VRC MEMBER PETER DRAKE PLATE
Results
CADMUS (6) is flying of late and looks the one to beat again. He was good when wide in a handy Bm84 two back at this track over 1800m and went on with it to score easily at Sandown Hillside last time, again over 1800m. No issue up to 2000m, he'll be very hard to hold out. WYCLIF (7) is coming off a solid win at Caulfield in a similar grade over this distance. This looks another winnable race, staying on 54kg after the claim. POUNDING (4) was hard in the market in the Winter Championships Final last time but a bit flat. His run prior when second to Cadmus was good although 2000m might be a slight knock. SMOKIN' ROMANS (1) was just fair last time but can't be discounted as a track and trip Group 1 winner. INTERPRETATION (3) found the mile too short first-up but did run a good race second up last time in. Can improve sharply.
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Group 1 winner. Useful gelding. At the latest run 8th of 12 at Caulfield Qlty Hcp on June 29 over 2000m, slow going 4 len behind Wyclif with 58.5kg at $7.50. The run before that made some head-way from midfield; 4th of 15 at Sandown-Hillside Hcp on June 15 over 1800m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind Cadmus with 58.5kg at $19. Genuine hope.
Group 3 winner. Going well. Most recently 4th of 12 at this track in the LR Winter Cship on July 6 over 1600m, 2.5 len behind Munhamek with 58kg at $14. The race before that came from midfield; 3rd of 12 at this track Davidbourke on June 22 over 1620m, 0.5 len behind Munhamek with 57.5kg at $16. Handy type who is some query at this trip.
Group 3 winner. Second run back. First-up after eight months second last of 12 at this track Davidbourke on June 22 over 1620m, 9 len behind Munhamek carrying 58.5kg at $26. Previously second-up 2nd in a small field at Moonee Valley Hcp on August 26 over 2040m, 1.3 len behind Future History with 57kg at $4. Fitter but might need one more.
Group 1 placegetter. Useful type. At the latest run raced behind the speed prior to fading 8th of 12 at this track in the LR Winter Cship on July 6 over 1600m, 4.5 len behind Munhamek carrying 56.5kg at $4. The run before that 2nd of 15 at Sandown-Hillside Hcp on June 15 over 1800m, slow going 1.75 len behind Cadmus with 59kg at $14. Can do much better.
Group 1 placegetter. Resumes off a 35 day let-up. Most recently 10th of 15 at Sandown-Hillside Hcp on June 15 over 1800m, slow going 7 len behind Cadmus with 57.5kg at $9. The start before that second last of 12 at Randwick in the G3 Jra Plate on April 20 over 2000m, on heavy track; 24 len behind Huetor carrying 54.5kg at $17. Will need to do more.
Racing well. Comes here off a 35-day let-up. At the latest run won by 1.75 len at Sandown-Hillside Hcp June 15 over 1800m on a rain affected track defeating Pounding carrying 54kg at $8.50. The race before that 4th of 14 at this track Bm84 on May 18 over 1800m, on a slow track; 2 len behind Amberite with 58kg at $7.50. Big chance to make it back-to-back successes.
Group 3 placegetter. Useful gelding. At the latest run won by 1.0 len at Caulfield Qlty Hcp June 29 over 2000m in soft going defeating Milford with 54kg at $8.50. The race before that 6th of 15 at Sandown-Hillside Hcp on June 15 over 1800m, on a slow track; 4.5 len behind Cadmus carrying 54kg at $11. Racing well and can win again.
Useful type. At the latest run 6th of 12 at Caulfield Qlty Hcp on June 29 over 2000m, on a slow track; 2.5 len behind Wyclif carrying 54.5kg at $16. The run before that 8th of 15 at Sandown-Hillside Hcp on June 15 over 1800m, slow going 5.5 len behind Cadmus carrying 55kg at $15. Should be right in the finish.
Group 3 placegetter. Resuming after a break of four-and-a-half months. Finished off last preparation tenth of 12 at Pakenham in the LR Pakenham Cup March 15 over 2500m, 15 len behind Ashrun with 54kg at $15. When resuming last campaign sixth of 8 at Taree Taree Cup November 19 over 2000m, 4 len behind Sound And Vision carrying 59.5kg at $8. Hard to recommend.
Group 3 placegetter. Back from a spell. Only had one start last campaign ran last of 11 at Warrnambool Hcp on April 30 over 1700m, on a slow track; 10 len behind Rolls carrying 60kg at $19. First up last campaign second last of 8 at this track Bm90 on March 4 2023 over 1200m, 6 len behind Sessions Road with 62kg at $81. Was runner-up in a trial at Casterton on July 1 over 1300m. Needs more time.
Second-up. First-up after eight months second last of 12 at Caulfield Hcp on June 29 over 1440m, slow going 9 len behind Rheinberg with 54kg at $61. Previously second-up eased back early on 4th of 8 at Rosehill Bm88 on September 23 over 1900m, 4 len behind Marquess carrying 58kg at $19. Must improve significantly.
Group 1 placegetter. At the latest run second last of 12 at Caulfield Qlty Hcp on June 29 over 2000m, slow going 6 len behind Wyclif carrying 54kg at $10. The start before that 6th of 13 at this track Bm100 on June 8 over 2000m, 2 len behind Virtuous Circle with 53.5kg at $5. Will be winding up strongly.
At the latest run 5th of 12 at Caulfield Qlty Hcp on June 29 over 2000m, slow going 2.5 len behind Wyclif carrying 54kg at $14. Before that 9th of 13 at this track Bm100 on June 8 over 2000m, 3 len behind Virtuous Circle with 53kg at $19. Will need plenty of improvement to feature.
Group 3 placegetter. Last start second last of 12 at Randwick Bm88 on July 13 over 1800m, slow going 9 len behind Aramco with 56kg at $81. Before that 12th of 15 at Rosehill Bm88 on June 29 over 1500m, on a wet track; 4 len behind Highlights with 56kg at $101. Not keen on his prospects.
Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up 7th of 12 at this track Davidbourke on June 22 over 1620m, 3.5 len behind Munhamek carrying 52kg at $151. Second-up 11th of 15 at Caulfield Bm84 on July 13 over 1700m, slow going 6 len behind British Columbia with 56kg at $26. Shouldn't trouble the top few.