Gai's Tip Sheet
FRIDAY 28th AUGUST - GEELONGRail Position: Out 8m 1700m - 800m, Out 11m RemainderYAUSON - Race 7, 3.55pm, 1347m, J Childs, 60kgYauson is training extremely well ahead of his return. His two jumpouts have been most encouraging and he was excellent when winning his latest one, so these have helped get his fitness where it needs to be. He broke his maiden on debut last preparation over 1400 metres, so 1350 metres is a good kick off point for him as he’d be vulnerable to speedier types over anything shorter. He is now taking on more seasoned and better performed horses though, so there’s every chance they may be a bit slick for him and this is very much a starting point for him en route to bigger and better things deeper into his preparation. Jordan will be positive from barrier 11 to try and sit as close to the speed as possible, and if he enjoys a smooth run in transit we hope to see him give this a good shake to get his campaign off to an encouraging start.SATURDAY 29th AUGUST - KEMBLARail Position: TrueGENTLE GIANT - Race 2, 1.15pm, 1600m, Z Wadick, 59kgGentle Giant is pleasing us ahead of his first start. He hasn’t set the world alight in his two trials, however he was sticking on nicely enough through the line at Randwick last time and these hit outs have given him the right fitness foundation. 1600 metres is a lovely starting point as he’d be vulnerable to speedier types over anything shorter, and Zac will endeavour to roll forward from barrier 4 to try and put him in the race and make his own luck accordingly. His trial form hasn’t blown us away, but he’s starting off at a realistic level with both blinkers and a tongue tie on to assist him as much as possible and horses can improve a lot under race day conditions. We will have a much clearer line on him after this outing, and we hope to see him run a big race to get his career off to an encouraging start.CONFUCIUS - Race 3, 1.50pm, 1200m, Z Wadick, 56.5kgConfucius is delighting us ahead of his first start. He has had two encouraging trials at Randwick, finishing third on both occasions, and these hit outs have given him a very good fitness base and educational grounding for 1200 metres first-up. Kembla is a very fair track that regularly suits our horses’ racing patterns, so we expect Zac to be positive early from barrier 19 to try and have him in a handy position where he can make his own luck on or close to the lead. He’s been a straightforward and professional colt thus far, and this temperament will take him a long way. He's shown us ability in his trials so we think he's capable of making his presence known in this grade, and we’re looking forward to seeing him run a very completive race for you to get his career off to an exciting start.HARRY LIME - Race 6, 3.35pm, 1400m, J Van Overmeire, 56kgHarry Lime gave us such a thrill when winning on debut at Wyong. He made his challenge widest of all in the straight and he needed every yard of the 1200 metres to prevail, but he showed a fantastic attitude and will to win which is going to take him a long way. He’s taken plenty of natural improvement from that win so he strips fitter here, and he’ll also be more streetwise and aware of what’s required of him. The first run outside of maiden grade is notoriously tricky but a Class 1 Handicap is about as steady a progression as you can get, so it’s a lovely steppingstone for him. He’s got to take on some older horses which is never easy to do, even at provincial grade, but we’re confident he’s got the ability and upside to rise to the challenge. He’s drawn to do no work in barrier 3, so Jean should be able to land in a forward position and get him travelling comfortably in the run and with even luck in running we see no reason why he won’t take a power of beating.SATURDAY 29th AUGUST - ROSEHILLRail Position: +3M Entire STEEL STRIKE - Race 5, 2.05pm, 1500m, T Clark, 58kgSteel Strike lost no admirers when finishing a close sixth at this track last time. He’s probably looking for further at this stage of the preparation so this step up to 1500 metres is a plus which should bring about more improvement, and he handles all track conditions so he’s versatile in this regard. Barrier 15 means Tim will probably have to be positive from the outset to try and get across into a more favourable position, but once he does he should be able to enjoy an even run in transit. This is a competitive race but he deserves his place in the field, and he should run another honest race.
