RACING PREVIEW 14/10/23
THE EVEREST
1200m WFA
OVERVIEW
Whilst not a vintage edition, this year’s race looks spirited in terms of betting with many horses capable of being in the finish. Private Eye looks the one for me after resuming with a bang in The Shorts. He sat wide on a soft tempo albeit, but he unleashed with a scintillating turn of speed, clocking 32.64 for his final 600m to defeat a game Overpass. Trialed up well in the interim and will be improved second up and at 1200m. I cannot see him running poorly after going so close in this race last year.
His stablemate Think About It currently holds favoritism and I see him as the danger. Just a winner this horse and whilst he comes through what I think is the weaker lead up, he still got the job done and I think takes significant improvement into raceday. Gets a good run again here from the draw and sure to run well.
In Secret the one I want to make a case for at double figures. I was super keen on her chances before the barrier draw where she drew the extreme outside. This looks a real target for her third up for the camp who have always known this was her grand final. Has been super in two runs back over unsuitable trips. 1200m suits and she gets the services of Purton. Very interesting to see what they do from the draw. I would love to see her go forward, but even if she drops out, she is flying and can round them up. I was glad to see some support for earlier in the week $21-$11. Think around her right price now but a winning hope.
A distinct lack of speed in this year's race which sees the market give a strong hope to the only leader in Overpass. If anything, I think he has to go faster to be any hope because there are horses with significantly better turns of foot to his. I Wish I Win comes up with the inside so will need luck at the right time. Again, I think he’s about his right price but if he brought his TJ win here you could mark him a lot shorter. I give little hope to anything else. Cylinder gets the perfect run but I don’t think he’s good enough and I really want to gap him in this race. Have him marked double his current quote. Espiona I couldn’t have, likewise Hawaii Five Oh. Buenos Noches completely airborne but would need to elevate.
VERDICT
Three hopes in the race for me. I think Proven Thoroughbreds have a strong hand with their two sprinters in Private Eye and Think About It. Joe Pride’s a freak and he’ll have them primed on the day. After what they both produced first up, I think that’s a scary proposition for their rivals. I want to make both winners. In Secret the knockout. I think she’s been slightly under the radar so far this prep after two super runs where she’s had excuses. If they are finding the lanes out wide she’s right in the race.
BACKING PRIVATE EYE, THINK ABOUT IT & IN SECRET
SATURDAY SET -
Caulfield Race 3 – 5. GREY RIVER – I want to be against Red Card despite the dominant SP last start. This mare returned super in Adelaide running time over the 1100m. Respected by the market when last seen in Melbourne and ran some nice races against good opposition. Maps to stalk the favourite and will be stronger late.
Caulfield Race 9 –1. MILITARIZE – Star galloper who I think is a legitimate Cox Plate contender. Looking for the mile now and with any sort of ride, think he’s too good for these.
Randwick Race 3 – 4. ARCTIC GLAMOUR – Superb return when defying track pattern to record best of the day closing sectionals. 1400m to her advantage now and just considerable upside compared to her opposition. Best in Sydney.
Randwick Race 4 – 8. SNOWMAN & 16. PORT LOCKROY – Snowman brings the different form here and shown to run the 1800m out strongly last start. Port Lockroy I think simply over the odds after running well in the Dulcify.
