Gai's Tip Sheet
THURSDAY 2nd APRIL - WARWICK FARMRail Position: +9M Entire SUPER CHOICE, Race 2, 1200m, 5.45pm, J Stanley, 58kgSuper Choice is thriving ahead of his first-up run. He showed promise when finishing third on debut at Seymour last year, and he’s had plenty of time to mature since then. He’s also undergone the ultimate gear change by being gelded, so he returns two stone lighter which has been the making of him. His two jumpouts have been excellent, and he couldn’t have been more impressive when winning his most recent one so he’s as fit as can be ahead of his return. He’s drawn a lovely barrier in 2, so Jett should be able to utilise his natural speed to roll forward and land in the lead. He’s kicking off against his own age group which is always our preference so this adds further confidence, and we expect him to be hard to beat.FRIDAY 3rd APRIL - BALLARATRail Position: TrueYAUSON, Race 4, 2000m, 2.45pm, J Stanley, 58kgYauson was a bit disappointing at Sandown last week. However, he was just left flat-footed at a crucial stage and he was coming again at the line where he was ultimately only beaten by 1.81 lengths. We think he just needs to get over further, so he stretches out to 2000 metres here which he’s certainly bred to relish so we’re confident it’ll bring about improvement. Jett learned a lot about him last week so he’ll be aware that he’s capable of dropping the bridle, and he’ll ensure he keeps him honest in the run. He’ll have to do a bit of work early to get across from barrier 15 and establish himself in a forward position, but once he’s there he should be able to control things to suit himself so we hope he can take a step forward to be featuring in the finish.SATURDAY 4th APRIL - RANDWICKRail Position: TrueFEMININO, Race 2, 2000m, 1.00pm, T Clark, 56.5kgFeminino gave us such a thrill when winning the Group 3 Kembla Grange Classic last time. She won despite travelling wide without cover in the run, so her effort is worthy of extra merit, and she showed the most fantastic attitude as she simply would not be denied in the run to the line. She’s had three weeks to get over those exertions which has done her a lot of good, and her recent work has been excellent so she couldn’t be in better order ahead of this assignment. The way she kept finding the line over a mile last time suggests she’ll relish this step up to 2000 metres, and we are confident that it’ll unlock further improvement. She’s drawn an outside barrier again here but the steadier tempo of this longer race should enable Tim to work across and slot into a comfortable position towards the head of the field, and from there she should be able to relax and conserve her energy mid-race. This is competitive but she’s won the right race leading into it, and we expect her to be right there at the finish once again.CAMPALDINO, Race 3, 2600m, 1.35pm, T Clark, 59kgCampaldino was a little bit disappointing last time, but ultimately he wasn’t beaten too far. He’s got 59kg again here which doesn’t make life easy, but this is the right steppingstone to his Grand Final. All the signs at home have been positive since his latest run, and he hasn’t missed a beat so we’re hopeful he can bounce back here. He should appreciate the step up to 2600 metres, and if he can settle a bit closer to the speed it will give him less of a mountain to climb when the race starts to heat up. Tim knows him well so he’ll adapt as appropriate to try and ensure he’s best placed to strike, and we think he’s capable of reasserting himself as the dominant stayer of the autumn. MISS CHANEL, Race 6, 1400m, 3.20pm, R Bayliss, 54.5kgMiss Chanel ran her heart out to finish an agonising second at Caulfield last time. Whilst she didn’t secure the win, she more than covered her expenses and also proved what an adaptable and versatile filly she is. She’s had a lot of racing so far this preparation so we were guided by her as to what she did next after Caulfield, but upon returning to Randwick she couldn’t have been in better order and she was raring to carry on. She’s not missed a beat since then and her recent gallop was excellent, so she’s firing on all cylinders ahead of what is her biggest task to date. Regan should be able to roll forward from barrier 8 to settle on or close to the speed, and the way she kept finding over 1200 metres last time suggests 1400 metres is not only within reach, but it should also bring about further improvement. She’s had a busy preparation but this is a fantastic opportunity for her to try and gain some valuable Group 1 Black Type, so we hope she can rise to the challenge and give this a good shake.BELLAZAINE, Race 10, 1200m, 5.50pm, T Clark, 56kgBellazaine ran well for a long way first-up in the Darby Munro Stakes at Rosehill. She’s taken plenty of improvement from that run so she strips fitter here, and she was a big improver when second-up last preparation so this gives us confidence. She’s got the gate speed to roll forward from barrier 15 and get across to race on or close to the lead, and from there she should be able to travel comfortably in the middle stages and conserve some energy for the finish. She’s back against her own sex here which is always our preference, and although she's going to be seen at he best over further, with natural improvement forthcoming we hope she can make her presence known at the finish.TOMATO TOASTIE, Race 10, 1200m, 5.50pm, R Bayliss, 55kgTomato Toastie is thriving ahead of this outing. Her two trials have been excellent, and they’ve given her the right fitness grounding to kick off her preparation. Regan will be positive from barrier 13 to try and get across into a more favourable inside position, but if they kick up to her inside he’ll take a sit and slot in where she’s comfortable. She was a dual winner as a two year old and she beat some nice horses in the process, so whilst things didn’t go her way at Caulfield in the spring she is a fresh filly for the autumn which could work in her favour. We know she handles sting out of the ground so any further rain wouldn’t worry us, and whilst she’s resuming in a competitive race we think she’s capable of holding her own so we hope to see her hitting the line strongly to get her preparation off to an exciting start.STARDOM, Race 10, 1200m, 5.50pm, A Hyeronimus, 56.5kgStardom is thriving ahead of this outing. Her two trials have been excellent, and they’ve given her the right fitness grounding to kick off her preparation. She’s drawn to do no work from barrier 1, so Adam should be able to utilise her natural gate speed and race on or close to the lead. From there she should be able to get into a nice rhythm and make her own luck accordingly, and if she can get a mid-race breather it’ll certainly make her turn of foot all the more potent. She’s a dual Listed race winner over 1100 and 1200 metres so we know she’s very good on her day, and whilst she’s conceding race fitness to her main rivals she’s tuned up and ready to do herself justice so we hope to see her fighting out the finish. SATURDAY 4th APRIL - WYONGRail Position: +3M Entire BILLABONG, Race 2, 1000m, 1.55pm, L Beuzelin, 56.5kgBillabong is thriving ahead of this outing. Her two trials have been encouraging, and they’ve given her the right fitness grounding to kick off her preparation. She’s got a lot of speed, so 1000 metres first-up around this tight turning track promises to be ideal and Louis will press forward from barrier 2 to try and control the race from the front. She’s one of five three year old fillies taking on three two year olds so this looks like an excellent opportunity for her to break her maiden, and we think she will be hard to reel in.MONDAY 6th APRIL - ROSEHILLRail Position: +8m from 1000m to Winning post and 6m the remainderLOERA, Race 1, 1100m, 12.40pm, T Clark, 56.5kgLoera is delighting us ahead of her first career start. Her two trials this time in have been fantastic, and there was a lot to like about the way she won her most recent one despite racing wide throughout and covering more ground than any of her rivals. She’s debuting in town so it won’t be easy, but it’s a reflection of the regard with which we hold her in. She’s also impeccably bred, and we’re confident she’s inherited more than a little bit of mum’s ability. Tim will let her roll forward from barrier 3 to settle on or close to the speed, and from there she should be able to travel comfortably in the run. This is a lovely expansive track for her to debut at, and with even luck in running we think it’ll take a very good horse to run her down.HOLD THE DOOR, Race 2, 1400m, 1.15pm, T Clark, 58.5kgHold The Door is delighting us ahead of his first start this preparation. He took a step forward from his first trial to win his most recent one, and he’s continued to improve ever since. He’s got the gate speed to roll forward from barrier 14 and get across into a more favourable inside position, and from there he should be able to travel comfortably in the run. 1400 metres is a lovely starting point for him as he might be vulnerable over anything shorter, and Rosehill’s a wonderfully expansive track which should also play to his strengths. He’ll only improve with the benefit of a run under his belt and as he continues to get out in trip, but he’s ready to do himself justice and we expect him to be in this for a long way.HELLABELLA, Race 3, 1200m, 1.50pm, T Clark, 56.5kgHellabella ran a mighty race when resuming at Wyong, and she was oh so unlucky to be pipped in the shadows of the post. She’s taken plenty of natural improvement from that run, and we expect her to be well suited by this step up in trip and more expansive track. Tim got a terrific tune out of her last time so we’re delighted that he retains the ride here, and he’ll be positive from barrier 8 to try and get her rolling along in front once again. She’s up in grade here but it’s a lovely opportunity for her to win in town, and we think she’s capable of getting the job done.LOREAL BELLE, Race 3, 1200m, 1.50pm, R King, 56.5kgLoreal Belle ran an encouraging race on debut at Wyong. She’s taken plenty of natural improvement from that so she strips fitter here, and she’s bred to improve as she gets over ground so the step up to 1200 metres is a positive. Rosehill’s an expansive track which we also expect to suit her, and Rachel should be able to roll forward from barrier 5 to land in a prominent position where she can enjoy all the favours in the run. This is a hot enough race but she’s entitled to take a big step forward in only her second career start, so we hope she’ll be right there at the finish.LITTLE IRIS, Race 8, 1400m, 5.00pm, A Hyeronimus, 61kgLittle Iris is pleasing us ahead of this run. We gave her a short let-up after her latest run at this track, and this has enabled us to freshen her up nicely. Her recent trial at Rosehill was encouraging, and it’s got her fitness where it needs to be for this outing. She’s got a big weight here but Adam’s a natural heavyweight rider, so she’ll carry minimal deadweight in the form of lead which is always our preference. Adam will be positive from barrier 8 to get her travelling comfortably in the run, and if she can build into the race at the right time and defy the big weight we hope to see her challenging at the finish.SPANISH ARTIST, Race 8, 1400m, 5.00pm, T Clark, 59.5kgSpanish Artist gave us all such a thrill when winning so dominantly on debut at Kembla. She’s come through that run in brilliant order and her subsequent work has been excellent, so she’s certainly taken plenty of improvement from it. She’s stepping up in grade here to race in town and the first run outside of maiden grade is never easy, so we’re under no illusions as to the task she faces. She’s also taking on older mares too, but our preference is always to race against the girls where possible and this is the most suitable steppingstone for her. She’s going to relish stretching out to 1400 metres, and Rosehill’s a fantastic track which will suit her racing pattern. Tim will be positive from barrier 7 to try and repeat the front running tactics that were so successful last time, and if she can take the improvement we’ve seen to the races we hope she will be very hard to run down.MONDAY 6th APRIL - SANDOWNRail Position: +3M Entire KAKADU SUNSET, Race 4, 1600m, 2.40pm, J Stanley, 58kgKakadu Sunset has taken the journey back from Adelaide in her stride. She ran a brave race in defeat there, and she’s none the worse for her exertions. This is an easier race and whilst she’s taking on the boys, she gets her 2kg fillies’ allowance which helps. Jett will be positive once again from barrier 3 and she maps to settle just off the lead, so she should enjoy a smooth run in transit. She’s versatile regarding track conditions and we expect Sandown to suit her well, so fingers crossed she can bounce back and put herself in the finish.SATIRICALLY, Race 4, 1600m, 2.40pm, J Childs, 60kgSatirically excelled himself at Kensington last week. He had to work hard to cross and secure the lead, and he was then harried by a horse to his outside so he never got a moment’s peace. Therefore, to stick on as gamely as he did and finish just over a length from the winner was incredibly brave. He’s come through the run in great shape and taken everything in his stride since heading south to Flemington, so whilst it’s his first attempt racing the Melbourne way we think he’s got the versatility and tractability to take it in his stride. He’s drawn to the outside in barrier 12 but it’s a long run from the 1600 metre start to the first turn at Sandown, so Jordan should have plenty of time to steadily work forward and slot across the field. We expect him to be suited by the steadier tempo of this longer race, and his turn of foot should be even more effective as a result so if he keeps improving as we think he has, he’ll be hard to beat.
