COLGATE OPTIC WHITE STAKES 2019 PREVIEW
RANDWICK RACE 7 – 16:15 AEST
OPEN GROUP 1
1600m
$500,000
HEAVY 9
Rail TRUE
| # | Form | Horse | Trainer | Jockey (barrier) | Weight (kg) | Current Price |
| 1 | 284x2 | HAPPY CLAPPER | P WEBSTER | G BOSS (4) | 59.0 | $6.50 |
| 2 | 11x42 | AVILIUS | JAMES CUMMINGS | K MCEVOY (8) | 59.0 | $3.20 |
| 3 | 132x1 | DREAMFORCE | J P THOMSPON | N RAWILLER (1) | 59.0 | $4.50 |
| 4 | 15x11 | SAMADOUBT | B BAKER | TIM CLARK (10) | 59.0 | $6.50 |
| 5 | 124x0 | LIFE LESS ORDINARY | C WALLER | J R COLLETT (9) | 59.0 | $46 |
| 6 | 41050 | MR MARATHON MAN | M MORONEY | M ZAHRA (7) | 59.0 | $51 |
| 7 | 511x6 | ANGEL OF TRUTH | G MARKWELL | L CURRIE (3) | 58.5 | $31 |
| 8 | 237x5 | DANZDANZDANCE | CHRISTOPHER GIBBS & MICHELLE BRADLEY | TOMMY BERRY (5) | 57.0 | $15 |
| 9 | 59x87 | YOUNGSTAR | C WALLER | B AVDULLA (2) | 57.0 | $31 |
| 10 | x16x4 | CON TE PARTIRO | G WATERHOUSE & A BOTT | S CLIPERTON (11) | 57.0 | $41 |
| 11 | 111x9 | VERRY ELLEEGANT | C WALLER | J B MC DONALD (6) | 56.5 | $6.50 |
OVERVIEW
The Colgate Optic White Stakes (formerly the George Main Stakes) looks to be a much more open affair than recent years, with Winx winning the past 3 editions of the race at short odds. Unlikely Group 1 winner Samadoubt is shooting for three wins in a row, but there is a number of quality runners ready to rain on his parade.
SPEED MAP
Doesn’t look to be many frontrunners in the race, however the two noted on-pacers in the race like to set a hectic speed out in front which should make it an interesting race! Dreamforce will use the inside barrier to his advantage and it’s likely that Samadoubt will also aim for the lead in the early stages and try to run them into the ground. Apart from them, there’s a severe lack of speed in the race.
KEY RUNNERS
The old war horse Happy Clapper is now a 9-year-old, but he’s still got it! Hasn’t had a winner in the past 12 months but has three notable seconds to his name. Flashed at Samadoubt first up for second in what was a quality return over a distance short of his best. Has trialled well since that run and should be ready to fire at 1600m second up.
Avilius has returned well again this prep and raced solidly at Randwick both times. Unfortunately for backers, Samadoubt has been a runaway train of late and has stolen two Group races. I doubt they let Samadoubt get away with that a third time, which should set the race up beautifully for Avilius. No issue with the wet and should be very hard to beat.
Has been quite literally a runaway train this prep, running his rivals into the ground on the back of some excellent work by Tim Clark, who has ridden the Bjorn Baker trained gelding beautifully this prep. Hard to knock winning form and if he gets left alone in front again it could be a similar story to the last two starts.
BLUEY’S PICK
This race looks to be dominated by the first four runners, but I think Avilius can get the best of them on the back of a strong tempo from Dreamforce & Samadoubt. Gaining fitness with each run and should be primed third up at 1600m. Looks a great chance in this race.
