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BLACKBOOKERS & TRIALS
Our Blackbook service provides punters with a great way to keep tabs on horses to follow. Remember you can always click on a horse from the Racing And Sports Database to blackbook it or go straight to our Blackbook section and maintain your stable runners there.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Blackbookers
While most eyes were on stablemate Long John who was busy stamping himself as top line Caulfield Guineas contender, San Diego was rattling on home and putting himself in line for big Spring prizes. He powered to the line, under penalty, returning clearly the second best performance in the race and best of all he looks sure to build on it when he gets to the mile and beyond. Lead ups to the Spring Champion and/or Derby are likely on the agenda now and he is sure to be a major player wherever he goes.
While it was hard to miss his eye catching performance last weekend, the improvement Hawkspur has made since his Brisbane Winter campaign has been quite scary. He's gone from beating a mediocre Derby field to streaking Group 1 winners at Weight For Age and given he did it against an obvious on-pace bias his victory was even more impressive. It took 10 starts before he collected his maiden victory and it now appears he is well in line to tackle the big players during the Spring carnival. Races like the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup are well on his radar and depending which way Waller heads with him we expect him to be competitive throughout.
Triallers
Arabian Gold - Monday 9 September @ Randwick
This filly could not have been more impressive in a recent trial, her ability to pick up Toydini and put him away with ease was something special. While renowned as a wet tracker, she has only ever been seen on anything better than slow twice and on one of those occasions she beat the Listed Keith Mackay Quality victor Everage by five lengths. Although it is only trial form, she does appear to have made further improvement off a let-up and given we have seen Stamina come out and frank the form we think this filly can go on and take the next time in the Spring.
Eligible Blackbookers Racing This Weekend
Some of the recent runners that have been Blackbooked by us are engaged this weekend and we think should be included in your punting thoughts.
MR1 - 6 Godiva Rock (off the trial)
Trialled nicely at Cranbourne and might have needed the run first up at Sale. Her efforts in the Autumn against the best of her 2yo generation were top drawer through the Blue Diamond. Only question now is was that good enough form now six months older.
MR6 - 6 Lidari
How could you not be impressed by the way he finished off at Caulfield on 31 August. He must have impressed Peter Moody to go straight into this Group 2 race second up. It’s an obvious step up but perhaps he’s going that well, the owners are sussing him out for a tilt at the big one in October. A shame he’s against our next blackbooker.
MR6 - 8 Super Cool
As we said for our Front Page Special, this is a horse who just keeps raising the bar after winning the Vase at this track as a 3yo, he’d take the Australian Cup as well in the Autumn. He was so good coming from near the rear in the Memsie and we’re happy to be on him in the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes.
SR4 - 1 Ecuador
Gai Waterhouse has this bloke flying. He gapped them at Canterbury and could well do that again as he is hitting the line with gusto. Every little bit of ground suits by the great High Chaparral and a Metrop is not out of the question. Gai has a habit of winning them. He is a tad short though this weekend.
Photo by Racing and Sports
SR7 - 10 Drago
Admittedly it is in the tough Golden Rose but the Anthony Cummings 3yo impressed first up and can only improve when upped in trip. With longer races as the focus, perhaps he will need plenty of luck but he will be flashing home and needs to go into all multiples.
SR8 - 2 Pelicano
Pelicano was excellent in a fast run race behind Ibicenco a fortnight back. That was on the back of another top run in the Aurie’s Star. 2000m seems far more his go and he’s already a winner over this course and distance. The firmer track won’t harm him either. Good odds on Saturday.
