Melbourne Cup Carnival Welcome
Good race to finish. ISTHMUS (10) was a big winner first up at Sandown Hillside, running on strongly to score over 1000m and post a strong rating in the process. She's come back very well and will take beating again. AARDVARK (12) resumes. He won the Listed Talindert Stakes first up last time in before tackling the G2 VRC Sires behind the likes of Traffic Warden at Flemington. Very wary. CODIGO (9) resumes. We've seen him once here and he ran well in a good race. Some of his NZ form is strong. NOVA LIGHTS (17) resumes. She's a handy type with claims. INTREPID EAGLE (6) next best.
Group 3 placegetter. First-up. Finished off last campaign by long-neck this track Bm84 July 20 over 1200m slow track defeating Home Rule carrying 52.5kg at $41. When resuming last campaign eighth of 11 at Caulfield Bm78 June 1 over 1200m, 5 len behind Why Worry carrying 60kg at $61. Might need this outing.
Most recently 4th of 12 at Wagga Ian Reid on September 5 over 1200m, 1.5 len behind Love Shuck carrying 59kg at $19. The run before that 4th of 8 at Wagga Wagga Whiz on August 11 over 1000m, on a slow track; 1.2 len behind Gogol with 60.5kg at $15. Needs to improve sharply.
At the latest run sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 11 at Sandown-Hillside Bm74 on September 4 over 1000m, 3 len behind Isthmus carrying 59kg at $26. The race before that raced on the pace before fading second last of 12 at Moonee Valley Bm74 on August 10 over 1000m, slow going 6 len behind Cavallo Rampante carrying 59.5kg at $13. In a suitable race and is a solid top-three hope.
Back from a spell. Finished off last preparation second last of 8 at Sandown-Hillside 3yo Hcp May 25 over 1600m, soft track; 6 len behind Lady In Pink carrying 60kg at $19. Previous preparation first-up won by head Kyneton Cg&E Bm58 March 7 over 1125m slow track defeating Octrain carrying 61.5kg at $7. This looks a stern test.
Resuming. Finished off last preparation when last of 13 at Caulfield Bm70 April 27 over 1800m, 11 len behind Albanian I Am with 61kg at $26. First up last campaign sixth of 14 at Bairnsdale Bm58 November 21 over 1200m, soft track; 4.5 len behind Antarctic Ocean with 60.5kg at $4.50. Wait and see how he comes up.
Gelding returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last campaign second of 11 at this track Bm70 April 25 over 1400m, soft track; 1.0 len behind Poifect with 60kg at $7. Previously first up; second of 8 at Sandown-Lakeside Bm64 December 6 over 1200m, a neck behind Villa Seventynine with 60kg at $3.80. Can figure in the finish.
Third-up today. Resuming won by 0.5 len at Swan Hill Bm64 August 2 over 975m defeating Short And Stout with 61kg at $4.50. Second run from a spell 8th of 10 at Sale Bm70 on 2August 2 over 1000m, slow going 5.5 len behind Bold Print carrying 60kg at $9. Could be an improver.
On a three run winning streak. Comes here off a 42-day let-up. At the latest run favourite; won by a head at Echuca Bm64 August 11 over 1209m defeating Russian Bobshark carrying 60.5kg at $3. Before that favourite; came from midfield and won by 0.8 len at Ballarat Synthetic Bm58 July 16 over 1100m defeating Gator carrying 61.5kg at $5. Leading player again.
Resuming. Finished off last preparation second last of 9 at Hastings in the G2 Hwk's Bay Gns September 30 over 1400m, on rain affected going; 13 len behind Lantern Way with 57kg at $17.10. First up last campaign fourth of 10 at Hastings in the LR Colin Meads September 9 2023 over 1200m, soft track; 3 len behind Tokyo Tycoon with 57kg at $9.40. Creates interest.
Second run back. First-up after five months won by 2.25 len at Sandown-Hillside Bm74 September 4 over 1000m defeating Lazy Susan carrying 55kg at $3.50. Previously second-up won by 0.8 len at Moonee Valley 3yo F Bm64 March 8 over 1200m defeating Bay Of Zea carrying 59.5kg at $1.80. The one to beat based on that latest effort. Looked very good fresh and rates highly here.
Second-up. Comes off a 36-day let-up. First-up after two months 6th of 13 at Caulfield Bm74 on August 17 over 1100m, 4 len behind Beast Mode carrying 55kg at $11. Previously second-up won by a nose at this track F&M Bm78 April 25 over 1100m in soft going defeating Little Miss Kubi carrying 54kg at $17. This looks too tough.
Has won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of six-and-a-half months. Finished off last campaign seventh of 14 at this track in the G2 Vrc Sires' March 9 over 1400m, 6 len behind Traffic Warden carrying 57kg at $4. Previous preparation first-up won by 1.3 len this track LR Talindert February 17 over 1100m defeating Reasonable Point carrying 57kg at $4.50. Form last time reads very well.
Form hard to fault. At the latest run 3rd of 8 at Geelong Bm64 on September 13 over 1240m, 2.5 len behind Laa De Sha with 58kg at $5. The run before that 2nd in a small field at Morphettville Parks 3yo Bm66 on August 24 over 1250m, slow going 2 len behind Queenoftheair with 61kg at $2.10. Place chance.
Most recently settled towards the rear 2nd of 10 at Morphettville Parks Nmw Bm70 on September 7 over 1000m, on a slow track; 1.2 len behind Babayka with 59kg at $3.50. The race before that got back early 9th of 13 at Caulfield Bm74 on August 17 over 1100m, 4.5 len behind Beast Mode carrying 57kg at $6. Don't underestimate.
Gelding returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last preparation when last of 12 at Pakenham Synthetic Bm64 July 15 over 1000m, 9 len behind Dio with 59kg at $9. Previously first up; ninth of 12 at Mornington Bm70 June 10 over 1000m, soft track; 6 len behind Along The River with 57.5kg at $5. Place looks best.
He is resuming after a six months break. Finished off last preparation second last of 7 at Sandown-Lakeside 3yo Bm70 Hcp April 1 over 1400m, 7 len behind Kahhof with 58.5kg at $11. On debut third of 9 at Cranbourne 3yo Mdn-Sw December 22 over 1000m, 2.5 len behind I Miss Margie carrying 58kg at $4.50. Prefer to watch this time.
Resuming today after a break of four-and-a-half months. Finished off last preparation second of 8 at Sandown-Hillside F&M Bm64 May 8 over 1300m, a nose behind Apache Song carrying 59.5kg at $2.40. When resuming last campaign fourth of 12 at Geelong 3yo Mdn-Sw March 16 over 1212m, 5 len behind Spalmer carrying 56kg at $21. Handy type who can figure.