31. Prefer to see how he returns.
Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of five months. Finished off last campaign 11th of 14 at Mornington in the LR Morn Cup April 18 over 2400m, 7 len behind Kings Valley with 56.5kg at $4. Previously first up; third of 13 at this track Bm70 December 31 over 1800m, 1.2 len behind Fiorenot carrying 59.5kg at $5. Has the ability, watch the betting fresh.
First-up. Finished off last preparation seventh of 10 at Eagle Farm in the G2 Brisbane Cup June 13 over 3200m, on rain affected going; 17 len behind Alalcance carrying 54kg at $7.50. When resuming last campaign second last in a small field at Caulfield Bm70 February 7 over 2000m, 4 len behind Ambassadorial carrying 60.5kg at $14. Will need this.
Second-up. First-up after four months eased back early on 6th of 12 in a Bm100 at Caulfield on August 29 over 1400m, on a slow track; 6 len behind Fancify carrying 57.5kg at $91. Previously second-up 4th of 11 in a Bm66 at Pakenham on October 17 over 1400m, on a slow track; 2 len behind Kirribilli with 58.5kg at $81. Nice return, wouldn't shock.
Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up 4th of 11 in a Bm94 at Rosehill on August 1 over 1300m, on a slow track; 1.5 len behind Carbonados carrying 59kg at $6.50. Second-up 4th in a small field in a Hcp at Sandown-Hillside on August 22 over 1500m, on heavy track; 2.5 len behind Freedom Rally carrying 55kg at $3.40. Up in trip now third up, sets up nicely from the gate.
Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming 3rd in a small field in a Bm100 at this track on August 1 over 1410m, 1.5 len behind Sass Appeal carrying 53kg at $71. Last start ran last in a small field in a Hcp at Sandown-Hillside on August 22 over 1500m, on rain affected going; 5 len behind Freedom Rally carrying 52kg at $20. Risking.
Second run back. First-up after four months 14th of 16 in a Bm84 at Caulfield on August 29 over 1400m, slow going 10 len behind Home Rule with 62kg at $81. Previously second-up 7th of 12 in the G2 Alister Clark Stakes at Caulfield on March 21 over 2000m, 5 len behind Roulette King with 57kg at $41. Hard to see him in the placings.
Last start 2nd in a small field in a Hcp at Sandown-Hillside on August 22 over 1500m, on rain affected going; 1.3 len behind Freedom Rally carrying 52.5kg at $7.50. The start before that 6th of 9 in a Bm100 at Caulfield on July 25 over 1600m, slow going 5 len behind First Chorus carrying 55kg at $4.80. Impressed last start. Better last time and in the mix.
Second run back. First-up after five months 5th of 12 in a Bm100 at Caulfield on August 29 over 1400m, slow going 3.5 len behind Fancify with 55kg at $7. Previously second-up won by a long-neck in a 3yo Mdn-Sw at Geelong on December 12 over 1530m defeating Gold Chariot carrying 58kg at $4.80. Lovely return, suited this trip, just needs to overcome the gate.
First-up. Finished off last campaign fifth of 10 at this track Banjo Paterson July 4 over 2600m, soft track; 4.5 len behind Highland Blaze carrying 57kg at $5.50. When resuming last campaign ninth of 11 at Geelong Bm56 April 10 over 1312m, soft track; 5.5 len behind Brazenga with 63kg at $17. Hard to enthuse.
Second run back. First-up after five months 5th of 12 in a Bm84 at Sandown-Hillside on August 22 over 1600m, in the wet; 2.25 len behind Stay Silent carrying 59.5kg at $31. Previously second-up 9th of 12 in a Hcp at Sandown-Hillside on September 27 over 1800m, 9 len behind Charterhouse with 54kg at $7.50. Solid return and can figure.
Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up 10th of 14 in a Open Hcp at Hobart on July 19 over 1380m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind Rubbleonthedouble carrying 59kg at $19. Second run from a spell 2nd in a small field in a Open Hcp at Hobart on August 19 over 1600m, slow going 0.8 len behind Rubbleonthedouble with 57kg at $7.50. Can't have.
Third-up today and placed third-up previously. First-up ran last of 12 in a F&M Bm78 at Caulfield on August 15 over 1400m, slow going 7 len behind Recuperato carrying 61kg at $91. Second-up ran last of 12 in a F&M Bm78 at Caulfield on August 29 over 1400m, on a slow track; 5.5 len behind Puglia with 61kg at $101. Can't have on recent performances.
Dual acceptor. Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up 4th of 14 in a Bm88 at this track on July 18 over 1200m, on a slow track; 0.6 len behind Piastri with 55kg at $14. Second-up 5th of 13 in a Cg&E Bm78 at Rosehill on August 15 over 1400m, on a slow track; 1.5 len behind Barbaric Lad with 60kg at $4.40. Can improve. Ready to peak now and should take holding out.
Second run back. First-up after four months 8th of 16 in a Bm84 at Caulfield on August 29 over 1400m, slow going 5.5 len behind Home Rule carrying 55.5kg at $101. Previously second-up 3rd of 8 in a Bm84 at Caulfield on February 7 over 1600m, 2 len behind Sneaky Sunrise with 58kg at $41. Has won second up before but others rate much better.