GALAXY 2021 PREVIEW
3YO+ OPEN HANDICAP
1100m
$700,000
HEAVY 8
Rail +3m entire
OVERVIEW
The Group 1 Galaxy for the sprinters rounds out the five Group 1’s on Golden Slipper Day from Rosehill. A field of 14 speedsters are set to scorch the turf over 1100m in what looks a very open contest in early betting. We’re on a HEAVY 8 at time of writing but it is on the improve. By this stage of the day we will know of any established track patterns, so monitor for any advantages as the day progresses.
SPEED MAP
Speed galore here as you would expect but there are a number of horses who do their racing on speed so there could be an early scrimmage. EDUARDO is a very speedy customer so I’d expect him to win that early battle stepping up from 1000m. FABERGINO can go with him with THE ODYSSEY pushing forward from a wide gate. HAUT BRION HER should follow Eduardo across to settle handy with TAILLEUR and JONKER. Awkward draw for WILD RULER. Not sure what they do with him as he could easily be caught deep early here if they decide to press on. JUNGLE EDGE out sped and midfield with BELLA VELLA, EASY EDDIE and SPLINTEX who has fared poorly at this week’s draw. DIRTY WORK and FIESTA will see them all.
KEY RUNNERS
- HAUT BRION HER ($5.00) James McDonald/Chris Waller (7)
She’s an absolute beauty this mare and I’m keen to be in her corner 1st up. Went to a new level last time I feel, winning the Sheraco 1st up before venturing into an Everest where she was absolutely huge riding a brutal lead speed (11.5 lengths fast to the 600m) and sticking on for 5th, downing key rival Eduardo in the process. Narrowly edged out by Gytrash at her next run at 1300m but had announced herself as a class sprinter. Has trialed up exceptionally for this first up assignment which Waller has long stated has been her target. I like that she attacks it fresh as it is when she seems to race best and her record on wet ground is strong. If there’s one knock it’s that all of her form is at 1200m, but if this is a fast run race as I expect it could turn into a real slog, and a horse like her who will be strong at the end may be advantaged. I think she’s the best horse in the race so firmly in her camp here.
- TAILLEUR ($4.60) Rachel King/James Cummings (6)
Looks the horse with the strongest set-up in the race does Tailleur, who’s up and running, gets in light with just 51kg, and is an absolute swimmer. Had a strong preparation to date, with her latest run a dominant one act affair in the Group 3 Triscay where she made every post a winner out in front, carrying a dominant $1.35 SP to her name to boot. Has trialed in the interim where she cruised through her gears over the 800m in a very stylish piece of work. Profiles very similar to a mare like In Her Time who won this race a few years ago. Just continually improving. Has been well found in early markets with the opening price of $11 (last week) now slashed into $4.60 favourite. The $11 looked a bet but I want to take her on as favourite. This is a whole new world for her in terms of race shape. Her entire career to date has been dominated by slowly run races, a nice platform for her to showcase the big turn of foot that she possesses that can also be enhanced on wet tracks. This is not likely to be run at an average tempo, so how she copes with that early pressure and if she can still sprint off it will be the telling factor in determining her winning chances. Like I said she’s a horse with big potential on the upward curve but she looks rock bottom now.
- DIRTY WORK ($14) Tommy Berry/Team Hawkes (12)
Looks over the odds. Should have arguably won the Oakleigh Plate fresh carrying 57kg. Ticked over with a trial since where he looked to be bolting so think he lines up here with a strong chance 2nd up. Can easily be tied into a horse like Eduardo through last preparation where he SP’ed shorter than him in the Group 2 Shorts. Also has a $6 SP to his name in the Group 1 Manikato from back in the Spring. His wet form is slightly questionable, having never seen a bottomless track but he has some big figures on soft ground so an improving track helps him. Also think it’s a much better draw for him this week being drawn out rather than the paint. Underrated sprinter who will be the one charging at them late so I want him on my side at the price.
STRATEGY
HAUT BRION HER & DIRTY WORK
Siding with Haut Brion Her for the reasons outlined. Goes like a jet fresh and I just have to be on her with the way she’s trialed. Looks to have come back even better and this preparation may be the making of her. Maps well to just camp in behind a good speed with James McDonald to do the steering and I think she can be the strongest late. Will make Dirty Work a result also. Speculating slightly that’ll he get through the going but he looks a big price.
GOOD LUCK PUNTERS!
