The carnival kicked off superbly last week.
This weekend's card features another 6 Black Type races, including the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes for fillies and mares.
This year's edition of the Sangster features previous winners and some group 1 debutants.
It should be a great race. The favourite September Run has been holding firm in the market and is looking for back-to-back Group 1 wins.
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At the time of writing, the track is rated a Soft 6.
The rain is currently pouring down as I write in my office, 5 minutes down the road from the track.
There’s more rain forecasted on Saturday morning so I can’t see an upgrade happening.
The rail is in the true and we only had 3 races on the main track last week.
The track should be holding up fine.
Any bias will be all dependent on how much rain we get in the lead up to the race though, and how much the earlier races chop the track up.
I am preparing for it to play evenly, but should the track chop up, winners will be coming down the outside.
The Map
There will be a good tempo in the race. All Banter is a natural leader while So You Assume and Snapdancer both have good early speed. The latter two are drawn wide and will push forward.
Group 3 winner Bella Vella led all the way first up, but with the extra speed in this race, she will get the gun run in behind the speed. If she peels at the right time she will have the first crack at them in the straight
September Run has drawn perfectly and Craig Williams has the option to sit forward of midfield if he chooses to do so.
The Early Favourite - September Run $4.50
September Run is coming into this race with the best form and as arguably the best horse in this field.
Her last 7 runs have all been at group level and her worst result was being 4.7 lengths off Nature Strip, the best sprinter in the world.
She’s had two runs this prep which includes a very nice third in the Newmarket Handicap and then a brilliant Group 1 win in the William Reid at Moonee Valley.
That win in the William Reid is as good as it gets at the Valley with not many horses able to come from the back there to win big races.
It’s very hard to knock her form, this is easier than her first two runs this prep and she should be winning this.
Best Racing Tips
Outside of September Run as the top pick, Argentia who is making her Group 1 debut, is over the odds.
One of the 3YO’s in the field, her three runs this prep have been brilliant and I think she is ready to make the step up to this level.
There are big wraps on this filly and whilst 1200m may not 100% suit, I think she has enough speed to be running at them late down the middle of the track.
She was 2nd to Barb Raider last start, who last week ran a massive race to finish 2nd in the Oaks.
I think this girl is going to be a star and finds a winnable Group 1 debut race.
Bella Nipotina never runs a bad race over the 1200m and is coming off a Group 2 win in the Sapphire Stakes.
That win was on a Heavy 10, so any rain will do her chances no harm, and enters this race rock hard fit.
Her 1200m runs last prep were top-notch. This included a Group 3 win, just going down in the Manikato, and a 3rd placing behind Nature Strip.
She is a very consistent horse and you just can’t knock her form over 1200m.