MELBOURNE CUP CARNIVAL COUNTRY FINAL
Results
Always hugely competitive the Final of the Country Series. CORONA LAD (13) was well fancied to win the Caulfield equivalent of this race. Similarly competitive but he was well backed to win it and ran up to do just that only to be picked off in the last hop. Strong performance all the same and he rates to make amends now. Query might be the mile but he is bred to relish it. MAXIMUS PRIME (1) was a strong fresh winner at Geelong and has a great chance on the back of that. They are the pair that appeal most. Some luck from a wide alley can see AIRCLASH (12) in the finish off his good effort at Sale. TOREGENE (14) won his way in at Cranbourne and ATOMIC GOLD (4) at Benalla. Kept fresh and set for this since. Respected.
Visit TAB.COM.AUAlways hugely competitive the Final of the Country Series. CORONA LAD (13) was well fancied to win the Caulfield equivalent of this race. Similarly competitive but he was well backed to win it and ran up to do just that only to be picked off in the last hop. Strong performance all the same and he rates to make amends now. Query might be the mile but he is bred to relish it. MAXIMUS PRIME (1) was a strong fresh winner at Geelong and has a great chance on the back of that. They are the pair that appeals most. Some luck from a wide alley can see AIRCLASH (12) in the finish off his good effort at Sale. TOREGENE (14) won his way in at Cranbourne and ATOMIC GOLD (4) at Benalla. Kept fresh and set for this since. Respected.
Second-up (2:1-0-0): Looked good winning first-up and is proven second up (1 from 2). First-up he was 1st 1.3L, Magical Land at Geelong (BM-78) 1500m. Second run last time solid run when 9th 4.7L, Visinari at Sandown-Hillside (BM-78) 1400m. Should take beating.
Second-up (1:1-0-0): First up winner excellent overall record. First-up he was 1st 1.3L, Realeza at Horsham (BM-70) 1400m. Second-up last prep was 1st 4.3L, Pretty Little Lass at Werribee (3Y+CL1) 1416m. Could be value.
Last start finished 2nd 0.2L, No Surrender at Bendigo (BM-78) 1400m. Two back was 6th 4.9L, Unanimous at Flemington (BM-78) 1630m. Place hopes best.
Harder here but can't knock consecutive wins at past two runs. Most recently he finished 1st 2.8L, Corona Lad at Benalla (BM-70) 1406m. Two back was 1st 1.5L, Jay Gatsby at Mt Gambier (BM-68) 1316m. Suited, rates well.
Last time out was 1st 7L, Accountability at Hamilton (BM-70) 1600m. Two runs back was 1st 1.5L, Naboo Star at Sandown-Lakeside (BM-70) 1600m. Each way chance.
Useful run last start when second over similar distance. Last start he finished 2nd 1.3L, Maximus Prime at Geelong (BM-78) 1500m. Before that was 9th 2.6L, Pascero at Sandown-Hillside (BM-78) 1400m. Include in chances.
Last run finished 3rd 0.2L, The Talking Toff at Bendigo (BM-70) 1600m. Two runs back finished 10th 7.2L, Vasmee at Horsham (BM-70) 1400m. Marginal chance.
Was a narrow winner last start. Last time out he finished 1st 0.2L, Polanco at Bendigo (BM-78) 1400m. Two back was 3rd 1.5L, Toregene at Cranbourne (BM-64) 1400m. Expect bold showing.
Comfortable winner last start. Last time out he finished 1st 1.3L, Airclash at Sale (BM-70) 1400m. Two starts back he finished 1st 1.5L, Obfuscation at Cranbourne (3Y+CL1) 1300m. Worth consideration.
Second-up (5:2-0-0): First-up finished very strongly 2nd 7L, Bookman at Hamilton (BM-70) 1600m. Second-up last prep 10th 8.7L, Makram at Flemington (Open) 1700m. Not good enough.
Last start finished 2nd 1.3L, Vasmee at Horsham (BM-70) 1400m. Before that ran strongly 2nd 0.2L, Outback Action at Moonee Valley (BM-64) 1200m. Place hopes best.
Last run he finished 2nd 1.3L, Prowling at Sale (BM-70) 1400m. Two back was 1st 3L, Sempreinte at Mornington (BM-64) 1200m. Could earn cheque.
Cross Over Noseband on. Solid run last start when second. Last start was 2nd 0.1L, Real Sensation at Caulfield (BM-70) 1400m. On Sep 23 he finished 2nd 2.8L, Atomic Gold at Benalla (BM-70) 1406m. Does appeal here.
Second-up (1:0-0-0): Lightly raced and has excellent win record (75%). Resuming was 1st 0.5L, Jay Gatsby at Cranbourne (BM-64) 1400m. Second run last prep was 9th 4.4L, Kir Royale at Flemington (3FB-78) 1400m. Definite claims here.
Second-up (2:1-0-0): Resuming was 3rd 2.1L, Maximus Prime at Geelong (BM-78) 1500m. Second run last prep finished 6th 7.2L, Lyrical Lad at Pakenham (BM-70) 1600m. Place hope only.
Second-up (2:0-0-1): Resuming she finished 2nd 0.2L, Play On Words at Murtoa (BM-64) 1600m. Second-up last time solid effort when she finished 4th 3.6L, Swiss Hero at Warrnambool (BM-64) 1700m. Looks safely held.
Most recently he finished 3rd 1L, No Surrender at Bendigo (BM-78) 1400m. Before that finished 3rd 0.2L, Real Sensation at Caulfield (BM-70) 1400m. Place hope only.
Most recently finished 3rd 1.4L, Prowling at Sale (BM-70) 1400m. Before that finished 4th 7.8L, I Am War at Moonee Valley (BM-78) 1200m. Place claims here.
Blinkers on. Last start solid run when 8th 2.9L, Prowling at Sale (BM-70) 1400m. Two starts back solid run when he finished 4th 2.2L, Toregene at Cranbourne (BM-64) 1400m. Not out of it.
Last start he finished 4th 1.1L, No Surrender at Bendigo (BM-78) 1400m. Before that ran strongly 4th 0.9L, Real Sensation at Caulfield (BM-70) 1400m. Tested here.