THE KOSCIUSZKO 2019 PREVIEW
RANDWICK RACE 5 – 14:50 AEDT
OPEN
1200m
$1,300,000
GOOD 4
Rail TRUE entire
| # | Form | Horse | Trainer | Jockey (barrier) | Weight (kg) | Current Price |
| 1 | 2814x | VICTOREM | J GRAHAM | TOMMY BERRY (5) | 59.0 | $2.40 |
| 2 | 11x7x | BELFLYER | J SHELTON | A HYERONIMUS (11) | 59.0 | $27 |
| 3 | 1116x | NOBLE BOY | TODD BLOWES | H BOWMAN (4) | 59.0 | $4.80 |
| 4 | 950x7 | DON'T GIVE A DAMN | D J WILLIAMS | K MCEVOY (1) | 58.0 | $26 |
| 5 | x216x | BOBBING | B KELLY | K JENNINGS (6) | 57.5 | $20 |
| 6 | 70121 | TARBERT | J SHELTON | G BOSS (13) | 57.5 | $46 |
| 7 | 9x0x9 | SUNCRAZE | MELANIE O'GORMAN | B AVDULLA (10) | 57.0 | $31 |
| 8 | x41x5 | HANDLE THE TRUTH | K DRYDEN | N RAWILLER (7) | 57.0 | $9 |
| 9 | 12x26 | STAR BOY | B CAVANOUGH | KEAGAN LATHAM (14) | 56.5 | $31 |
| 10 | 32x16 | UP TRUMPZ | J CLEARY | M ZAHRA (12) | 56.0 | $61 |
| 11 | 2113x | AWESOME PLUCK | J GRAHAM | J PARR (8) | 55.0 | $16 |
| 12 | 12742 | NOTATION | M DALE | J B MC DONALD (9) | 54.5 | $8 |
| 13 | 11x31 | PRESS BOX | D MIRFIN | R DOLAN (3) | 53.0 | $46 |
| 14 | 5x114 | LUNA MIA | P MESSARA | TIM CLARK (2) | 53.0 | $27 |
| 15 | 22x61 | EL MO | G WILLIAMS | 56.0 | $34 | |
| 16 | 111x3 | ATTILA | S GRILLS | 57.5 | $101 | |
| 17 | 5x5x1 | INQUIRY | C MORGAN | 55.0 | $61 | |
| 18 | 820x8 | LUCCIOLA BELLE | W WILKES | 54.0 | $67 |
OVERVIEW
This year will be the second inaugural running of The Everest’s cousin – The Kosciuszko. Despite it lacking the star power of The Everest, the reward is still great for the winner with $1.3 million in the prize pool. It looks like an intriguing race this year with Noble Boy coming in winning seven of his nine career starts and Victorem bringing strong form yet again after running superbly earlier this year.
SPEED MAP
Speed looks to be moderate with a number of horses that like to be in behind the leaders; any one of these horses such as Don’t Give a Damn, Notation, Inquiry or Star Boy can take up the running. Favourite Victorem draws a middle barrier but will still need some luck to weave through the field.
KEY RUNNERS
- VICTOREM ($2.40)
Started at $4.00 in this race last year but couldn’t manage to reel them in from the back of the pack. Went up to Doomben after that and ran extremely well, finishing within 2L in all four runs. Came back even better during Autumn/Winter, finishing 4L away at Group 1 level and then winning the Bert Hinkler. Very talented horse but will need a good ride.
- NOBLE BOY ($4.80)
Supremely talented horse who is the winner of seven out of his nine career starts, the most recent being his last run, which was in June behind Victorem. He was impeded during that run however and still finished within 2.5L of Victorem. Another one who will need a good ride but looks the main danger to the favourite.
- NOTATION ($8)
Super consistent mare who hasn’t finished worse than 3L away from the winner in any of her runs since 2018. Last start finished second behind Sweet Deal at Newcastle at Group 3 level which is solid for this race. Draws out wider but should be able to cross fairly easily and could be tough to catch in the straight.
BLUEY’S PICK
- VICTOREM ($2.40)
Followed a similar path here last year, coming into the race fresh, however failed to take it out. Has only gotten better since and I think they will be keen to make amends for last year. Will need a good steer from Tommy Berry but has the most upside of any runner in this race.
