The feature Listed Christmas Stakes over 1200m at Caulfield this afternoon has assembled a handy field of summer sprinters headed in the weights by last year’s winner Zedi Knight.
The son of Zeditave carried 57.5 kgs to a clear win last year but rises to 60kgs this afternoon coming into the race fresh up off a 249 day break.
However adjusted Timeform ratings suggest Alpha Proxima (Timeform rated 107) who was unplaced behind Zedi Knight last year has a slight edge over his rivals this afternoon.
The now seven-year-old has raced twice since a spell both efforts over 1000m bringing him on fitness wise for this afternoon’s assignment.
First up in a scamper around Moonee Valley he was finishing best of all running second to the handy Kulgrinda performing six pounds off his peak rating.
Then last start behind the talented Catapulted he was never on the track covering extra ground throughout before fading to fourth.
The handsome grey sprinter’s record third up is strong winning twice from four attempts in that state and I like the fact accomplished heavyweight rider Steve Arnold will take the ride this afternoon.
Arnold has an impressive record in the Christmas Stakes winning the race three times since 2000, the last aboard Grand Duels in 2010.
Alpha Proxima “maps” well for the speed in the race and should get a lovely run. A return to his peak Timeform rating will see him right in the finish.
With the scratching of Bonnie Mac, the main dangers now appear to be Sea Lord and Youbolt.
The former Sydney trained Sea Lord (Timeform rated 107) has been a model of consistency since moving to Victoria winning three of his six starts for the Stephen Brown stable.
While all of those wins have come at 1200m at Moonee Valley it would be unwise to dismiss him this afternoon at Caulfield.
The gelding has not raced for 50 days since finishing unplaced behind Pretentious over 1200m at Flemington in Listed company down the straight rating several pounds below his best.
However at his start prior he was a narrow winner at the Valley just holding out Big Buddie and a repeat of that Timeform rating will be required if he is to take a hand in proceedings.
Sea Lord shows plenty of speed in his races and he will race handy again from barrier four.
The well travelled Youbolt is an interesting runner. In the last twelve months he has raced in South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and Northern Territory.Blessed with early speed, Youbolt has raced twice since a spell, resuming in Adelaide then last time out at Flemington.
Fresh up wearing blinkers again he sat handy before battling strongly for third at Morphettville over 1000m, then last time out showed plenty of speed down the straight at Flemington over 1200m before finishing fourth to Adamantium.
Senior rider Dean Yendall will take the ride this afternoon and with Youbolt fitter for recent runs, the gelding looks well placed.
The “smokey” in the race looks to be Veewap. On first glance the race might seem a shade short for this Timeform rated 110 galloper, but given there does look to be plenty of pressure up front, it would not surprise to see Veewap close the race off hard.
A glance at his fresh runs last campaign read well for a race like this particularly on his home track.
Fresh up last time out he was just over a length from Broken over 1000m at Moonee Valley then fourth to We’re Gonna Rock over 1200m in the G3 Bobbie Lewis at Flemington.The key to his chances will be the early speed but the way the race maps, there should be a good gallop up front to enable him to get into the finish.
Both Zedi Knight and Elusive Touch round out the main chances in what promises to be an interesting renewal.
Enjoy the race.
