Above All finds arguably the easiest assignment he has been given since arriving in Australia on Tuesday at Queanbeyan where the five-year-old contests the Peter Turner Bookmarkers Benchmark 63 Handicap (2000m).
Photo by Racing and Sports
Now under the care of Warwick Farm-trainer David Vandyke, Above All has commenced his latest preparation well having posted two seconds from as many runs.
Both came at Kembla Grange where the five-year-old most recently slugged it out in testing conditions over 1500m against a few lightly raced types with obvious upside.
The run was awarded a Timeform figure of 80 which comes in 10 pounds below Above All’s master rating and four pounds under the Nayef gelding’s best Australian performance achieved under the care of Chris Waller.
All signs point to the perennial placegetter lifting on that figure of 80 in the Peter Turner Bookmakers Benchmark 63 Handicap (2000m).
Above All rises only marginally in weight on his latest outing in provincial company and appears to find a race of far lesser quality.
The gelding has shown during his career so far he can run respectable races settling anywhere in the field however at Queanbeyan today with barrier 1 is expected to roll forward.
Finding a clear danger to the favourite isn’t easy however Street Spirit back to her home track does possess appeal.
Street Spirit got there late last start at the Sapphire Coast in a Benchmark 68 Handicap over 2200m.
The Mick Smith-trained mare didn’t find clear space until closing in on the final furlong but once clear overpowered her rivals.
Her effort was awarded a Timeform rating of 74.
The six-year-old does need to lift on that display however should at least keep the favourite honest.
Monsieur Marceau is arguably in career best form at present and goes into this off a close second behind one of his rivals here; Ashwahgandha.
He meets Ashwahgandha better at the weights and carries 4kg less than Above All which puts him in good stead based on weight adjusted figures.
Outclassed in midweek city company last start, Magic Ivy could be a sharp improver.
Magic Ivy’s win two back at the Sapphire Coast over a mile was most determined and a return to that sort of form gives the mare genuine each way claims in this.
Outside of a standout favourite, the race is relatively open however think it will be a case of third time lucky for Above All and Vandyke.
