Gai's Tip Sheet
FRIDAY 19th SEPTEMBER - NEWCASTLERail Position: TrueFEARN TRICK (Race 2, 1:35pm, 1400m, A Hyeronimus, 56.5kg)Fearn Trick ran a brilliant race on debut at Kembla. She did everything right and only felt the pinch inside the final 100 metres, so it was an extremely encouraging performance. As you’d expect, she’s taken plenty of natural improvement from the run and she strips fitter here so the step up to 1400 metres is a positive. She’s drawn to do no work in barrier 2, so we see no reason why she won’t roll forward once again to make her own luck on the speed. There are only two older mares in opposition so she's mostly up against her own age group which is another positive, and we expect her to take plenty of catching.FULLY LIT (Race 7, 4:40pm, 1500m, R Bayliss, 54kg)Fully Lit produced an arguably career best effort when finishing a gallant second in a Benchmark 94 Handicap at Randwick last time. He had no trouble tackling the mile for the first time, so whilst this slight drop back to 1500 metres isn’t our usual modus operandi we think he’s versatile enough to handle it. He’s up in grade again so it requires yet more from him, but he’s progressive and tries incredibly hard which will take him a long way. He’s drawn well in barrier 6 so Regan should be able to get him into a handy position, but he showed last time that he doesn’t need to lead to run well so we can adapt depending on how the race unfolds. He’s got a lovely light weight with 54kg on his back and we’re confident he’ll rise to the challenge and give this a good shake.CONVERGE (Race 7, 4:40pm, 1500m, T Clark, 56kg)Converge ran as well as could be expected first-up over an inadequate 1400 metres. He gets out in trip slightly here which will suit, but he’s still not going to hit his straps until he return to the 2000 metre range. He’s drawn a torrid barrier in 18 and he rarely shows the speed to lead, so Tim will likely have to ride him for luck so hopefully he can hit the line strongly as he continues to build towards a peak later in the campaign. FRIDAY 19th SEPTEMBER - CANBERRARail Position: +5M EntireSHE'S A DAME (Race 4, 3:10pm, 1300m, L Beuzelin, 57kg)She’s A Dame is pleasing us ahead of her first-up run. Her two trials have given her the right fitness foundation, and she’s kept on improving since her most recent hit out so she’s ready to rock and roll here. 1300 metres is a lovely starting point for her, and she’s drawn well in barrier 5 so Louis will be positive from there to try and take luck out of the equation. She ran well to finish a close third on debut at Nowra back in February so this is a very suitable starting point for her, and we expect her to be very competitive.SATURDAY 20th SEPTEMBER - RANDWICKRail Position: +7m 1600m-W/Post, +4m RemainderDOMINETTA (Race 4, 1:35pm, 1400m, T Clark, 55.5kg)Dominetta ran a fantastic race to finish third when resuming at this track a fortnight ago. We knew the 1200 metres would be on the short side for her and so it proved, but it was an excellent pipe opener and she strips a lot fitter ahead of this second-up assignment. She’ll relish stretching out to 1400 metres, and whilst barrier 13 is a bit awkward Tim will be positive from there to try and get across into a more favourable inside position. This is a competitive contest but she’s not out of place, and with plenty of natural improvement forthcoming we expect her to be right there at the finish.ELAMAZ (Race 5, 2:15pm, 2000m, J McDonald, 55kg)Elamaz is delighting us ahead of his reappearance. He made a big impression when winning the Listed McKell Cup back in June, and we had this race in mind straight away so took the opportunity to send him for a well-deserved freshen up. He’s thrived in his time out and his two trials this time in have given him the right fitness foundation with which to resume, though he’ll certainly take natural improvement from the run. He’s drawn well in barrier 6 so he should be able to roll forward from there and settle in a handy position, and whilst he led to win last time if something else wants to go quicker than him he’s versatile enough to take a sit and get a tow into the race. He’s resuming in a competitive race but he’s a talented gelding, and we expect him to be right there at the finish.VAUBAN (Race 5, 2:15pm, 2000m, T Clark, 57kg)Vauban chased hard late to finish a brilliant third when resuming in the competitive Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes. He hasn’t missed a beat since then and he’s absolutely thumping his chest at home, so he couldn’t be in better shape ahead of this second-up assignment. We know he’ll relish stepping up to 2000 metres, so this will bring about significant improvement, and he’s drawn a lovely barrier in 5 so Tim should be able to settle him where he wants to in the run depending on how the race unfolds. He’s the top-rated horse in the field so he certainly sets the standard, and he’s the one to beat.ROYAL PATRONAGE (Race 7, 3:25pm, 1400m, T Clark, 61kg)Royal Patronage is delighting us ahead of his return. His two trials have been brilliant and he’s shown all of his usual enthusiasm, so whilst things didn’t go his way in Hong Kong the experience hasn’t left a mark on him. We feel that the 1400 metres first up on his home track is the best starting point as taking on fit, weight for age horses this early in the campaign could derail us. With a couple of runs under his belt he will be in peak condition and ready for the major league. He’s won each of his last two first-up runs in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes and Group 1 Canterbury Stakes, so we know he is extremely effective when fresh which adds a lot of confidence. 61kg is a large impost but it reflects his high rating as the best horse in the field, so if he enjoys some luck in running we see no reason why he won’t be right there at the finish. REDBREAST (Race 10, 5:15pm, 1600m, T Clark, 57.5kg)Redbreast needs to bounce back from a bitterly disappointing run when resuming at Wyong. She’s come through the run in good order and we can’t fault her at home, so we’re hopeful that she just needed the outing to blow the cobwebs away. The step up to 1600 metres and return to a bigger track should suit her, and we’ve reached for the blinkers and tongue tie to try and sharpen her up and also assist her breathing. Tim will be positive from barrier 10 and we’re hopeful she’ll show a bit more early dash to be able to hold a handy position, and if she bounces back to her best on this slight drop in grade then she’ll give them a run for their money. SATURDAY 20th SEPTEMBER - CAULFIELDRail Position: +6M EntireTHE PLAYWRIGHT (Race 6, 3:05pm, 1400m, M Zahra, 58.5kg)The Playwright was a bit disappointing at The Valley last time. However, she’s not the first and certainly won’t be the last to underperform at that tricky track. Importantly, she’s come through the run in great shape and we can’t fault her at home so she’s coming into this in great shape. We’re excited to see her stretch out to 1400 metres for the first time as we think she’s crying out for it. She should be able to roll forward from barrier 11 and the slightly steadier tempo of this longer race should enable her to travel much more comfortably in the run, as she’s been chasing her tail the last twice. Mark’s one of the top Melbourne jockeys so we’re thrilled to have him aboard, and we expect her to bounce back and run a big race.SIR DELIUS (Race 7, 3:40pm, 1800m, C Williams, 59kg)Sir Delius got his preparation off to a super start when finishing a close second in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes. He’s taken plenty of improvement from that run, and he’s going to relish stretching out to 1800 metres here. He’s taken everything in his stride since heading south to our Flemington stable, and he’s a consummate professional so his fantastic demeanour is going to take him a long way as nothing is an issue for him. Craig got a lovely feel for him on Tuesday morning and couldn’t have been more impressed with him, telling me, “You’ve got a very nice horse on your hands Gai,” upon returning from his gallop which was music to my ears. He’s drawn an outside gate in 11, so Craig will have to be positive from there if he wants to get into a better position but there’s no better rider or judge of tactics than Craig so you can rest assured he’ll do his homework and know exactly where he wants to be in the run. We know he’ll ultimately be even more effective as he gets out to 2000 metres and beyond, but this race is a lovely steppingstone for him and we think it’ll take a good one to beat him so fingers crossed he can clinch Group 1 glory for us all.SATURDAY 20th SEPTEMBER - NEWCASTLERail Position: +2M EntireHOLD THE DOOR (Race 4, 2:35pm, 1250m, L Beuzelin, 56.5kg)Hold The Door is doing everything right ahead of his racecourse debut. He’s had five career trials so he’s got plenty of experience, and his two trials this time in have been encouraging enough. 1250 metres at the provincials is a lovely starting point for him because he’s bred to stay and would be outpaced over anything shorter, and he’s drawn a lovely barrier in 5 so Louis will be positive from there to try and land on or close to the speed. He’s a later maturing type so he’s only going to improve with time and as he gets out over longer trips, but he’s fit and ready to go so we hope to see him run a competitive race to get his career off to an encouraging start.REIGN OF HONOR (Race 4, 2:35pm, 1250m, Z Wadick (1.5kg), 56.5kg)Reign Of Honor is pleasing us ahead of his first career start. His two trials have been encouraging, and he’s continued to improve since his most recent one a fortnight ago. 1250 metres at the provincials is a lovely starting point for him, and Zac will be positive from barrier 9 to try and flow forward and get across so that he can race on or close to the speed. Newcastle’s an expansive track with a long home straight so he’ll have plenty of time to balance up and hit top gear, and he’s got a very willing attitude so we expect him to give this a good shake and make his presence felt.CHAMPAGNE HERO (Race 8, 5:00pm, 1400m, Z Wadick (1.5kg), 57.5kg)Champagne Hero is pleasing us ahead of his first-up run. The blinkers really switched him on in his latest trial and he’s been working well in them since, so he retains them for race day as they clearly help him and ensure he’s razor focused on the task at hand. 1400 metres is the ideal starting point for him as he’d be outpaced over anything shorter, and Newcastle’s an expansive track which is another big tick as he’ll have plenty of time to balance up and hit top stride down their long home straight. Zac will be positive from his lovely barrier in 2 to race on or close to the speed, and he takes a valuable 1.5kg off his back which is not to be sniffed at. He’s going to improve as he gets out over further deeper into his preparation, but this is a lovely race to kick things off in and we expect him to be hard to beat.SUNDAY 21st SEPTEMBER - FLEMINGTONRail Position: +14M EntireCATOGGIO (Race 8, 5:30pm, 1420m, J Stanley, 61kg)Catoggio is delighting us ahead of his return. He was excellent on the course proper on Tuesday morning and I thought he had plenty in reserve on the line, so it was exactly what I wanted to see ahead of race day. He has some terrific Stakes race form to his name as three year old, so whilst he’s got a big weight with 61kg on his back this race is a lovely starting point for him. He’s drawn to do no work in barrier 2, so Jett should be able to roll forward from there to settle on or close to the speed. He won a Listed race over course and distance last November so we know he goes well here, and we expect him to give this a good shake.
