Gai's Tip Sheet
FRIDAY 27th MARCH - BENDIGORail Position: True NEPTUNITE, Race 5, 1600m, 3.30pm, W Gordon, 60kgNeptunite is pleasing us ahead of his first-up run. His jumpouts and trials have been a bit hit and miss, but they’ve given him the right fitness grounding. We’re wasting no time by starting him off at 1600 metres because he’d be outpaced over anything shorter, and he should be able to get into a comfortable rhythm over this trip. Will will get him rolling along from barrier 7 to try and control the race from the front and make his own luck accordingly, so if he puts his best foot forward we expect him to be challenging at the finish.SATURDAY 28th MARCH - ROSEHILLRail Position: +5M EntirePLAGIARISM, Race 3, 1400m, 1.40pm, A Hyeronimus, 58kgPlagiarism is going a month between runs here, but we can’t fault him at home and he’s as ready as can be. He was last seen finishing 0.95 of a length behind Campione D’Italia who has since finished fourth in the Group 1 Golden Slipper, so that’s a very encouraging form boost ahead of this run. He stretches out to 1400 metres here but the way he kept finding over 1200 metres last time suggests he will appreciate it. Barrier 16 is a little tricky, but Adam will utilise his natural gate speed to roll forward and get across into a more favourable inside position. He’s got soft track form so any further rain wouldn’t be a huge concern, and he’s an extremely tough and honest colt so we see no reason why he won’t be right there at the finish once again.SHANGRI LA BOY, Race 5, 2000m, 2.50pm, A Hyeronimus, 56kgShangri La Boy ran an improved race to finish just over three lengths from the winner in the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes last time. He’s taken further improvement from that run and we think he’s going to appreciate getting out to 2000 metres third-up here. Adam will let him roll forward from barrier 5, and the naturally steadier tempo of this longer race should enable him to travel comfortably in the run. He went close to winning a Group 1 over this distance at Randwick in the spring so we know he’ll stay, and the top two horses in the field are miles clear of the rest on ratings so whilst there are no doubt some improvers lurking below, he should have what it takes to be running extremely competitively.VAUBAN, Race 8, 2400m, 4.35pm, T Clark, 59kgVauban gave us all a big thrill when winning first-up over 2000 metres at this track. He’s bounced through that run in terrific order, and whilst he has his quirks his ability is unquestionable and he keeps delivering time after time. This is a step up in grade and he’s taking on some weight for age superstars, so it’s definitely going to require a lot more. However, he’s entitled to improve second-up and he’ll relish the 2400 metres so there are no concerns there. There’s no obvious speed influence in the race so it’ll be interesting to see how it plays out in the early stages, but he’s drawn well in barrier 4 so Tim should have the option to land in the first couple of pairs and race close enough to the speed. From there he should be able to travel comfortably in the run, and if he can build momentum at the right time he should have his chance. This is a terrific race and Aeliana will be hard to beat, but nothing’s impossible and we’ve no doubt he’ll pin his ears back and do everything he can to upset the party.SATURDAY 28th MARCH - FLEMINGTONRail Position: TrueJUST FINE, Race 8, 2000m, 4.15pm, J Childs, 59kgJust Fine is thriving ahead of this run. He’s taken the journey to Flemington in his stride, and he’s settled in without a care in the world so he couldn’t be in a better frame of mind ahead of race day. His last victory came over 2500 metres at this track with Jordan aboard, so we know he’s capable of delivering at this venue and we’re thrilled Jordan can reunite with him. He ran an excellent race to finish third in the Group 3 Sky High Stakes last time, and he’s taken further improvement from it so he is ready to peak third-up in what’s likely to be quite a high pressure 2000 metre race. He’s drawn to the outside in barrier 11 but there’s a very long run to the first turn and Pride Of Jenni is to his inside, so Jordan will have plenty of time to hopefully go forward and get across the field to secure a prominent position in behind her if she adopts her familiar front running tactics. This is a highly competitive race as you’d expect for the money on offer, but he deserves his place in the lineup and if he can present with a good turn of foot at the top of the straight we hope he’ll make his presence felt in the run to the line.SATURDAY 28th MARCH - MORPHETTVILLERail Position: +6m Entire, Sectional 608mKAKADU SUNSET, Race 9, 1600m, 4.37pm, J Stanley, 55kgKakadu Sunset is delighting us ahead of this run. She’s taken everything in her stride since travelling to Flemington and onto Adelaide, and her brilliant temperament is going to take her a long way. Last week’s jumpout was excellent, and the winkers suited her so she retains them for race day to ensure she’s as sharp and focused as possible. This jumpout has also kept her fitness up to the mark between runs, as we’re conscious she’s second-up over the mile so we want her to be as fit as possible. She’s drawn to do no work in barrier 1, and Jett rides our horses very effectively so he’ll be positive from there to try and land in a forward position where she can race on or close to the speed. This is a very good opportunity for her to gain some valuable Black Type but it’s not been missed by other trainers, as it’s a big field and she’s got a bit to find on the ratings with a few above her. However, she’s still lightly raced and she’s got further upside so we expect her to rise to the challenge and be fighting out the finish.SATURDAY 28th MARCH - WYONGRail Position: TrueWISHFUL THINKER, Race 6, 1350m, 4.20pm, Z Wadick (1.5kg), 58kgWishful Thinker ran creditably when resuming at Kembla earlier this month. It was a heavy track which just stretched his stamina to its limit first-up, so he understandably got a little tired in the final furlong. However, he’s come through the run in great shape and he’s taken plenty of benefit from it, so he strips much fitter here and whilst going almost four weeks between runs isn’t out usual preference, our hand was somewhat forced by the abandonment of Gosford last week. He stretches out in trip slightly to 1350 metres which we expect to be within range, and this tight turning track places an emphasis on speed which will play to his strengths. He’s drawn well in barrier 5 so Zac should be able to use his speed to go forward and control the race to suit himself, and with improvement to come off the back of his first-up run we expect him to be right in this.
