Talented galloper Sir John appears well placed to notch up his second career victory when he lines up in the last race at Gosford today.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Stepping out at just his sixth career start, Sir John has showed a lot of early potential and surprisingly has only ever saluted the judge on one occasion, placing in another three.
Resuming in tougher mid-week company at Warwick Farm last start, Sir John was sent around the easing favourite and settled just off the speed before he worked home solidly down the outside to finish a close third behind the Jason Coyle trained Masterstroke.
His trainer Gary Portelli indicated before the race that he felt he was a bit susceptible over 1000m giving all the right signs that he should be suited by the step up in trip today.
Having finished a close third behind the progressive Secluded when racing second up last preparation at Randwick, Sir John appears very well placed racing back at the provincials and from the gun draw he should be able to position up nicely on the speed.
Adaptable to all conditions, this son of Gonski remains one of the few horses in this field on the upward spiral and is expected to take this step en-route to tougher company.
With the in-form Blake Shinn engaged expect him to be very hard to beat.
The Mark De Montfort trained Gold Bender looms as one of the main dangers in the race, as she like Sir John also drops back to provincial company after she finished fifth in the same race last start.
Having proven quite competitive in her three runs back this time in, Gold Bender has never really finished too far away in her ten career starts, with her biggest defeat coming on debut when she finished fifth behind No Looking Back beaten four-and-a-half lengths.
Much like Sir John she should be aided by the step up in trip and should be right at her peak for this, expect Corey Brown to roll forward from the good gate and if allowed any cheap sectionals in front she could prove very hard to chase down.
Coming off an impressive win when resuming last start, the Darren Smith trained Lady Gazerra also looks to have strong claims heading into this race.
Responding well with the winkers being applied for the first time, the daughter of Shamardal proved too strong when racing up on the speed, drawing away for a decisive one-and-three-quarter length victory at Hawkesbury over 1200m.
While this is a further step up today she possesses a great record at this track and you must always respect mares in-form.
From the good draw expect Christian Reith to press forward and camp just off the speed and with likely improvement expected to be made second up expect her to be right in the finish.
The Stephen Farley trained Wishwyn and the Theresa Bateup trained Anatomic round out the multiples.
Good luck and happy punting.
