CANTALA STAKES 2019 PREVIEW
FLEMINGTON RACE 8 – 16:35 AEDT
OPEN G1
1600m
$2,000,000
GOOD 4
Rail TRUE entire
| # | Form | Horse | Trainer | Jockey (barrier) | Weight (kg) | Current Price |
| 1 | 73803 | BEST OF DAYS | JAMES CUMMINGS | J DOYLE (14) | 57.0 | $20 |
| 2 | 460x5 | LAND OF PLENTY | P & P SNOWDEN | BEN ALLEN (1) | 57.0 | $35 |
| 3 | x6768 | FIFTY STARS | D & B HAYES & T DABERNIG | M ZAHRA (3) | 56.5 | $19 |
| 4 | 4x033 | LIFE LESS ORDINARY | C WALLER | H BOWMAN (19) | 56.5 | $20 |
| 5 | 11x3 | ROYAL MEETING | S SUROOR | D DUNN (16) | 56.5 | $11 |
| 6 | 20x21 | FIERCE IMPACT | M SMITH | C WILLIAMS (17) | 56.0 | $8 |
| 7 | 20662 | CLIFF'S EDGE | C MAHER & D EUSTACE | J ALLEN (2) | 55.5 | $14 |
| 8 | 0x592 | NIGHT'S WATCH | C WALLER | D OLIVER (9) | 55.5 | $6.50 |
| 9 | x1250 | SO SI BON | D & B HAYES & T DABERNIG | L NOLEN (15) | 55.5 | $31 |
| 10 | 50401 | STREETS OF AVALON | S NICHOLS | ZAC SPAIN (10) | 55.5 | $51 |
| 11 | 46346 | SIKANDARABAD | D & B HAYES & T DABERNIG | J M NEIL (11) | 54.5 | $17 |
| 12 | x5471 | CASCADIAN | JAMES CUMMINGS | D YENDALL (20) | 53.5 | $15 |
| 13 | x1115 | ROCK | M HAWKES | TIM CLARK (12) | 53.5 | $10 |
| 14 | 1x493 | STAR OF THE SEAS | C WALLER | M WALKER (5) | 53.5 | $10 |
| 15 | 06x01 | CHIEF IRONSIDE | D MENUISIER | S BASTER (8) | 53.0 | $12 |
| 16 | x6240 | MAHAMEDEIS | NICK RYAN | B PREBBLE (6) | 53.0 | $31 |
| 17 | 7x545 | NOIRE | C WALLER | C NEWITT (13) | 53.0 | $67 |
| 18 | 1x111 | ADMIRAL'S JOKER | K VELLA | BEN THOMPSON (18) | 53.0 | $17 |
| 19 | 3x272 | VARIATION | S MILLER | 53.0 | $46 | |
| 20 | x0301 | ICONOCLASM | D O'BRIEN | S BASTER (4) | 53.0 | $31 |
OVERVIEW
The last of the Group 1 races on Derby Day looks to be a capacity field and is set to be an absolute cracker with a wide-open field assembled. Fierce Impact got the better of a luckless Night’s Watch in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap but he will be looking to turn the tables. Lindsay Park has three chances in the race, as does Chris Waller, who saddles up three main chances plus an emergency in the race. Overseas runner Royal Meeting adds intrigue.
SPEED MAP
A high-pressure race can be expected here with the speedy Cliff’s Edge set to lead them away from an inside barrier. Streets of Avalon is also likely to contest the lead ahead of a number of runners including Royal Meeting, Best of Days and Iconoclasm. Fierce Impact draws awkwardly and will need luck. Night’s Watch has been luckless this prep and will need a change of fortune to weave his way through.
KEY RUNNERS
- ROYAL MEETING ($11)
Very interesting overseas runner who has only had the three career starts to date. Scored by half a length on debut before going for a quick freshen and subsequently taking out a Group 1 race at Chantilly the following start. Had every chance to win first up but seemed a little underdone. Looks an improver.
- FIERCE IMPACT ($8)
Talented runner who is racing in super form at the moment, finishing narrowly behind Kolding in his first up run before going to Caulfield and putting his rivals to the sword in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap. He was 8L back there, before putting in a barnstorming run to finish over the top of them. Looks talented and rightfully one of the favourites.
- NIGHT’S WATCH ($6.50)
Racing well this prep without luck. First up was held up for a run during the straight at Caulfield before travelling to Flemington for the Group 1 Makybe Diva when given too much to do. Was defeated last start by the aforementioned Fierce Impact but was again held up during the straight. Deserves some luck and maybe this is the race it all goes right
BLUEY’S PICK
- ROYAL MEETING ($11)
This race is wide open, with $6.50 the field at the time of writing so I’m keen to take on a bit of value. I think the x-factor in the race comes through Royal Meeting who can launch off his first up third at Caulfield. That was his first run in over a year and he should improve strongly on the back of that run.
