Today’s renewal does not have any of the highly rated international raiders set to invade this town, but it does contain some key locals.
HOMESMAN ($2.50) may be a former international, but he’s been here for more than a year now and is firmly entrenched with Lloyd Williams at Macedon Lodge.
He’s now the fourth favourite at $9.00 for the $5 million W. S. Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on October 26.
Last year he was a brave winner of this race beating Japanese invader Tosen Basil, before going on to be beaten just a head in the Caulfield Cup behind Godolphin’s Best Solution.
He was given the autumn off and returned with a stunning and dominant win in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley three weeks ago.
He tackles this Underwood Stakes today from a wide barrier, but given the quality and class of his Feehan win, one thinks fitness won’t be a query.
Ultimately the awkward barrier (12) may determine his fate.
On paper there looks to be genuine speed with go-forward horses GAILO CHOP ($51) and TRAP FOR FOOLS ($41) likely to both be looking for the lead.
HOMESMAN is also a go-forward horse and finding a suitable gap to slot-in early could be the difference between getting the perfect run and winning, or being caught wide and in trouble.
I suspect with the genuine speed and with other horses like HARTNELL ($5.00) from barrier one and dual Australian Cup winner HARLEM ($81) pressing forward, gaps should appear.
If that happens HOMESMAN will win again simply because he has the class and ability superior to his rivals.
‘Old’ HARTNELL is having another wonderful season and from the good barrier this week he looks the danger.
He has run fourth in the Memsie Stakes and fourth in the Makybe Diva at his past two starts. The riding tactics last time when he went back early have also been questioned since.
From gate one champion Sydney-based rider Hugh Bowman, replacing Craig Williams, will be looking for a spot right behind the speed.
This should ensure he is in a striking position coming to the turn and then it just comes down to whether he’s good enough.
WA galloper GATTING ($4.80) caused a huge upset when winning the Group 1 Makybe Diva at Flemington, but he won’t be long odds today.
His Perth form has been outstanding and his effort last time cannot be underestimated.
Again he is drawn a decent gate and should get the run of the race just off the speed.
New Zealand import THE CHOSEN ONE ($12) is an intriguing runner.
He ran fourth in the ATC Derby in the autumn before winning the Group 3 Packer Plate.
He returned in the Feehan when luckless and still ran fifth – just 2.9 lengths behind HOMESMAN.
THE CHOSEN ONE looks to be a real improver and a quality galloper, and while he will be better suited over further as the Spring progresses, watch out for him today.
Also, expect improvement from HARLEM at the massive odds as he will press forward today and never really fires until he gets out in distance.
Quality mare KENEDNA ($12) is the other runner who could figure from a low gate.
For mine they all have to beat HOMESMAN again, but his wide gate is a query and luck in the first 300-metres could well determine his finishing position.
For that reason I’ll be throwing a few more in the Quaddie – HARTNELL, GATTING and THE CHOSEN ONE.
Good luck!
