Hydrometer No Hobartville Hero, But Colt Should Have No Regrets After The Guineas
Illawarra Mercury
Saturday March 22, 2003
CANTERBURY
Hydrometer's second behind Thorn Park in the Hobartville was an enormous effort for a horse clearly suited over more ground.
The colt wasn't beaten far in two previous sprint events so the 1900m of the Guineas, fourth run back from a spell, should be ideal.
Although the Victorian drew barrier 10, Damien Oliver should have him in the first four going out of the straight and it wouldn't surprise to see Hydrometer skip to the lead down the back in an attempt to make the race a true staying test.
Helenus is the class horse but I'm not convinced he's in the right mental zone, especially with only one run under his girth.
Pre-start is the key with him. If he's in a stubborn mood at the gates, I'll gamble he'll overrace again and prove a handful for jockey Steven King.
Hydrometer has the race-fitness edge and Helenus can't afford to give him too big a start.
Hope Chris Munce studies the barrier draw for the Canterbury Stakes and takes note that he's drawn outside Scenic Peak (7) and Century Kid (8).
Along with Ha Ha and Fouardee, both should rush forward and give Defier a lovely trail into the race.
Defier should have won first-up at Rosehill and his second-up form is sensational. He'll win and become clear Doncaster favourite after tonight.
The slows were out for Queensland speedster Star Of Florida yesterday with some good judges doubting he'll get a strong 1100m.
That could be the case, but if he's five lengths in front with 100m to go he can afford to paddle a bit.
Rodney Quinn's too smart for that. He'll have the big chestnut on the steel until well into the straight and only get serious from there.
Hard to fathom how some price assessors had Freeze challenging Kusi for favouritism in the Skyline Stakes.
Kusi bolted in at Rosehill on debut and then ran a great second in Group One company in Melbourne last time. Freeze only ran second at a midweek Canterbury meeting and will need to have improved 10 lengths to trouble Kusi.
Resistor could be the bolter. Someone this week backed the colt in Golden Slipper markets to win $200,000.
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MOONEE VALLEY
Bel Esprit is drawn perfectly (2) to dictate the speed in the Australia Stakes with Yell likely to be camped right on his hammer.
While they look the two horses to beat in the race, I can't forget Spinning Hill's amazing effort to finish second to Choisir in the Lightning.
Choisir hugged the inside fence to score while Spinning Hill got within a length on an opposite side of the track which raced three lengths slower.
If they go quickly and she can get any sort of cover, Spinning Hill is good enough to swamp her three-year-old rivals.
Lashed is just about the best staying filly in the land and she should confirm it in the Oaks (2040m).
While most of her rivals will be experiencing new territory past 1600m, Lashed will be just getting warmed up.
Vocabulary won't be any fancy odds in the opening event, but he's pretty smart and could be on his way to Sydney if he runs as expected.
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DOOMBEN
Gold Class is the interesting runner and only has to be 90 per cent right to win the Triple M/Guinness Handicap.
Brilliant at his best, Gold Class had a throat complaint last preparation which ruined his winter carnival and forced trainer Gerald Ryan to look for a surgeon.
If the money comes in the ring, expect Gold Class to win and head south for sprint races like The Galaxy at Randwick.
Kingcidon came from last to win impressively at Eagle Farm on March 10. Although he drops back 160m and probably won't be as well suited round Doomben, the opposition isn't strong.
Gramercy makes his Brisbane debut in race four and should be just about ready to win at his third run back from a spell.
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CANBERRA
The dogs are barking Exceed And Excel in the Black Opal so don't expect a price about the big Danehill colt.
But Handsome Ransom caught the eye in a Warwick Farm barrier trial before winning easily at Canberra two weeks ago.
This race often turns up a surprise so if there's a chink in Exceed And Excel's armour, maybe Handsome Ransom's the one.
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KEMBLA GRANGE
Gai Waterhouse will play another big hand at Kembla with strong winning chances in at least four races.
The unraced Dane's Jester is the query runner in the Classic Prelude after a good second to highly-regarded stablemate How Funny in a Randwick trial.
Gate 14 is a worry but if she's as good as some reports it shouldn't pose a problem.
Dance For Glory, Blazing Bridles and Lofty Height are Waterhouse's other main chances.
Middlebrook was just beaten by Hill Of Hope at Randwick first up and that's good form for race three.
Hill Of Hope runs in race five and, despite a class rise, has winning city form on the board.
© 2003 Illawarra Mercury